I’m in the market for a new kitchen faucet and have discovered touchless technology, which is rather new for home use. If you’ve been to any new hotel or restaurant, you will have encountered faucets and soap dispensers that magically turn on when they sense the presence of your hand. Seems like magic, all right! But is this good for the home?

Messy hands are the biggest reason for touchless faucets. Your messy hands get to the water without messing up the water handle. Your hands get clean and the faucet doesn’t get dirty. It also helps if you have a touchless/sensor soap dispenser.

Germs seem to be another big reason for applause for the touchless technology. Some germs have a long life and can survive on many surfaces. If you touch a surface with germs, you will be contaminated. If you don’t have to touch the surface, the problem is eliminated, thus kudos for touchless technology.

There is ease in use; stick your hand out and soap comes out. Same goes for some touchless faucets such as the one that Moen has now. It has a sensor that senses when your hand passes it. Delta makes several faucets that allow you to turn the water flow on by simply touching anywhere on the faucet itself. OK, so you do have to touch it, but you can use your forearm and not your messy hand. These faucets are a great convenience.

The sensor faucets turn off automatically, which could be a plus for some of us who tend to leave the water running unnecessarily. It will save money.

Touchless technology is for me. Should I go for the sensor type or the touch-anywhere-without-using-hands type? Once that decision is made, then I’ll just have to work extra hours to save up so I can afford it.

Friedmann: DsgnQuest@aol.com