How to pick a water cooler
May 8th, 2008 | by Simon Rattray |
Water coolers, where would we be without them? And how did we ever cope before their arrival? Despite not being one of the most glamorous tasks you may ever have to undertake, here are some tips from Choregus on how to pick a water cooler.
There are many benefits to installing a water cooler in your place of work. First of all the water will be cold - an absolute god send considering the weather we have had of late. In my current office we have the added bonus of an ice machine built into the fridge unit as well. And for those who like drinking hot or warm water (these people do exist I have seen it for my own eyes) - you can get water coolers that dispense hot water as well!
The water from a water cooler is usually of a superior standard compared to tap water. Generally speaking there are two types of water cooler that you can purchase. Firstly there are free standing units that hold replaceable water cannisters. The other sort is plumbed into the water supply at your place of work. These are much cheaper as they do not require the ordering of cannisters. The water is filtered to improve the quality from ordinary tap water. Be warned though, they switched from a cannister cooler to a mains cooler at an office I used to work in and their was a marked decrease in the quality of the water. These types of water cooler need to be regularly cleaned or you end up with discolored or strange tasting water in your cup!
What costs are involved?
- An annual charge for cleaning (mandatory for health and safety law)
- A monthly or quarterly cost for renting for the equipment
- New water cannisters (around £5 - £10 for 18 litres)
There are plenty of providers around for water coolers, your best bet is to try Google and see what deals are available. I would say water coolers are not a luxury more of a necessity in a modern office.
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3 Responses to “How to pick a water cooler”
By Justin March on May 9, 2008 | Reply
You can get hot and cold or cook and cold machines as they are known in the trade but most only reach 85C which is not hot enough for the tea drinkers. Also and more importantly plumbed in coolers are available which filter the bad tastes and odours from the mains water supply, these coolers are better for the environment (as no bottles are required) and can save the customer money.
By James Jones on May 9, 2008 | Reply
Yeah, the hot water is never hot enough in those machines - so i dont know why anyone would use that feature.
We have a plumbed in one but with no filters at Choregus Towers, if anyone was interested :)
By Office Watercoolers on May 29, 2008 | Reply
Great points, and good advice for anyone looking for a water cooler. I’d also advise that you check how regularly the water cooler company will service your machine, and if possible where the water comes from. Water from local sources has a much lower impact on the environment because it doesn’t need to be transported as far.