Are smart taps worth the investment? (Kitchen | Appliances & Fixtures)

Smart appliances are taking over Sydney homes faster than magpies take over picnic tables in spring. From smart fridges that remind you to buy milk to ovens that preheat themselves before you get home, the modern kitchen is becoming a mini command centre. But one question keeps popping up among Sydney homeowners planning a kitchen renovation: “Are smart taps worth the investment?”

In short—yes, absolutely for many households. But like all good renovation decisions, it depends on how you cook, clean, and live. Let’s break it down in a way that’s practical, Sydney-specific, and easy to understand.

What Exactly is a Smart Tap?

A smart tap, sometimes called a smart faucet or touchless tap, is essentially a kitchen tap that includes advanced technology to improve hygiene, convenience, water efficiency, or safety.

Depending on the brand and model, smart taps can offer:

• Touchless operation (sensor-activated)

• Voice control through Alexa, Google Assistant, or Apple Home

• Digital temperature control

• Pre-measured dispensing (e.g., “give me 250ml of water”)

• Boiling, chilled, or sparkling water

• Water flow-monitoring and leak alerts

• Child safety locks for boiling water

• Energy-efficient heating systems

Think of it as the renovation equivalent of upgrading from a Nokia 3310 to the latest smartphone. Both make calls, but one makes life easier.

Why Smart Taps Are Becoming Popular in Sydney

Sydney households love convenience, style, and functionality, especially in the kitchen — the heart of the home. With more people cooking at home post-Covid, and with the rise of luxury, high-performance homes, smart taps are no longer just a trend—they’re becoming a standard in many premium renovations.

Here are reasons Sydney homeowners increasingly choose smart taps:

• Open-plan kitchens need modern, seamless appliances

• Busy families want faster, cleaner kitchen routines

• Energy and water costs in NSW are rising, making efficiency more important

• Sydney property buyers love tech-enhanced features, boosting resale value

• More brands are offering affordable smart tap options, not just high-end European ones

Benefits of Installing a Smart Tap in a Sydney Kitchen Renovation

1. Improved Hygiene (Goodbye Germs and Sticky Fingers)

Every Sydney parent knows the struggle: kids touching everything after eating ice cream, pets sniffing around the sink, raw chicken hands during meal prep — the kitchen tap becomes a germ magnet.

Smart taps solve this with sensor activation or voice commands, letting you turn the tap on without touching it. This is especially useful for:

• Food safety

• Preventing cross-contamination

• Faster, cleaner cooking routines

• Households with kids or pets

It’s the kind of upgrade you don’t realise you needed until you have it.

2. Water Savings (Important in NSW)

Smart taps can significantly reduce water waste through:

• Automatic shut-off

• Precise water measurement

• Optimised flow control

• Monitoring water usage

In Sydney, where water bills can bite harder than a Bondi wave in winter, these features genuinely save money over time.

3. Convenience & Time-Saving Features

Smart taps can do things your normal tap simply can’t, such as:

• Dispensing exact amounts (perfect for cooking)

• Providing instant boiling water for tea or pasta

• Giving chilled filtered water on demand

• Filling pots without lifting them

• Voice-controlled operation when your hands are full

Imagine saying:
“Hey Google, fill the pasta pot to 4 litres”
And your tap obediently gets to work.
Welcome to the future.

4. Energy Efficiency

Many smart taps use energy-efficient boilers or heating elements. Unlike old boiling water systems that run constantly, smart boiling-water taps activate only when needed. This lowers household energy consumption — great for both the environment and your electricity bill.

5. Increased Property Value

When selling in Sydney’s competitive real estate market, high-tech features stand out. Buyers love:

• Modern kitchens

• Luxury fixtures

• Time-saving appliances

• Eco-friendly upgrades

A smart tap is a small investment that contributes to a “premium kitchen feel,” which directly boosts resale value.

6. Smart Safety Features

Sydney families with young children often opt for smart taps because they offer:

• Child-proof locks for boiling water

• Anti-scald temperature caps

• Automatic shut-off

• Leak detection

Some systems can even notify your phone if there’s a leak — a lifesaver for apartment owners.

Common Types of Smart Taps in Sydney Homes

1. Sensor-Activated Smart Taps

The most affordable smart tap category. Great for hygiene and water savings.

2. Voice-Controlled Smart Taps

Works with smart home systems. Popular in new builds and premium renovations.

3. Boiling/Chilled/Sparkling Water Taps

Brands like Zip, Billi, and Grohe dominate this category in Sydney. Extremely popular in luxury kitchens.

4. Digital Temperature-Control Faucets

These offer precise temperature settings, child safety locks, and energy-efficient heating.

How Much Do Smart Taps Cost in Sydney?

Smart tap costs vary widely. A rough guide:

Type of Smart Tap Typical Price (Sydney) Sensor tap $250 – $800 Voice-controlled tap $700 – $1,500 Boiling/chilled system $2,500 – $5,000+ Premium multi-function systems $3,500 – $7,000+

Installation with a licensed plumber generally adds $200 – $600, depending on complexity.

While they’re more expensive upfront, the long-term benefits often justify the cost — especially in a high-usage kitchen.

Are Smart Taps Hard to Maintain?

Surprisingly, no. Most smart tap systems in Sydney require minimal maintenance. Typical care includes:

• Regular filter changes (for filtered water systems)

• Occasional sensor cleaning

• Annual check-ups for boiling/chilled units

Modern units are designed for durability, and replacement parts are widely available.

When Smart Taps Are Worth the Investment

Smart taps are especially worthwhile for:

• Busy families

• Frequent cooks

• Luxury kitchen renovations

• Homeowners wanting modern convenience

• Elderly residents who benefit from touchless or voice control

• Households wanting better hygiene

• Homes aiming for smart-home integration

• Apartments where water monitoring is essential

If your lifestyle benefits from speed, convenience, hygiene, or technology, smart taps are more than worth the cost.

When a Smart Tap Might Not Be Necessary

They might be “optional” if:

• You rarely cook

• You’re renovating a rental purely for tenancy turnover

• Your kitchen doesn’t have space under the sink for a boiling/chilled unit

• You’re working with a very basic budget

But even then, entry-level sensor taps still deliver excellent value.

Are Smart Taps Compatible With Sydney Kitchens?

Yes — nearly all modern smart taps are compatible with standard Sydney plumbing, but installation must be done by a licensed NSW plumber to ensure:

• Correct water pressure

• Electrical safety (for systems with boilers)

• Compliance with Australian Standards

• Warranty protection

If your kitchen renovation involves relocating plumbing or switching from a standard mixer to a multi-function smart tap, your contractor may need to adjust pipework or power supply — a normal part of many Sydney kitchen upgrades.

Final Verdict: Are Smart Taps Worth It?

For most Sydney households, smart taps are a genuinely worthwhile investment.
They offer:

• Better hygiene

• Faster, easier cooking

• Lower water and energy bills

• Extra safety

• A modern, stylish look

• Higher property value

They bring practical, everyday convenience — not just “tech for the sake of tech.”

When you consider the long-term benefits, most homeowners who install smart taps usually ask the same question afterwards:
“Why didn’t we do this sooner?”

For professional kitchen renovation advice and installation of smart taps in Sydney, visit www.mb9.com.au to learn more about kitchen renovation, bathroom renovation and laundry renovation services from MB9 Australia Pty Ltd.