Water Coolers Vs Drinking Fountains. Which is Better for Your Business’s Needs?

One of the most important aspects of running a business is to look after your staff. It’s your duty of care to ensure their health and safety, and part of this is to give them access to clean drinking water. Making sure your employees remain hydrated will boost their energy levels and productivity, which is certainly good for business!

Businesses need to weigh up the options between water coolers and drinking fountains. Each has its own advantages, but are there drawbacks? Various factors need to be taken into account, like space availability, maintenance requirements, user volume, and other specific workplace needs.

Water Coolers

Water coolers are designed to dispense clean, ambient or chilled, still or sparkling, water conveniently. Their user-friendly design makes them a popular choice in many workplaces. There are primarily two types of water cooler:

• Bottled water coolers – These units have interchangeable water bottles, which you change yourself as they become empty. They are ideal for locations where plumbing access is either limited or unavailable. These units can be placed anywhere near to a power outlet.
• Mains fed water coolers – Connected to the building’s water supply, these units often feature built-in filtration systems to remove impurities, which improves the taste and quality. They provide a continuous supply of water without the need to replace bottles.

Both types of cooler have an internal chilling function to maintain a consistently cool water temperature, although you can choose to dispense ambient if you prefer.

Drinking Fountains

Drinking Fountains (or water fountains) are commonly installed in public areas, schools, colleges, and office buildings. They are connected straight to the plumbing system, which provides a constant flow of water. Drinking fountains are great for high traffic areas where people need access to water throughout the day. Different types of drinking fountains include:

• Wall mounted fountains – These units are fixed to the wall, making them space efficient and perfect for areas with little or limited floor space.
• Floor standing fountains – These are free standing units that offer durability in busy areas with heavy use.
• Bottle filling stations – An adaptation of traditional design, these stations are designed specifically for filling water bottles, promoting the use of re-usable bottles and cutting down on single use plastics.

Decision Making

When you’re choosing between a water cooler and a drinking fountain, there are several factors that could influence your choice:

Foot traffic and accessibility

• High traffic areas – In large office buildings with numerous employees and visitors, drinking fountains can effectively accommodate high demand due to their continuous water supply. There is also no need for a glass or cup, which can accommodate visitors especially.
• Smaller offices – For offices with fewer people, water coolers may be the better option, as they allow a more personalised hydration solution, and flexible placement.

Water Quality and Filtration

• Water coolers – Mains fed water coolers often come equipped with advanced filtration systems that remove impurities, making sure high quality, great tasting water is dispensed.
• Drinking fountains – While some models can be fitted with filter, it’s not a standard feature. If premium quality water is needed, water coolers may be the preferred option.

Initial Maintenance Costs

• Water coolers – Bottled water coolers require regular bottle replacement and periodic cleaning and servicing. Mains fed models need filter changes and maintenance of the filtration system.
• Drinking fountains – These require routine plumbing and maintenance to ensure proper functionality. They are generally cheaper to maintain as they don’t need bottle replacements.

Sustainability

• Water coolers – Bottled water coolers can contribute to plastic waste unless recyclable bottles are used. Mains fed models reduce plastic waste but still need filter replacements.
• Drinking fountains - Drinking fountains minimise the use of plastic bottles by providing direct access to tap water, making them the perfect environmentally friendly choice.

Advantages of Water Coolers

Modern water coolers often feature contactless dispensing, reducing the potential risk of contact with germs, which is a great advantage in maintaining the health of your workforce. Their flexible placement is also an attractive benefit, as is the option to have both ambient and chilled water dispensed.

Disadvantages of Water Coolers

With bottled models, the need for frequent bottle replacement and filter changes is not only a cost consideration, but a logistical one, particularly in high use environments. A single water cooler may struggle with demand meaning that you may need multiple coolers to meet hydration needs.

Advantages of Drinking Fountains

Water fountains are designed to withstand continuous use, so are perfect for locations with a high number of users. After the initial installation, drinking fountains generally have lower ongoing costs compared to bottle machines. They’re inexpensive and low maintenance. They’re also a green option, with no plastic waste.

Disadvantages of Drinking Fountains

Regular cleaning is essential to prevent the build up of bacteria around the outlet and basin. Without regular cleaning they can become breeding grounds for germs. Standard machines also only provide ambient temperature water. Those with mobility challenges may find it difficult to bend down to drink, making bottle filling stations a more inclusive option.

Which Option is Best for Your Business?

Both water coolers and drinking fountains are an effective hydration solution for businesses, but the best option is the one that best suits your requirements depending on available space, maintenance, number of users and environment impact.

Ensuring access to clean drinking water in the workplace is a duty of care, and it can boost employee wellbeing and productivity. Getting your hydration system right will help create a heathier and more comfortable workplace for everyone.

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We have a dedicated team of sales, support and distribution staff, so if you’d like recommendation on the best water cooler or drinking fountain for your business, just get in touch with us and we’ll be happy to help you. We are here to ensure customers receive the best value and a seamless straight forward service from installation to servicing and maintenance.

CoolerAid started as a family run business and in relation to ethos and attitude essentially remains as a family run business today, we make it our business to manage each of our customers at a personal level.