Technological advances make life a touch easier

Life just keeps getting easier, thanks to Delta Faucet's new Touch2O and Touch2O.xt technologies.

One of the few things redeemable about most public restrooms is the fact that we no longer need to touch the faucet to wash our hands. Now a similar technology is available for your home.

In 2008, Touch2O technology for the kitchen was released. With this technology, as its name attests, you must touch the faucet to make the water start and stop. This was a terrific breakthrough for those who like to cook, as you can use any part of your hand to touch any part of the faucet and it will turn off and on, eliminating messy hands on the handle. And, the faucet turns off in one minute if you fail to touch it off. I can picture setting my blueberries in a small colander under the faucet, touch it on and leave it while getting back to my cooking without a worry that I will be wasting water if I don't get back to them soon enough.

Not only has Delta Faucet recently added this technology for the bathroom, the company took it a step further by incorporating the Touch2O.xt technology. This allows you to turn the faucet on and off without touching it. The entire faucet is a sensor; there is no red eye like you see on the faucets in public restrooms. If your hand is within 4 inches of the faucet, the water turns on and stays on as long as your hands are that close. Once you move away, it turns off within seconds. This faucet costs a little more but has both technologies built in.

These faucets are available for custom order from your local bath store, designers, contractors and local building supply stores.

My Web research on the faucets found that the cost of the Touch2O kitchen faucets range from $298 to $560, depending on the style, finish and whether it has Diamond Seal technology. The cost of the bathroom faucets with the Touch2O.xt range from $249 to $415.

According to Delta, "Diamond Seal Technology combines a durable diamond valve (a ceramic cartridge embedded with diamonds) with InnoFlex Pexs waterways. The valve requires no lubrication, eliminates wear on seals and ensures 'like new' operation for the life of the faucet, lasting up to 10 times longer than the industry standard. The InnoFlex waterways eliminate potential leak points and are less hassle to install."

If the convenience of these faucets isn't enough to pique your interest, consider the environmental advantages of using these technologies in our desert, where water conservation is a real concern. It's a sure fit.

Cindy Payne is a certified interior designer. Email her at deardesigner@projectdesigninteriors.com or write to her at Project Design Interiors, 2620 S. Maryland Parkway, Suite 189, Las Vegas, NV 89109. She can be reached online at www.projectdesigninteriors.com.