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Why Britain Uses Separate Hot and Cold Taps

Tom Scott · explainer · Watch on YouTube

Home, DIY & practical skillsWorld history

What it is

Tom Scott explains why Britain historically has separate hot and cold taps rather than mixer taps, tracing it to how water was stored in tanks. He notes why the hot tap is not safe to drink from.

Why Hacker News recommends it

HN commenters treat it as the standard short answer whenever UK taps come up.

  • 2 people recommended it
  • 2 different months
  • 0 strong recommendations
  • first 2015, last 2025

What HN commenters said

  1. “It makes a lot of sense having them separate. Tom Scott explains”

    Tom Scott explains why separate taps make sense

    rogerbinns, 2015-03 · Recommendation · in “Britain's housing crisis is a human disaster”

  2. “Short video by Tom Scott on the subject for those interested.”

    Short explanation of UK water storage tanks and separate taps

    SimonPStevens, 2021-03 · Recommendation · in “Rents for the rich are going down, rents for the poor are going up. Why?”

Excerpts from Hacker News comments, linked to the originals. Summaries and labels were written by a language model from those comments.

Topics: tom scott, uk taps, water storage, plumbing history, britain

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