Zip HydroTap Celsius Plus All-In-One Range

The previous Celsius All-In-One has been a top-selling Zip HydroTap in the residential market, driven by increasing demand for models with sparkling water. However, consumer feedback highlighted areas for improvement, particularly with sparkling water delivery and ease of use. Key challenges included enhancing the sparkling water experience to improve the intuitiveness of filtered water activation, ensuring that even first-time users can easily select their desired water option. The integration of pull-out sprayer functionality, a growing trend in the residential market, presented unique design challenges, including incorporating a pull-out sprayer within the outlet spout while accommodating separate water paths for filtered and unfiltered water, preventing hose snagging and ensuring proper retraction with the Zip Hose Management system were crucial for usability. Safety was also a primary focus, requiring innovations to prevent accidental activation of boiling water when using the pull-out sprayer.

A multi-functional team from Australia and the UK conducted a comprehensive review of the tap's design, installation, and functionality, focusing on enhancing sparkling water delivery. They identified key drivers and implemented solutions, including an aerator in the outlet spout to improve sparkling water quality, reducing spluttering and ensuring a consistent lumina flow. A new touchpad with intuitive iconography was developed for easy selection of boiling, chilled, or sparkling water, featuring antibacterial silicone for enhanced hygiene. The entire tap was redesigned to accommodate these improvements, resulting in a balanced and modern aesthetic. To address the challenge of incorporating separate water paths within the sleek gooseneck design, a patented solution was created, ensuring optimal functionality without compromising on style. Multiple prototypes were shared with key specifiers, retailers, and architects for feedback. A patented Hose Management System was also developed to manage the pull-out hose under the bench, preventing snags and ensuring smooth retraction with balanced tension. For safety, an interlock sensor was introduced to automatically disable the boiling water function when the pull-out sprayer is in use, enhancing user protection.

The re-designed HydroTap Celsius Plus All-In-One and Pull-Out models were developed to enhance the user experience by addressing consumer pain points identified in research, particularly with sparkling water delivery and pull-out functionality. Feedback has been highly positive across ANZ, US, and Europe, highlighting the improved sparkling water experience, intuitive touchpad, and innovative features. These taps also support environmental sustainability by reducing the need for single-use plastic bottles. Designed and manufactured at Zip Water’s factory in Condell Park, Sydney, they support local jobs and align with Zip’s strategy to grow the category through advanced technology that consumers value, driving positive sales and market penetration.

The HydroTap Celsius Plus All-In-One and Pull-Out models offer advanced features for enhanced performance and user experience. Both models include a patented watertight touchpad with antimicrobial protection, a boiling water safety lock, optimized mixer handle for tight spaces, and kink-resistant, color-coded hoses for improved installation. Powered by G5 technology, they feature antimicrobial protection in key water paths, 100% water-efficient air-cooled technology, and a smarter user interface with customizable settings. Additional innovations include a CO2 level indicator for sparkling models, intelligent ‘Quiet’ mode with adjustable fan speed, energy-saving settings with ON/OFF timers, and sleep modes that reduce power consumption during inactivity, including a ‘Sleep when dark’ function for added efficiency.