Tap Aerators: How do they work and what are the benefits?

Want to reduce your water usage, prevent splashing and save pennies without compromising your water pressure? Consider switching your traditional faucet out for a tap aerator that directs water into one powerful stream that is soft to touch and non-splashing.

If you’re scratching your head over the term “tap aerator”, continue reading our guide, which will walk you through this excellent gadget that could help transform your kitchen.

What is a tap aerator, and how do they function?

A tap aerator, also known as a flow regulator, is a gadget that aerates water via the tiny holes built into the device. Tap aerators are extremely easy to install and can be attached to your existing faucet or inside the spout of your tap.

As these devices maintain your existing tap’s water pressure, many people don’t notice the difference between a tap aerator and a traditional faucet.

However, tap aerators are significantly more water-efficient than standard models as they work by combining pressurised air and water, which is not only better for the planet but your wallet as these devices reduce your water usage by two-thirds.

Unlike traditional faucets, which allow water to gush out erratically, the nozzle in a tap aerator separates a single flow of water into several different streams to create a more substantial flow while saving on water consumption.

According to the latest research, with a tap aerator, you could reduce your water usage by up to 10 litres per minute, taking your average flow of water per minute from 18 litres to 8, and in some cases, 6 litres.

As it costs approximately £0.03p for every minute a tap is running, if you’re using your faucet constantly throughout the day, that’s a significant saving.

Given that hot water is even more expensive, as less water is dispersed, less heat energy is used, making an aerator a perfect addition to your hot water tap.

An aerator would also be an added safety feature to an instant boiling water tap by further reducing the risk of splashing, giving you further peace of mind when you want to make your hot drinks. Take a look at our sleek and efficient Instant Boiling Water Taps, which offer the luxury of hot water in an instant.

What are the benefits of tap aerators?

As tap aerators reduce water consumption, you could benefit from significant savings on your water and heating bills, especially if you’re on a meter or use hot water frequently.

These energy-efficient devices also help to lower CO2 emissions. As more of us are working from home due to the coronavirus pandemic, a tap aerator could help your household reduce its local and global footprint.

Furthermore, as tap aerators reshape water into a single, powerful stream, it reduces the volume of water dispersed, which prevents splashing and reduces faucet noise while increasing water pressure – particularly useful for homes with low water pressure.

Aerators can not only be used in the kitchen but the bathroom on showerheads and basin faucets, hot tubs, hose pipes and pond pumps, making the smart device a fine addition to your home plumbing system.

Tap aerators are also affordable and extremely easy to install and are more than often able to be screwed on by yourself.

How to install a tap aerator

Most faucet aerators can be fitted without the need for a plumber and have a screw-on design.

If your existing tap is already fitted with an aerator, turning it anticlockwise will unscrew the device, after which you can install the new aerator – turning it clockwise until it is secure.

You can check whether the aerator is fixed correctly by turning on your tap and increasing the pressure. Ensure you check whether your faucet needs a male or female aerator before installing; these are distinguished by the thread, which will be on the outside for a male fitting and inside for a female fitting aerator.

How often should a tap aerator be changed?

To prevent a build-up of limescale, you should change your tap aerator every year and make sure to clean it out regularly as the small holes can become clogged, resulting in blockages.

How often you clean your aerator will depend on how frequently you use your faucet, but we advise cleaning it out monthly to ensure it remains effective.

Regular maintenance of your faucet aerator will also extend its lifetime, meaning you will rarely need to purchase a new one.

Whenever you replace your aerator, make sure you have a firm grip on your tap and don’t exert too much force when unscrewing the device to prevent damaging your faucet.

See our range of Rose Gold Boiling Water Taps