subject: A Quick Comparison of Bottle-Fed Versus Plumbed Water Coolers [print this page] A Quick Comparison of Bottle-Fed Versus Plumbed Water Coolers
You are likely familiar with bottle-fed coolers as a source for drinking water but did you realise that plumbed water coolers are an option too? The plumbed models (sometimes called point-of-use or mains-fed) hook up directly to your water pipes so you eliminate the need for storing and handling those bottles. A quick comparison study of these two drinking water options could help you make the right choice that best suits your needs.
Cost
The cost of a bottle-fed cooler is cheaper than plumbed models. The reason is installation is a bit easier and extra expense is not involved in the manual labour necessary to tap into the water mains supply. However, that extra expense for plumbed water coolers is offset by the savings you reap by not having to purchase bottles of water on an ongoing basis.
Location, Installation and Water Delivery
You can place a bottle-fed unit virtually anywhere in your home or office that is close to an electrical outlet (if you want anything other than tepid water). However, with a mains-fed model, you must be within 15 metres of the water supply pipes. With both options, installation is fairly simple. The pipes for the plumbed unit can be easily hidden from view so as not to detract from the room decor.
Bottles for the more traditional unit do have to be carried and lifted onto the cooler. Even with this weighty task, it is still manageable. However, with the plumbed options, water delivery is automatic. When you need drinking water, it's there and you don't have to switch out bottles when one empties.
Water Quality, Maintenance and Other Options
The quality of the drinking water is great in both bottle-fed and plumbed water coolers. The water in the bottles is filtered before being packaged while the mains-fed units have built-in filters that clean the water before dispensing. Therefore, in both instances, you can expect tasty drinking water.
As long as you rent your water equipment and negotiate contracted service, you can expect regular scheduled maintenance performed by trained technicians well-versed in water hygiene and quality standards. In both types of water cooler models, sanitisation is required in addition to the maintenance to uphold hygiene standards. A number of designs and styles are also available in both bottle-fed and point-of-use coolers and there are various "extras" to choose from like hot water or sparkling water spigots.
If you feel that bottle-fed and plumbed water coolers are pretty much an even match in cost, water quality and other characteristics, you may want to think about the overall carbon footprint of each option. With coolers that require continuous bottle replacement, consider the pollution created by the trucks that transport them. The mains-fed units offer a more environmentally-friendly choice.
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