Aquor's House Hydrant - A Modern, Durable and Sleek Outdoor Faucet

Chances are, you might not think of your hose bibb, or outdoor faucet, too often.  But they’re very useful, and some hose bibs are more durable - and good looking - than others.  Green Builder Matt Hoots recently talked to Brennan Blevins about Aquor’s frost-proof hose bibbs, known as House Hydrants. According to Brennan, a quality hose bibb can be one of the cheapest long term upgrades for a home.  

There are a number of terms for outdoor building-mounted faucets and they’re similar but not exactly the same.  A spigot is a broad term that applies to even the simplest faucet, inside or outside. Hose bibbs are generally threaded to make it easier for connecting hoses, and they’re generally mounted on the exterior of buildings. Sillcocks are a type of hose bibbs that are also threaded and are generally longer and extend into the heated, or insulated, space inside a wall.  The valve is also located inside the house, all to prevent freezing but a sillcock will look the same as a hose bibb on the exterior.

All of these faucet types provide the connection or bridge from indoor plumbing to bring water outdoors for all kinds of uses, including watering plants and grass, washing cars, and filling pools and sprinklers. Some “frost-proof” outdoor faucets, including all sillcocks, extend further from a structure and allow water to drain when the facet is off  to prevent water from freezing inside interior pipes during cold weather and the winter season. Freezing water can break pipes and water lines, resulting in flooding inside homes.  

Sometimes the newest ideas are existing innovations that have evolved for new purposes.  In 1999, Aquor Water Systems developed a hose bibb for marine deck washing. Already a leading flush-mounted quick connection on boats and yachts, Aquor’s developed frost-free “hydrants,” or hose bibbs for homes in 2014. The hydrants are made of 100% 216L marine grade stainless steel and have a quick connect system for users to connect and activate water flow with a plug and twist motion.  No handle or knob is needed.  Key to the Aquor design is a wedge shape at an angle that allows the valve to drain and even “winterize itself.”  The valve also seals behind the wall in the insulated part of the a building, preventing freezing even in subzero temperatures.  The hydrant starts to drain automatically when 

The functionality sounds great, but who knew an outdoor faucet could look cool.  The hydrants showcase a steel minimalist design and come in several colors and 6 sizes.  They install nearly flush to the wall, which is less intrusive than standard hose bibbs, which can be mounted on other materials which can are and crack.  There are also models with a mixing valve for those who want hot and cold water.  Upcoming products include an outdoor shower, and a fire suppressant.    

What are your hose bibb stories? How do you understand the difference between hose bibbs, sillcocks, spigots, and hydrants, and do you know any other terms for outdoor faucets we haven’t thought of?


Image: Aquor Water Systems

Image: Aquor Water Systems

Image: Aquor Water Systems