How Much Does a Boiling, Chilled & Sparkling Water Tap Cost to Run in Australia?
Boiling, chilled and sparkling water taps are becoming an increasingly popular addition to Australian kitchens. With instant access to multiple water options from one convenient tap, they're changing the way households enjoy drinking water.
But while the convenience is undeniable, one question often comes up before purchasing:
How much does a boiling, chilled and sparkling water tap actually cost to run?
From electricity consumption to replacement filters and CO₂ cylinders, understanding the ongoing expenses can help you decide whether an all-in-one water tap is the right investment for your home.
In this guide, we'll break down the typical running costs and explain what to expect when maintaining a multifunction kitchen tap in Australia.
How Much Electricity Does a Boiling, Chilled and Sparkling Water Tap Use?
One of the biggest considerations when purchasing an all-in-one water tap is electricity consumption.
Unlike a traditional kitchen tap, a multifunction water system uses additional equipment underneath your sink to heat, chill and carbonate water.
Electricity consumption varies depending on the system, how frequently it's used and the temperature of the surrounding environment.
At Velo Water, our systems are designed to provide premium functionality while keeping everyday running costs manageable.
Velo Spark Electricity Costs
The Velo Spark 5-in-1 Digital Tap delivers filtered chilled, sparkling and ambient water, alongside everyday mains hot and cold water.
Because the system doesn't include a boiling water function, it requires significantly less electricity than models with a boiler.
Estimated electricity consumption:
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Daily consumption: 0.20–0.30 kWh
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Estimated daily cost: $0.06–$0.09
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Estimated monthly cost: $1.80–$2.70
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Estimated annual cost: $21.90–$32.85
This makes the Velo Spark an appealing choice for households that primarily want chilled and sparkling water without the additional electricity consumption of a boiling water system.
Velo Core Electricity Costs
The Velo Core 6-in-1 Digital Tap includes everything offered by the Velo Spark, with the added convenience of instant filtered boiling water.
The additional boiler naturally increases electricity consumption, as the system maintains a supply of heated water ready for immediate use.
Estimated electricity consumption:
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Daily consumption: 0.99–1.16 kWh
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Estimated daily cost: $0.30–$0.35
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Estimated monthly cost: $9.00–$10.50
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Estimated annual cost: $109.50–$127.75
The Velo Core also features an integrated energy-saving mode designed to reduce unnecessary electricity consumption during periods of lower usage.
For households that frequently boil water for tea, coffee, cooking or entertaining, the convenience of having boiling water instantly available can be particularly valuable.
Electricity estimates are based on typical usage for a small family of three and indicative Australian electricity rates. Actual costs will depend on your usage and electricity tariff.
How Much Do Replacement Water Filters Cost?
Water filtration is an essential part of maintaining a high-quality multifunction tap system.
Over time, filters collect sediment and other impurities, which is why regular replacement is important for maintaining water quality and system performance.
Velo Water systems use the Xsential QF5 filtration system, designed to:
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Reduce chlorine, unpleasant tastes and odours
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Help minimise scale build-up
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Improve water clarity through 5-micron filtration
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Maintain consistent water flow
Velo Water Filter Replacement Costs
Velo recommends replacing your water filter every six months.
A replacement QF5 filter cartridge costs $95, meaning:
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Replacement every six months: $95
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Two replacements per year: $190
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Average monthly filter cost: approximately $15.83
Filter replacement is designed to be simple, using a convenient twist-and-click mechanism.
You can find replacement cartridges and other essential items in the Velo Water accessories range.
For further information about looking after your system, visit our How It Works page.
How Much Does CO₂ Cost for a Sparkling Water Tap?
If you enjoy sparkling water, you'll also need to factor in CO₂ cylinder replacements or refills.
A sparkling water tap uses food-grade carbon dioxide to carbonate chilled filtered water, allowing you to enjoy sparkling water directly from your kitchen tap.
Unlike purchasing individual bottles of sparkling water, a built-in sparkling water system uses a refillable or exchangeable cylinder.
Velo Water CO₂ Options
Velo systems are compatible with standard 0.6L blue SodaStream-style CO₂ cylinders and suitable equivalent canisters when used with the supplied regulator.
This gives households the flexibility to source replacement cylinders from widely available suppliers.
Velo also offers CO₂ cylinder options for customers who prefer to purchase their replacements directly.
You can view available options in the Velo Water CO₂ and accessories collection.
The total cost of CO₂ will depend on how frequently you drink sparkling water, your preferred carbonation level and the cylinder replacement or exchange arrangement.
Households that drink several litres of sparkling water each day will generally replace their CO₂ cylinders more frequently than occasional sparkling water drinkers.
What Is the Total Annual Running Cost of a Multifunction Water Tap?
When calculating the ongoing cost of an all-in-one water tap, it's useful to separate predictable maintenance expenses from variable consumption costs.
Below is an example of the estimated annual costs for Velo Water systems.
| Expense | Velo Spark | Velo Core |
|---|---|---|
| Electricity | $21.90–$32.85 | $109.50–$127.75 |
| Replacement filters | $190 | $190 |
| CO₂ | Varies by usage | Varies by usage |
| Total excluding CO₂ | $211.90–$222.85 | $299.50–$317.75 |
For households using a Velo Spark, electricity and filter replacement can cost approximately $212–$223 per year, excluding CO₂.
For Velo Core households, the equivalent estimated cost is approximately $300–$318 per year, excluding CO₂.
These figures are estimates rather than guaranteed operating costs. They exclude the initial purchase price, installation, water supply charges, repairs outside warranty and other potential expenses.
Is a Boiling, Chilled and Sparkling Water Tap Cheaper Than Buying Bottled Water?
For households that regularly purchase bottled still or sparkling water, an all-in-one kitchen tap may offer an alternative worth considering.
Beyond the potential financial savings, having instant filtered water available directly from your kitchen tap can reduce the need for:
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Purchasing packs of bottled drinking water
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Storing bulky sparkling water bottles
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Repeated supermarket trips for bottled water
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Separate benchtop sparkling water appliances
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Multiple drinking water appliances cluttering your kitchen
However, whether an all-in-one tap saves money depends on how much bottled water your household currently purchases, how much water you consume and the initial cost of the system.
It's important to consider the convenience and functionality alongside the financial investment.
What Maintenance Does a Boiling, Chilled and Sparkling Tap Require?
One of the advantages of a modern multifunction water tap is that routine maintenance is generally straightforward.
For Velo Water systems, ongoing maintenance primarily involves:
1. Replacing the water filter
Replace your QF5 filter every six months to maintain filtration performance and help protect the system.
2. Replacing or refilling CO₂ cylinders
When your sparkling water carbonation begins to decrease, check whether your CO₂ cylinder needs replacing.
3. Cleaning the tap
Regularly wipe the tap with a soft, damp cloth to maintain its finish. Avoid abrasive cleaning products or harsh chemicals.
4. Ensuring adequate ventilation
Keep the required ventilation clearances around the under-sink equipment unobstructed.
For further information on installation requirements, visit the Velo Water Requirements page.
Is an All-in-One Water Tap Worth the Running Cost?
For many households, the biggest attraction of a multifunction water tap isn't necessarily saving money. It's the convenience of having multiple water options instantly available from one appliance.
Imagine starting your morning with filtered boiling water for coffee, filling your water bottle with chilled water before work, and enjoying sparkling water with dinner, all from the same kitchen tap.
A multifunction tap can simplify everyday routines while creating a cleaner, more organised kitchen benchtop.
And with predictable filter replacement costs and relatively modest electricity consumption, ongoing expenses can be easier to budget for than many buyers initially expect.
Discover the Velo Water Range
At Velo Water, we believe premium kitchen technology should be more accessible to Australian households.
That's why we offer two all-in-one kitchen tap systems, allowing you to choose the functionality that best suits your lifestyle and budget.
Velo Spark – $3,000
The Velo Spark offers five water functions from one premium digital tap:
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Filtered chilled water
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Filtered sparkling water
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Filtered ambient water
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Standard mains hot water
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Standard mains cold water
Ideal for households that want convenient filtered drinking water without requiring a boiling water function.
Velo Core – $3,600
The Velo Core delivers six water functions, including everything offered by the Velo Spark plus instant filtered boiling water.
Perfect for families, entertainers and anyone wanting the complete all-in-one kitchen water experience.
Both systems feature premium digital controls, integrated filtration and modern designs to complement a wide range of kitchens.
Ready to upgrade your kitchen?
Explore the complete Velo Water range and discover the convenience of boiling, chilled and sparkling water from one tap.
Velo Water. One tap, no limits.
