View Poll Results: Would you buy a simple and cheap device which easily connects your two taps into one?

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  • My bathroom has a double-tap system and I would buy your product

    1 5.00%
  • My bathroom doesn't have a double-tap system, but I would buy your product if I was going to a place where they have it

    2 10.00%
  • I got a double-tap system and I wouldn't buy your product

    13 65.00%
  • My bathroom doesn't have a double-tap system, and I would never buy your product

    1 5.00%
  • Stop spamming the forum

    4 20.00%
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Thread: Do British members of this forum hate the twin-tap system?

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  1. #1

    Default Do British members of this forum hate the twin-tap system?

    I represent a studygroup from the Norwegian university of science and technology taking the course "technology-management" , http://www.ntnu.edu/. In this course our goal is to create a commercially viable idea for a product or service as well as evaluate it. To do this though, we need to know what other people think of our idea (this is where you come in).

    In Norway we almost exclusively use mixed taps. However, in the UK double-taps (one for cold and one for warm water) are used. To us it seems unnecessarily difficult, so we thought maybe the UK has a large market for a simple device which connects the two taps into one and mixes the warm and cold water, thus cheaply & easily making it possible to wash ones hands in a comfortable temperature. So in that case, could you please take the time to answer 3 questions?

    1) Are you Brits comfortable with your double-tap system?

    2) Would you consider buying our device if it was released on the market?

    3) Are there any obvious problems with our idea? The only problem we see is that most UK people can afford to install a mixed-tap system.


    PS: Moderators: I thought since this was a technology-thread I could post it here, but feel free to move it if you absolutely think this is the wrong place.
    Last edited by Nikitn; February 17, 2013 at 09:03 AM.

  2. #2

    Default Re: Do British members of this forum hate the twin-tap system?

    I aint British (Im Irish), and i wouldn't buy your product, not cause its a bad idea im sure there are plenty of people who would like to use one tap, but to me it seems unnecessary, most likely because iv had the two tap system all my life. It would be the same as you changing from a one tap to a two tap system, if you've had one tap for hot and cold all your life then your used to it and you never really think about changing, to be honest i never even noticed that there were two different tap systems before reading your post. Im sure there are people from other countries living in UK who might like to get one tap instead of two but at least to me, i wouldn't pay money to change it.
    ''I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones''. - Albert Einstein

  3. #3

    Default Re: Do British members of this forum hate the twin-tap system?

    Yeah I see your point. Thanks 4 the reply. But have you never tried a mixed-tap system? Even Churchill himself, an ultra-conservative Brit, found the mixed-tap superior after trying it during a visit to the USSR.

    During a wartime visit to Moscow in 1942, Winston S. Churchill discovered a marvel of modern technology: hot and cold water flowing from the same faucet. The plumbing in the villa where he stayed as a guest of Stalin was unlike the primitive British standard of separate taps for hot and cold. Rather than having to fill up the sink to achieve the right blend, the British leader could wash his hands under gushing water “mingled to exactly the temperature one desired,” as he put it in his memoirs. From then on, he resolved to use this method whenever possible.

  4. #4

    Default Re: Do British members of this forum hate the twin-tap system?

    Iv used them in hotels and places like that, and in a perfect world i suppose they would be a lot easier to use but with everything that's going on in the world, i think that for me at least it would be an unnecessary expense.
    ''I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones''. - Albert Einstein

  5. #5
    Adar's Avatar Just doing it
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    Default Re: Do British members of this forum hate the twin-tap system?

    This is actually an topic that I also have been thinking about.

    I think that if possible you should also read some old articles on the perceived usability of cell phones and other "disruptive" technology. Because often really useful tools are perceived as an unnecessary luxury item until they break through and become ubiquitous.

  6. #6

    Default Re: Do British members of this forum hate the twin-tap system?

    Quote Originally Posted by Adar View Post
    This is actually an topic that I also have been thinking about.
    What conclusion have you arrived to?

    I think that if possible you should also read some old articles on the perceived usability of cell phones and other "disruptive" technology. Because often really useful tools are perceived as an unnecessary luxury item until they break through and become ubiquitous.
    Yeah, I have heard the same about the iPad. Me and my group don't expect this to be a super-idea like that, though. More like maybe something a British Hotel could give to their foreign guests, if the thing was cheap, decent looking and simple enough.

    We just need to convince the professor that we have done a decent job at coming up with an idea.
    Last edited by Nikitn; February 18, 2013 at 05:20 AM.

  7. #7
    Adar's Avatar Just doing it
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    Default Re: Do British members of this forum hate the twin-tap system?

    Quote Originally Posted by Nikitn View Post
    What conclusion have you arrived to?
    Pretty much that British people are awfully conservative but that in 50 years they will have mixed taps thanks to people like Vizsla.

    But I see two big issues with your solution.

    1) It would be very hard to make it look good.

    2) How would it work from a technical perspective? There would be quite a lot of pressure on the mixer so it would have to be very robust to avoid leaks.

  8. #8
    Musthavename's Avatar Bunneh Ressurection
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    Default Re: Do British members of this forum hate the twin-tap system?

    I'm British. Whilst I do find mixed taps better, it doesn't bother me enough either way for me to spend money on changing it, whatever the cost.
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  9. #9
    Vizsla's Avatar Senator
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    Default Re: Do British members of this forum hate the twin-tap system?

    I know way too much about taps on account of having had to fix various plumbing problems over the years in a DIY capacity.

    I’m British and I have mixed taps in my house. Double taps seem like an anachronism to me. If I moved to a house that had double taps I’d whip ‘em out and slap in a mixed tap. I suspect that if they wanted to change their taps most people would stretch to getting swanky new ones rather than the halfway house device you suggest. They’re not that expensive. People move house a lot and renovate bathrooms a lot here so they’ll most likely just grin and bear the nasty taps till they’ve got the spondoolies to change things about in a more radical way.
    Here’s some free market research for you:
    Screwfix (mostly trade, but also diy sales):
    http://www.screwfix.com/c/bathrooms-...aps/cat4610008
    Seems as though they are offering more mixed taps than twin-taps.

    I also have European style two-buttons on my toilet instead of the traditional one size fits all lever (sorry to be indelicate).
    “Cretans, always liars” Epimenides (of Crete)

  10. #10

    Default Re: Do British members of this forum hate the twin-tap system?

    Quote Originally Posted by Vizsla View Post
    I know way too much about taps on account of having had to fix various plumbing problems over the years in a DIY capacity.

    I’m British and I have mixed taps in my house. Double taps seem like an anachronism to me. If I moved to a house that had double taps I’d whip ‘em out and slap in a mixed tap. I suspect that if they wanted to change their taps most people would stretch to getting swanky new ones rather than the halfway house device you suggest. They’re not that expensive. People move house a lot and renovate bathrooms a lot here so they’ll most likely just grin and bear the nasty taps till they’ve got the spondoolies to change things about in a more radical way.
    Here’s some free market research for you:
    Screwfix (mostly trade, but also diy sales):
    http://www.screwfix.com/c/bathrooms-...aps/cat4610008
    Seems as though they are offering more mixed taps than twin-taps.

    I also have European style two-buttons on my toilet instead of the traditional one size fits all lever (sorry to be indelicate).
    Yup, thanks allot. I just hope the professor who will evaluate our idea won't be too harsh :p
    Last edited by Nikitn; February 18, 2013 at 05:24 AM.

  11. #11
    Himster's Avatar Praeses
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    Default Re: Do British members of this forum hate the twin-tap system?

    I'm not British but the single tap system is obviously better.
    The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are so certain of themselves, but wiser people are full of doubts.
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  12. #12
    Denny Crane!'s Avatar Comes Rei Militaris
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    Default Re: Do British members of this forum hate the twin-tap system?

    Very confused as to why you think we don't have mixed tap systems?

    I have two mix taps and two double taps in my house, I don't believe I've ever had a kitchen that didn't have a mix tap.

    I don't see any advantage of one to another.

  13. #13

    Default Re: Do British members of this forum hate the twin-tap system?

    How are you going to keep the Catholics from using hot water if you use mixed taps?

  14. #14
    Vizsla's Avatar Senator
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    Default Re: Do British members of this forum hate the twin-tap system?

    Quote Originally Posted by Sphere View Post
    How are you going to keep the Catholics from using hot water if you use mixed taps?
    Actually it’s very easy to get into hot water in Northern Ireland.
    It’s the only thing the Protestants and the Catholics are happy to share.
    You’d know this if you made that kind of joke while you were there.
    “Cretans, always liars” Epimenides (of Crete)

  15. #15
    Himster's Avatar Praeses
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    Default Re: Do British members of this forum hate the twin-tap system?

    I don't see any advantage of one to another
    Mixed taps allow the flowing water temperature to be calibrated with greater variety than the two taps. That's the only advantage and is only a minor inconvenience when not available.
    The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are so certain of themselves, but wiser people are full of doubts.
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  16. #16
    Denny Crane!'s Avatar Comes Rei Militaris
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    Default Re: Do British members of this forum hate the twin-tap system?

    Quote Originally Posted by Himster View Post
    Mixed taps allow the flowing water temperature to be calibrated with greater variety than the two taps. That's the only advantage and is only a minor inconvenience when not available.
    Actually I was thinking about this and when it comes to a bath my preference is for double tap, don't know why I just like it more.

  17. #17
    Erebus Pasha's Avatar vezir-i âzam
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    Default Re: Do British members of this forum hate the twin-tap system?

    Like Denny Crane, I have both tap systems in my house. In addition I'm also confused Nikitin as to why you don't believe that we used mixed tap systems in the UK.

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  18. #18

    Default Re: Do British members of this forum hate the twin-tap system?

    2) How would it work from a technical perspective? There would be quite a lot of pressure on the mixer so it would have to be very robust to avoid leaks.
    For new construction or renovation, the mixed vs. two-tap is purely cultural not technical.

    Most building codes today (including the EU) require fixtures to have pressure balancing valves. This is why the flushing the toilet while someone is in the shower joke has mostly disappeared. Granted "Old-Europe" is rather backwards and takes a while to catch on, but I have faith.
    Last edited by Sphere; February 28, 2013 at 01:57 PM.

  19. #19
    Adar's Avatar Just doing it
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    Default Re: Do British members of this forum hate the twin-tap system?

    Quote Originally Posted by Sphere View Post
    For new construction or renovation, the mixed vs. two-tap is purely cultural not technical.

    Most building codes today (including the EU) require fixtures to have pressure balancing valves. This is why the flushing the toilet while someone is in the shower joke has mostly disappeared. Granted "Old-Europe" is rather backwards and takes a while to catch one, but I have faith.
    Installing serious taps isn't a problem compared to having something stick to existing taps. My curiosity was rather because I wanted to see if it was a technical project or just to evaluate different customer "needs".

    Carrying a tap mixer would probably be a lot more work than just washing your hands in cold water like I do in England .

    Reminds me a bit of a business case for "ethical porn" we discussed at a business development course.

  20. #20

    Default Re: Do British members of this forum hate the twin-tap system?

    I'm Irish and mixed taps are obviously better but as a student I'm not going to waste money buying a device to connect the double taps in my bathroom. If I was older and had more financial resources, or was building my own house, I would prefer mixer taps everywhere though. Perhaps if you included older people in the survey the responses would be more positive, as they have more money to throw around.

    It's common to have a mixer tap in the kitchen but double taps in the bathrooms. No idea why.
    Quote Originally Posted by Vizsla View Post
    I also have European style two-buttons on my toilet instead of the traditional one size fits all lever (sorry to be indelicate).
    Yeah those are pretty common in new buildings, I have them here as well.
    Last edited by removeduser_4536284751384; February 18, 2013 at 12:39 PM.

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