We all need to drink enough water every day to hydrate the body and keep it healthy. A water dispenser, which filters and chills water, whichever type you choose, provides the best solution.
Water dispensers bring the convenience of filtered water to you at the ideal temperature for different use.
Whether it’s simply for providing cold drinking water on a chilly day or hot water for making tea or coffee, a water dispenser comes in handy.
And the good news is that there are different types of water dispensers on the market today to suit your needs. Whether you need one for your home, office, or business premises, you’ll find one to do the job.
This article discusses the different types of water dispensers and their prices.
1. Bottled Water Dispensers
Bottled water dispensers are the more traditional water dispensers you’ll see in any home or working environment. They are called ‘bottled’ because the water they dispense is supplied from a bottle placed on the top or bottom of the cooler.
These water dispensers require more maintenance than bottleless units because bottle service is necessary to ensure enough water is available.
In most areas, water service is usually inexpensive some even offer periodic inspection of the tank along with the delivery of clean, filtered water.
And since these dispensers are made to use pre-filtered bottled water, they do not usually need/have a filter inside.
Bottled water dispensers usually come as floor-standing or countertop models. Most include safety features such as automatic shutoff for hot water and child-proof taps.
A bottled water dispenser has the following parts:
- A tank – stores the water to be cooled or heated before dispensing.
- A refrigerating system – to cool the water
- A water heater – to heat the water
- A tap/spigot – to release the water
- A button/knob – to help you to dispense water
- A collar – holds the water bottle and allows the water to channel into the reservoir.
You’ll require electricity if the dispenser comes with the option of cooling and heating the water.
Prices
Most countertop models range from $200 to $400. They are ideal for workspaces with limited space.
Floor standing units are a more affordable option as they’ll cost you between $140 and $400 per dispenser. Many water cooler suppliers offer floor-standing dispensers on rental agreements as well.
2. Point of Use Water Dispensers/Bottleless
With this type of water dispenser, there’s no need for a constant supply of bottled water. It uses a built-in filtration process, which produces pure, clean, and crisply fresh drinking water straight from the tap.
The water dispensers are a convenient option as they boast an unlimited water supply from the waterline. They don’t require replacing bottles periodically to ensure that water is available.
These units usually have the ability to cool and heat water by storing it in a reservoir and using electricity to warm/heat the water before dispensing it.
And just like the bottled models, these dispensers come as the floor-standing tower type or countertop dispensers common in homes or places where the demand isn’t high.
Bottleless water dispensers come with a safety lock to keep your fussy kid safe from burns and an automatic shutoff for the water heater.
A bottleless dispenser needs to be connected directly to the water supply or a container or tank if direct piping can’t be done.
Components of a bottleless water dispenser include;
- A tank – to store water to heated or chilled before dispensing
- A refrigerating system – to cool water
- A water heater – to warm water
- Water filters – to filter the tap water
- A tap/spigot – for you to receive water from
- A button/knob – to release water
Prices
Floor-standing models range between $250 and $450, and countertop models from $250 to $2000.
3. Water Fountain/Mounted Water Dispensers
A water fountain is practical for dealing with the high demand for chilled filtered water. It is a popular choice in offices, cafeterias, outdoors, and public buildings because it doesn’t require further attention once installed.
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Most water fountains are usually wall-mounted; you can still get floor-standing units.
Typically, these dispensers are not used to fill cups but rather for you to take a quick drink from the receptacle.
These dispensers are generally connected directly to a water supply. They are usually tapped into the Municipal water supply meaning that the water is usually not cooled, heated, or filtered.
However, water fountains in office buildings, large corporations, or places where electricity is available have water coolers to chill the water prior to dispensing it.
The parts of a water fountain include:
- A tank – draws water from the waterline
- A spigot – sends a stream of water in an arched form to make drinking easier
- A button/knob – when pressed releases water
- A cooler/refrigerated system – if the dispenser is designed to cool water.
Prices
Generally, floor-standing water fountains come with a price range between $500 and $2000.Wall-mounted models go for $250 to $1000.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many types of water dispensers are there?
Bottled water dispensers require delivery of water in bottles from vendors, while point of use dispensers are connected to a water supply.
There’s also a third category of mounted water dispensers, also known as water fountains.
Do water dispensers filter water?
Are water dispensers safe?
If not well handled, the germs could contaminate you with sickness and disease.
Should I turn off my water dispenser at night?
How often should I change the water dispenser?
Do water dispensers get mold?
Does a water dispenser consume a lot of electricity?
Are bottom-loading water dispensers reliable?
Are hot water dispensers expensive to install?
Do I have to clean my water dispenser before using it?
Conclusion
Water is life and having an appliance that reminds you that you need to take a glass after a few hours is a great thing. Water dispensers are the lifesavers that everyone should strive to possess. With one, you are assured of clean, fresh, and tasty water all the time.
Having gone through this post, we believe that you’re now well informed and know the model to go for your home or office. The prices indicated should give you a rough estimate of the amount you should expect to pay for one.