The boiling issue

[FAQ-U]

Why is it that people don't use hot water when filling up a kettle as this would make boiling much faster...is there something wrong with hot water from a tap?

[Octavius]

Unless it's a combi-boiler.

Perhaps it is that using a water that has been through a boiler is less pure, or maybe because firing up the boiler so that you can put water in a kettle is uneconomical/a waste of energy.  

[secretspirit]

It shouldn't matter because as we all know boiling kills germs but maybe it's force of habit and that the water from the mains cold tap in the kitchen is nice and fresh.

[netibiza]

But using water from a hot tank would have to be replaced and reheated - so defeating the object.

[Dusky]

Aside from the issues of water sitting in various types of tanks waiting for its calling, there are those who will speculate that water that is twice boiled is less good for making tea.  See the book "Nice Cup of Tea and a Sit Down" by Nicey & Wifey.  I sha'n't quote because I'm not sure if I should but it's held to be a bad thing.

[woofgang]

In my house the water from the hot tap is artificially softened and the water from the cold tap isn't

[evertonsue]

what is a combi boiler and how is it different from other boilers?

[Guinevere]

I always tell my mum off for this, saying there's a dead pidgeon in the water tank (line from Faulty Towers)!
She still does it though!