Faucets go hands-free at home

We’re a culture accustomed to the idea of hands-free faucets in public places. In the restrooms of airports, restaurants and malls, we know the routine: We place our hands under the faucet, waiting for the water to flow out of the spigot. So it’s easy to imagine no-touch faucets in the bathroom and kitchen, given how more manufacturers — Delta, Hansgrohe and Kohler — have been adapting the hands-free technology for commercial-grade faucets to the home.

“It’s an accepted technology now from a timesaving standpoint and water-saving standpoint and to prevent spreading germs,” said Janice Disney, senior merchant for faucets at Home Depot.

It’s an advantage to be able to handle and wash raw food in the kitchen sink without having to touch the lever.

There are two major categories of technology used to make a faucet touchless. One uses an infrared sensor that projects an invisible beam of light. When you put your hand in front of that beam, your hand reflects the light back to the sensor, which then signals to the faucet to release the flow of water. The other is capacitive technology, which turns the spout into a proximity sensor that activates the faucet when your hand is a few inches from the spout.

But before you go handsfree, it’s important to consider the following:

The number of holes in the sink: Touchless faucets usually need only one hole. Most kitchen sinks are equipped with one hole, while bathroom sinks typically have three holes. So replacing your faucet with a hands-free model may mean having to replace your sink, too, unless you choose a model that comes with a plate that covers the other holes.

Power source: Some faucets run on short-life batteries, others on a long-term battery, while some are AC-powered and some offer the option to have access to both power sources as well as switch to manual operation. More manufacturers are moving toward providing several options, Disney said.

Auto shut-off feature: After several seconds to a couple of minutes, some faucets automatically turn themselves off, preventing water from running endlessly.

WaterSense specification: This feature means that a faucet’s maximum flow rate is set at 1.5 gallons per minute tested at a flowing pressure of 60 pounds per square inch, the common water pressure in most households. This flow rate is less than that of traditional faucets and therefore saves water — an aspect that’s especially important in California because of the ongoing drought.

Temperature setting: Find out how easily the temperature can be adjusted. Some faucets are equipped with a handle that allows you to change the temperature. For other faucets, you have to adjust the temperature beneath the sink.

Price: Touchless faucets tend to cost more than traditional faucets. Models from major brands range in price from $260 to about $615, but usually have a warranty. These are sold at kitchen and bath specialty showrooms, hardware stores and home-improvement centers. There are lesser-known brands that are available for less than $100 online.

Other costs: Consider the additional costs, such as the use of AC power and professional installation.