Look Mom, No Hands! Moen’s MotionSense Faucet!

I recently installed the Moen Brantford MotionSense one handle high arc pull down kitchen faucet…complete with a motion sensor!  I love the concept.  How many times have my hands been drenched in raw meat juices and have had to maneuver the kitchen faucet to turn it on without contaminating it?  Now I simply put my hands or the object I’m washing under the faucet and the water turns on.  Once I move my hands or the object away, the water stops. It’s that simple.

I have been using the Moen Brantford MotionSense faucet now for a couple of months and I absolutely love it!  In fact, on a regular basis I find myself waiting for another faucet we have near the kitchen to turn on when my hands draw near, and nothing happens!  Oh yeah, wrong faucet!

And I have to say, the novelty has not yet worn off, I just love waving my hand over the top to keep the water flowing while I hand-wash my knives or items I don’t put into the dishwasher.  Do I dare say, it even makes this chore a little fun?  When I’m done washing, I simply wave my hand over the top of the faucet and the water stops.  Love it!

Installation

I hired a plumber to install the faucet for me.  I read reports online that you can install it yourself, but that’s just not my cup of tea!  It took him about 40 minutes to install.  You have the option of using batteries to run the MotionSense faucet or an AC adapter (optional).  We went with the batteries.

Here is what the installation looks like underneath my sink.  We can control how hot the water can get easily with a dial.  The battery pack, containing the 6 needed batteries to operate the MotionSense faucet, is located closer to the cupboard door for easier accessibility when it’s time to change them.  Batteries are said to last 1 year.  The Moen MotionSense faucet can still be used manually should the batteries stop working.

Why a MotionSense Faucet?

Problems with Turning on a Normal Faucet:

• You don’t want to touch the faucet because your hands are dirty from raw meat, cooking oils, etc.
• Your child is too short to reach the handle to wash his/her hands
• Sometimes the water keeps running after using it because your busy finishing up something else
• You can’t turn the faucet on quick enough if you burned or cut your hand
• You don’t know who touched the faucet handle last and what they had on their hands (esp. important for food allergies)

Features:

• Uses the Moen Reflex system for easy movement and secure docking of the pulldown/pullout spray head
• MotionSense provides hands–free convenience without needing to touch the faucet handle
• One–handle lever handles make it easy to adjust the water
• Water can turned on and off when movement is sensed
• Water can be left on by waving your hand above the top sensor

Pros:

• The MotionSense faucet uses batteries, so it doesn’t add onto your electricity bill
• You can also use the faucet manually, so if the batteries die or if friends want to use the faucet, it can be used normally
• Beautiful design, looks great in a kitchen
• Has a guest/cleaning mode which turns the MotionSense mode off
• I love waving my hand over the top to have the water run while I clean a dish, it’s so cool!
• The handle is built-into the faucet, so you don’t need another hole in your counter top to house the handle
• Great for kids and disabled people who may not be able to reach the handle
• Includes a 5-year warranty on digital components and a limited lifetime trim warranty
• Has a good spray head to help wash off dishes
• Has an eco performance design, using less water

Cons:

• Sometimes you forget about the sensor and the water turns on unexpectedly on something you didn’t want wet (like my head when I was looking down inside our disposal!)
• It’s pricey, about $200+ more than a the non-MotionSense version
• It uses 6 AA batteries – that’s a lot to replace when the batteries wear out (which happens typically after a year)

The Brantford Moen MotionSense faucet comes in three different colors.  The MSRP of the Stainless Steel finish is $640, the spot-resistant stainless steel is $680, and the oil-rubbed bronze finish is $705. Click on the Where to Buy button on Moen’s page to find local supply stores near you.   You can also special order the Brantford Moen MotionSense at Lowes and Home Depot.

Depending upon your plumber, installation will probably cost anywhere from $200-$400, unless of course, you install it yourself.

A Mom’s Perspective

Is the Moen MotionSense kitchen faucet a luxury?  Yes, for most people.  For some it’s a necessity due to a handicap status.  Nonetheless, when you think about the time you spend in front of the kitchen sink and how many times a day it gets used, it is a luxury you are grateful for every day.

My 9-year-old son used to have to go to our bathroom each time to wash his hands, which was a lot  because he likes to cook.  Now, he uses our MotionSense faucet sink to wash his hands before and during cooking.

The Moen MotionSense faucet is great for filling up pots full of water for pasta too.  It’s the new pot filler, and so incredibly handy.  Now the kids can focus on holding onto the pot with two hands and transfer the pot to the stove without worry of turning off the faucet.

Sometimes it’s the luxuries in life that make our day run a little smoother and make it more fun.  How would you use this Moen MotionSense faucet?

*  I was provided with the Moen Brantford kitchen MotionSense faucet for purposes of review.  Installation was not provided.  All opinions are my own.