Hot Cold Water Dispensers
Hot and cold water dispensers are point-of-use kitchen systems that deliver near-boiling water and cool drinking water from a dedicated faucet mounted on the sink deck. An under-sink tank connects to the cold water supply, heats a small reserve, and holds it at a set temperature. These hot cold water dispensers for kitchens differ from freestanding water coolers: there is no bottle to change, and the unit installs inside the sink cabinet with standard plumbing and a nearby electrical receptacle.
The category covers complete hot and cold water dispenser systems, separate faucets and tanks, and filtration components. Plumbers and remodelers specify them for residential kitchens, wet bars, and office break rooms where hot water is needed for drinks, cooking, and cleanup.
Hot and Cold Water Dispenser Products
Hot and cold water dispensers in this category fall into five functional groups, so a system can be specified as a single kit or assembled from a matched faucet, tank, and filter.
Complete Hot and Cold Dispenser Systems
Complete systems package a dispenser faucet with a matching under-sink tank, mounting hardware, and supply tubing. Common configurations pair a two-handle or single-lever faucet with a 2/3-gallon stainless steel tank rated at 750 watts. Kits confirm that the faucet and tank are compatible.
Hot-Only Instant Dispenser Faucets
Hot-only faucets dispense near-boiling water through a single self-closing valve. They suit kitchens that already have a filtered drinking water faucet. Instant hot water dispensers of this type mount in one deck hole and connect to a compatible tank below the sink.
Hot and Cold Dispenser Faucets
Two-function faucets deliver hot water and cool drinking water from one spout or two outlets. The hot lever closes on release, while many cold levers stay open for filling pitchers. These kitchen drinking water dispensers replace a separate filter faucet.
Hot Water Dispenser Tanks
Tanks heat and store the hot water supply for an under sink hot water dispenser. Replacement tanks connect to an existing faucet from the same manufacturer and typically include an adjustable thermostat, insulated stainless steel construction, and a plug-in power cord.
Filtration Systems and Accessories
Filtration turns the dispenser into one of several filtered water dispensing systems at the sink. Cartridge filters certified to NSF/ANSI 42 and 53 install on the cold supply ahead of the tank. A water filtration system pairs with replacement cartridges and water filter accessories to keep the setup serviced.
How It Works and Where to Use It
How the System Operates
The system taps the kitchen cold water line with a tee or adapter, then routes water to the tank and, on hot and cold models, to the cold side of the faucet. When hot water is dispensed, cold water refills the tank and the heating element restores the set temperature. If a filter is installed, water passes through the cartridge first. This flow makes hot water dispensing systems simple to service and isolate with the sink shutoff valve.
Residential Kitchens and Remodels
Kitchen hot water dispensers handle tea, coffee, instant foods, blanching, and pre-heating pots for faster boiling. In remodels, plan the faucet location alongside the main faucet, soap dispenser, and air gap so deck holes line up with the sink or countertop layout.
Offices and Break Rooms
Offices, break rooms, and wet bars use instant hot water systems for kitchens to replace kettles and countertop brewers. Size the tank to peak demand, since a common 2/3-gallon tank recovers up to about 60 cups per hour by manufacturer rating.
Key Specifications and Planning Steps
Tank and Electrical
Most residential tanks run on 115 volts and draw about 750 watts, plugging into a grounded receptacle inside the sink cabinet. Confirm the receptacle location, circuit capacity, and any local GFCI requirements before setting the tank. Adjustable thermostats commonly regulate temperature between 160°F and 210°F.
Faucet Mounting and Supply Connection
A hot water dispenser faucet typically requires a 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 inch deck hole. Mount the tank on the cabinet wall within reach of the faucet tubing. Connect to the cold supply with a tee and compression fitting; braided supply lines simplify routing around a garbage disposal.
Compliance and Water Quality
Faucets in contact with drinking water should meet NSF/ANSI 61 and NSF/ANSI 372 lead-free requirements. Where water is hard or carries sediment, a filter on the cold supply protects the tank and improves taste.
Specification | Common Configuration |
|---|---|
Tank capacity | 2/3 gallon |
Electrical | 115 V, about 750 W, plug-in cord |
Thermostat range | 160°F to 210°F, adjustable |
Recovery | Up to about 60 cups per hour (2/3-gallon tank) |
Deck hole | 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 in. |
Lead-free compliance | NSF/ANSI 61, NSF/ANSI 372 |
Filter certification | NSF/ANSI 42 and 53 |
Choosing the Right Hot and Cold Water Dispenser
When comparing hot and cold water dispensers, start with the faucet function. A hot-only faucet fits sinks that already have a filtered drinking water tap; a hot and cold faucet combines both in one fixture. Next, decide on filtration and add a cartridge system where water quality, taste, or scale is a concern. Size the tank to demand, with standard 2/3-gallon tanks covering most homes and small offices. Measure the sink cabinet to confirm space for the tank, filter, and any existing disposal. Finally, match the finish and spout style to the main kitchen faucet, and confirm the faucet and tank come from compatible product lines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I buy hot and cold water dispensers sold as a complete faucet and tank system?
Complete hot and cold water dispenser systems are listed in the Complete Hot and Cold Dispenser Systems group above. Each kit includes the faucet, an under-sink tank, mounting hardware, and supply tubing, which confirms the parts are compatible.
Which instant hot water dispensers work for kitchen remodels that need hot and cold water?
Choose a two-function faucet with a compatible tank, or a complete system. Two-function instant hot water dispensers deliver near-boiling and cool drinking water from one fixture and use a single deck hole.
Should I install a hot-only or a hot and cold faucet?
A hot-only faucet fits kitchens that already have a separate filtered drinking water faucet. A two-function hot water dispenser faucet combines both outlets and frees a deck hole when the sink layout has room for only one added fixture.
How is an under-sink dispenser different from a freestanding hot and cold water cooler?
An under sink hot water dispenser draws from the kitchen cold supply and heats water in a tank inside the sink cabinet, so there are no bottles to change. Freestanding coolers sit on the floor or counter and typically use bottled water.
Should I buy a complete system or a separate tank and faucet?
A complete system simplifies ordering and confirms the faucet and tank match. Separate parts suit replacements, such as a new tank for an existing faucet, but they must come from compatible product lines.
What size hole does a hot water dispenser faucet need?
A hot water dispenser faucet typically requires a 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 inch deck hole. Confirm the exact size in the manufacturer's installation guide before drilling the sink or countertop.
What electrical supply does the tank need?
Most residential tanks are rated at 115 volts and about 750 watts and plug into a grounded receptacle inside the sink cabinet. Place the outlet within reach of the tank cord and check local code for GFCI requirements.
How does the dispenser connect to the cold water supply?
Install a tee on the cold supply at the shutoff valve, then connect the tank inlet with the tubing or supply line the manufacturer specifies. Check every compression fitting for leaks and fill the tank with water before plugging it in.
Can a filter supply both the hot and cold sides?
Yes. A cartridge filter on the cold supply, installed ahead of the tank and the cold faucet line, filters both outlets. Look for cartridges certified to NSF/ANSI 42 and 53 for filtered water dispensing systems.
How much cabinet space does the tank need next to a garbage disposal?
Clearance depends on the tank's dimensions, so check the manufacturer's spec sheet. Mount the tank on a cabinet side wall clear of the disposal, and leave room for the filter housing and access to the shutoff valves.
How do hot and cold water dispensers for kitchens work?
Hot cold water dispensers for kitchens draw from the sink's cold supply. Water fills an under-sink tank, where an element heats it to a set temperature, and on two-function models a second line feeds the cool side of the faucet. Dispensed water is replaced and reheated automatically.
What temperature range do these systems reach, and is it adjustable?
Adjustable thermostats on instant hot water systems for kitchens commonly regulate temperature between about 160°F and 210°F. The setting is adjusted on the tank, and it may need to be lowered at high elevations, where water boils at a lower temperature.
Do kitchen drinking water dispensers need to meet lead-free standards?
Yes. Faucets on kitchen drinking water dispensers should comply with NSF/ANSI 61 and NSF/ANSI 372, which align with federal lead-free plumbing requirements. Check product documentation for both certifications.
How many cups of hot water per hour does a 2/3-gallon tank deliver?
On common hot water dispensing systems, a 2/3-gallon, 750-watt tank delivers up to about 60 cups of hot water per hour, based on manufacturer ratings. Actual recovery depends on the thermostat setting and incoming water temperature.
What maintenance does a filtered dispenser need?
Change the filter cartridge on the filter manufacturer's schedule, commonly every 6 to 8 months. Check fittings for leaks and follow the manufacturer's descaling instructions in hard-water areas.