Go Green: Are Hot Water Dispensers Energy Efficient?

Last Updated on January 5, 2023

There are many benefits associated with purchasing a hot water dispenser to replace a standard electric kettle or boiling system. But are hot water dispensers energy efficient, and can they actually help businesses and consumers save money on their electricity bills?

Hot water dispensers are versatile, easy to use, and safer than most standard kettles. Plus, they’re fantastic at saving time. You can produce on-tap boiling water with your instant hot water system at the press of a button. That means people aren’t standing around waiting for the boiling process to finish. However, most individuals assume that because hot water dispensers are faster than kettles, they’re also going to be more expensive to run.

Here’s what you need to know about the energy efficiency of a standard hot water dispenser.

Do Water Dispensers Use a Lot of Energy?

Hot water dispensers use high-quality heating elements capable of boiling water a lot faster than the standard kettle. A hot water dispenser can produce near-boiling water for the perfect cup of tea in a matter of seconds.

In order to deliver rapid results, hot water dispensers do need to use a decent amount of electricity. However, the energy consumed isn’t as much as most people would assume. The exact amount of electricity you use when operating your hot water dispenser will depend on various factors, including:

• How often you use it: Hot water dispensers are best suited to busy environments where people may need to make a lot of hot water in a small amount of time. Some systems will also allow you to choose the heat of your water. The hotter you need the water to be, the more energy you’re likely to use.
• The model or unit: Some hot water dispenser models are designed to be more energy efficient than others. Advanced options include extra features and capabilities designed to minimise your electricity use.
• The age of the system: Older models of hot water dispensers typically use more energy than their modern counterparts. This is because the latest models have more efficient heating elements and components.

Do Hot Water Dispensers Consume More Electricity?

As mentioned above, these appliances use varying amounts of energy depending on how you use them. However, while you might consume a decent amount of electricity with a hot water dispenser, it can still be more efficient than the average kettle. For instance, a traditional kettle uses around 0.1 kWh of electricity to boil 1.5 litres of water for up to three minutes.

While this might not seem like a lot of energy at first, it quickly adds up if you have a huge team of people using the kettle every day. On the other hand, a standard hot water dispenser can use around 0.066kW of energy per hour while also giving consumers access to as much hot water as they need. A powerful hot water dispenser can even keep boiling water hot all day long.

In general, most hot water dispensers will use a lot less energy overall than a standard kettle, provided you’re producing hot water for multiple people.

I live in the states. I have a stove top and an electric kettle. My work has a hot water dispenser for tea. My gma always boiled water for sweet tea in a large pot to save time. It'd be 3-5 kettles vs 1 large pot. Nothing to do with voltage, just ease/availability of kitchenware.

— HannaThing (@HannaThing) March 7, 2020

Should You Turn Off a Hot Water Dispenser?

If you’re looking for a way to cut the amount of energy in your office or business, you might consider switching your hot water dispenser off when you’re not using it. While your hot water dispenser is designed to be on all day, you can turn it off at night when it’s not needed. This should reduce the amount of energy your device continues to utilise when it’s in “idle mode” and not making hot water for users.

Depending on the type of hot water dispenser you have and how it works, you can also look into other ways of cutting the costs of your electricity. For instance, some models will allow you to fill the tank with cold water first, then switch on the dispenser to fill it with hot water. This should reduce the time and energy required to heat the water up.

If you’re using the hot water dispenser significantly throughout the day, you could also consider operating it during off-peak times. This way, you’ll reduce energy consumption during periods when your electricity provider might increase the price of your energy.

Will Hot Water Dispensers Help You Cut Costs?

While these hot water dispensers use a fair amount of energy overall, they’re also typically more efficient than using a standard kettle if you’re producing significant amounts of hot water.

For the average household, a standard kettle may be a more energy-efficient option for making the occasional cup of tea. However, for a large workspace or a similar environment, a hot water dispenser can be an extremely energy-efficient choice.