Before we look at the differences between the Zip BC240 and the Billi Quadra 4100XL, it is important to point out that both of these products are excellent quality and very good value for money in a commercial environment. Both companies founded and formed originally in Australia and now market leaders all over the world. Zip has certainly been in the UK boiling water market for many years and has a market leading position, whereas Billi claim to be the market leader in Australia.

With both Zip and Billi may have a lot in common, both being global competitors in the water systems industry, some significant differences could sway you from one to another.

We’ll look at each of their models which are intended for a large office environment (i.e. more than 50 users). These are both capable of delivering both instant boiling water, and instant chilled water – both of which are filtered by internal taste and odour filters.

The models are the Zip BC240/175G4 and the Billi Quadra 4100XL:

  • The Zip unit can deliver 240 cups (167ml) of boiling water per hours and 175 cups of chilled water per hours. The Billi Quadra 4100 XL Tap
    has got an initial cup delivery of 100. This tap is able to deliver 250 cups of boiling water per hour, and 175 cups per hour of chilled water.
  • Dimensions:
    • Zip BC240/175G4 – H-335mm x W- 450mm x D-470mm.
    • Billi Quadra 4100 XL - H-340mm x W-315mm x D-465mm.
  • They both come as standard in the classic shape with levers. Billi just comes in the shape but it has got two other options to control the tap, XT for touch tap and XR for Remote. The Zip tap comes in 4 different shapes, Classic, Elite, Arc and Cube. They have also recently released The NEW Zip HydroTap Touch Free Wave tap, this reduces contact points in the workplace with a 100% touch-free boiling and chilled drinking water system.
  • Both of these taps can be situated over a sink, or away from the sink on its own drip tray which drains to waste: This is an added cost for both brands.
  • Both models have internal pumps to move the water from the undersink unit to the tap, and then siphon any unused water back into the undersink tank. This is important because it means you do not get the spitting you get with 100 degree unpumped systems. Also, with the siphon it removes all the water that gets left in the pipework which would otherwise end up as cold water in the next person’s cup. The Billi unit goes one step further in the department. The speed of the pump adjusts automatically, so that when you first press the lever the pump speeds up to get the water through the pipes to the tap Then once at the tap it slows down to dispense, this helps to stop the water splashing in the mug, once there is a bit of water in the cup the pump will speed up to fill the rest of the cup.
  • Both models have with internal taste & odour filters, as standard the Zip filter is 0.2 microns and the Billi filter is 5-micron filter (the lower the better). However, with Billi you can upgrade the to 0.2 microns like the Zip, but this is an additional cost. If you are in a hard water area, you will need some form of limescale protection – this is available on both models but is a chargeable option.

As currently Zip is a more dominate company in the UK, and perhaps still the global market leader in water systems, their warranty coverage is the best in the market providing a three-year warranty on most of their water systems and a five-year comprehensive on internal tanks. Billi offers a two-year warranty with the option to extend your warranty at an extra cost. When it comes to after-sales service, Billi proves to be exceptional in offering personable customer service. If price is a factor for you, Billi taps tend to have more competitive pricing than ZIP.

If you need any more information to make the right choice of boiling water tap, just call one of our experts on 01934 253600.