Touchless Faucets

Touchless Sink Faucets: What You Need to Know

Commercial automatic faucets give you incredible control over the amount and temperature of water used in every handwashing. More than that, sensor faucets enable your employees and guests to wash their hands without recontaminating themselves by turning the water on and off with a knob or handle. Complemented with automatic hand dryers, these sensor faucets make the process of handwashing significantly more sanitary than it would otherwise be.

Commercial touchless faucets are versatile, as well, with operators gaining the ability to adjust several different settings to save water and energy. Operators can set the desired mix of hot and cold water, and many models provide an adjustable mixing valve so users can adjust temperatures if they desire. Touchless faucets are usually used in handwashing sinks, so manufacturers design them to be aesthetically pleasing and fit in with different bathroom décor. Faucets with gooseneck spouts are also available for those who prefer them. Sensor faucets are typically powered by either batteries or an A/C adapter, so even if you can't connect the faucet to your grid, you can make them work.

Common Questions About Touchless Faucets

Are touchless faucets worth it?

Any commercial establishment with communal bathrooms can make good use of a touchless sink faucet. The normal sink faucets we're all familiar with have two problems touchless faucets have solved: First, hand washers must touch an unwashed surface to turn the water off after they've rinsed their hands, and second, water is wasted while users scrub their hands with soap.

Commercial touchless faucets are activated by an electronic sensor that can tell when an object has been placed in the monitored location. Employees and guests can move their hands in front of the touchless faucet and water will begin to flow. Then when the hands are removed, the water will shut off, meaning the user never has to touch the faucet itself. This reduces the number of shared surfaces a user will touch while washing his or her hands. Normal faucets require touching a handle or knob after washing to shut the water off, which means clean hands have to touch an unclean surface. Many operators choose automatic faucets specifically for this benefit.

The second main reason is to control the total amount of water being used. A thorough handwashing lasts twenty full seconds, and many users don't shut off the water during this time (especially if they aren't responsible for the water bill). Automatic faucets can be adjusted to distribute the exact amount of water necessary with each activation: the first to adequately wet hands and the second to rinse them thoroughly without wasting water. Not only does this save water, which is good for the environment, it saves you a significant amount on your water bill, which is good for your wallet.

Are touchless faucets reliable?

Like any faucet, a touchless bathroom faucet can eventually fail, but how long it lasts will be determined by the quality of the faucet and how well you maintain it. Commercial sensor faucets have fewer moving parts than a traditional handle faucet, and as such have fewer places that can wear out with overuse. On the other hand, sensors have electronic components that can malfunction, whereas traditional faucets do not. If you're worried about reliability, look for a commercial sensor faucet with a warranty so you can be sure to get value from your purchase.

Do touchless faucets need electricity?

Touchless bathroom faucets do need a source of electricity, but this can come from either batteries or a connection to your power grid. Wiring it to your building can be tricky, or it can be as simple as plugging it into a nearby outlet; however, this presents its own dangers as there will be water splashing in and around the sink. Batteries, on the other hand, will need to be changed periodically, which adds another task to your list.

How long do batteries last in touchless faucets?

A touchless kitchen faucet's batteries will typically last about a year, but this varies greatly depending on how often the faucet is being used. If you install your commercial sensor faucet in a very high-traffic restroom, the batteries may not last as long. Consult the individual product specifications page to find more specific information about the number and type of battery required to utilize the sensor faucet.