Yeah, I hear you. We tried a touchless faucet in our kitchen a while back—looked cool, but the temp was all over the place, and the sensor would go off if you just walked by. Ended up swapping it for a regular lever one. Sometimes the “upgrade” just isn’t worth the hassle or cost. Manual’s not fancy, but at least you know what you’re getting.
Yeah, those sensors can be finicky. I’ve installed a few brands for clients and honestly, some work better than others, but it’s hit or miss. The temp thing is usually because they use a mixing valve under the sink, and if it’s not adjusted right—or if your water pressure fluctuates—it gets weird fast. I get the appeal of hands-free, but sometimes a good old lever just makes life easier. Less to troubleshoot, too.
I get where you’re coming from, but I’ve actually had the opposite experience with my touchless faucet. Maybe I lucked out with the brand, but it’s been pretty reliable—no weird temp swings or sensor issues so far. I do wonder if some of the problems come down to installation quirks or maybe even water quality? I’ll admit, though, when it does act up, troubleshooting is a pain compared to just tightening a loose handle. Still, I like not having to touch anything when my hands are covered in dough or paint.
I’ve had a few of these installed in rental units, and honestly, it’s a mixed bag. Some tenants love them, especially in the kitchen, but I’ve had more than one call about “the tap won’t turn on” or “it’s stuck on cold.” Usually, it’s a battery issue or someone’s accidentally blocked the sensor with a dish towel. I do think water quality plays a part—hard water seems to mess with the sensors more. When they work, though, they’re great for keeping things cleaner, especially in busy households. But yeah, when they don’t, it’s not as simple as swapping out a washer.
Had a call last winter where the touchless faucet just wouldn’t respond, no matter what we tried. Turns out, the tenant had taped a sticky note over the sensor to remind herself to buy milk—completely blocked it. Never would’ve guessed. Sensors are finicky, especially with hard water around here.