A water cooler is no longer just something that can be found in sports complexes, boardrooms or the gym. First they moved into offices of all sizes, and now they are becoming quite popular as a home-appliance too.
A water cooler encourages people to drink more water and less coffee, carbonated drinks and other fluids that are not that healthy. Having a home water cooler is a boon in the hot summer months when it seems as though there is never enough space in the fridge to keep water cold enough to quench your thirst.
A home water cooler keeps the water chilled and hygienic and available at the touch of a button or the press of a lever. It is convenient, eco-friendly, and can be outfitted in different colours to fit into your home seamlessly, whether you live in a mansion or a small apartment.
Tips for Choosing a Water Cooler for Your Home
The most important thing about getting a water cooler for your home is that you don’t just go to your local home warestore and buy the first cooler that you see. Rather look around and do your due diligence so that you are happy with your purchase.
Here are some things to take into consideration before investing in a home water cooler:
Desktop, Undercounter or Freestanding
Space in most homes is generally at a premium, so the size of the home water cooler that you choose is very important.
- A desktop water cooler needs approximately 40cmx 40cm of space, so look around at where you want your cooler to stand and make sure that it will not be in the way, will fit under the cupboards if it is going on the countertop.
- Freestanding water coolers also have a footprint of about 40cmx 40cm of floor space, although they are much higher, so you would need an open space somewhere that it could stand without being in the way.
Hot, Cold or Sparkling Water
Do you only want cold water to drink that tastes better than tap water, or do you prefer to get your home water cooler from a company that supplies spring water or filtered water?
- Is it important that you have access to hot water for those late-night winter cocoas too?
- Do you have small children? If you do, it may not be a good idea to get a water cooler that dispenses hot water as they may burn themselves while trying to get a drink.
- Remember that a hot and cold water cooler uses double the amount of electricity, so think about that monthly bill when making your decision
Style and Look vs. cost
Water coolers come in various sizes, styles and looks, and it is important that you decide which is more important; how the cooler looks or how much it is going to cost you:
- Basic water coolers are not that stylish, but will cost less
- Branded or styled water coolers will cost more to purchase but come with more advantages such as Direct Chilling, water filters and more
- Some water coolers offer more than one tap; this would be a waste for a small home, as these water coolers are more expensive
Usage
If there is normally only one or two of you in the home, it is unnecessary to purchase a huge water cooler that can supply in excess of 200 cups of water per hour. Check what the output and dispense rates are:
- Output Rate is how much water the water cooler can dispense in an hour
- Dispense Rate is how much water the water cooler can dispense in an hour
Dispense Area
The dispense area is important, especially if you want to fill more than just a cup or a glass. Some water coolers can easily fit a sports water bottle or a water jug.
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