Water dispensers can come in countertop and floor standing models, and can offer a variety of water temperatures and types. But whether you opt for a bottled or mains fed water cooler, each will provide its users with fresh, filtered water to hydrate customers, staff, patients and students throughout the day. 

With amazing features such as UVC LED filtration and contactless dispensing for the ultimate hygiene-conscious water cooler, understanding what you’re buying or renting is important. In this article we will look at what a commercial water cooler is, the features that you can expect, and how exactly they produce cool, hot and carbonated water at the touch of a button.  

What is a commercial water cooler?

A commercial water cooler provides on-demand cold and hot water. They can also provide sparkling as well as room temperature (ambient) water too. As a common addition to communal areas in offices, schools, gyms and hospitals, commercial water coolers are a great way to keep employees and visitors hydrated throughout the day.

With features such as no-spill guards, LED night lights, auto lit dispensing areas, and noise dampening technology, water dispensers offer businesses an ideal daily hydration station. Aquacool’s range of water dispensers are available to rent or buy, and are equipped with features that will make quenching your thirst enjoyable at any time of the day.

Are there different types of commercial water coolers? 

Water dispensers are not all made equal, and there are different variations and models too. Below we have broken them down into three types:

• Bottled water dispensers: These dispensers receive their water supply from attachable water bottles. They can provide cold, hot and ambient water.
• Mains fed dispensers: These coolers are plumbed into the mains of a building, and receive water directly from here. They can provide cold, hot, ambient and sparkling water. Mains fed dispensers also include countertop water dispenser models, as well as bottle fillers, and drinking water fountains too. 
• Hot water boilers: Whilst this type is also mains fed, it solely produces boiling hot water. An alternative to a kettle, this is ideal for hot drinks and food items. 

If you want to learn more about the specific types, check out our ‘Types of commercial water coolers’ article to get you up to speed. 

How does a bottled water dispenser work?

Bottled water dispensers have attachable bottles and take their supply directly from here. Once the tap on the dispenser has been activated, the water is accessible. Water flows from the attached bottle through pipes that pass internal mechanisms within the dispenser, and these will either heat or cool the water depending on the tap that has been activated. For ambient or room temperature water, this will come straight from the bottle without any cooling or heating required. 

Many of these commercial water coolers have external bottles that sit on the top, and can be attached and detached from here. However, some have internal, bottom-loading bottles such as Aquacool’s Elite Bottled Water Cooler, and use a replace bottle indicator to remind users to change the bottle. 

Employees, patients and students can enjoy filtered water sourced from sustainable natural springs across the country with an Aquacool bottled water cooler. 

How do mains fed water coolers work?

As mains fed water coolers, or point of use water coolers, are plumbed-in, they receive water directly from the building they have been installed into. This type of commercial water cooler accesses the main water supply and passes it through its internal filtration system before cooling, heating or carbonating the water. Whether the water is cooled, heated or carbonated will depend on the user’s selection, and then the mains fed cooler will pass the water through the appropriate internal mechanisms so that it is ready for drinking

Some commercial water coolers, such as Aquacool’s Elite UVC Mains Fed model, will use UVC LED to filter water. Purifying water prior to consumption with filtration techniques such as this will help to protect drinkers from harmful waterborne bacteria. Other hygienic features such as contactless dispensing can also be implemented for ultimate protection. 

What are the features of a commercial water cooler?

Not every water dispenser is equipped with the same features, it will depend on the type — mains fed or bottled, as well as the model. More expensive models will usually have updated, swanky features, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get a great cheaper water cooler too. 

Let us run through some of the features you might come across:

Bottled water cooler features:

• Push-tap activation
• No-spill spill stopping guard
• LED night light
• Noise dampening technology

Mains fed water cooler features:

• Infrared sensor to dispense water
• UVC LED Filtration
• Auto-lit dispensing area
• Integral cup dispenser
• Leak detection

With an Aquacool’s range of water dispensers for business, you can benefit from the above features in our various models, as well as a sleek and elegant aesthetic — even in our cheaper models. So there really is something for everyone.

Where can you use a commercial water cooler?

Commercial water coolers can be used by a variety of businesses, in a variety of different areas. From school hallways and hospital waiting rooms, to spa treatment rooms and gym workout areas, everywhere is better with the addition of a water dispenser. 

And when opting for an Aquacool water cooler there are many different types and models to choose from. For instance commercial drinking fountains are ideal for gyms, schools and outdoor communal areas, whereas a bottled water cooler is better suited to meeting rooms in office blocks.  

Why rent or buy an Aquacool commercial water cooler?

Staying hydrated is important, and so is offering accessible water points within your business. With Aquacool, you can choose from many different commercial water coolers. Whether specific features are important to you, or aesthetic is at the top of your list — we have something for every business. And you also have the option to either rent, or buy outright and it’s completely up to you!

Get started and contact us today for a free, no-obligation quote. Or, check out our Water Cooler Buying Guide for more information on your perfect dispenser.