7 Things You Didn’t Know About Water Coolers

Think you know everything about water coolers? It’s time to find out!

Water coolers are among the best ways to enjoy always-fresh drinking water at your preferred temperature. But there’s a lot more to water coolers than meets the eye.

While most people are aware of the health benefits associated with water coolers, the amount of money you’ll save by owning one, and the tremendous environmental benefits, there are other things you might be surprised to learn.

Here’s our list of seven things you didn’t know about water coolers.

Not all water coolers use those heavy jugs of bottled water.

When most people think about “water cooler talk,” they picture a group of people around a gurgling bottle of water perched atop a podium in an office hallway.

And when the bottle’s empty? Someone – hopefully with decent upper-body strength – needs to step up and replace it. While that certainly beats the money spent on bottled water and is lightyears better than tap water, it’s admittedly not always the most convenient situation for some people.

Fortunately, there are plenty of point-of-use water dispensers that can hook up directly to a water line. This means no more replacement bottles, no more heavy lifting, and plenty of fresh, clean drinking water to enjoy while you discuss your favorite Netflix shows with your coworkers during your break.

Bottle-less water coolers are great for at home too, especially when you don’t have a ton of space to keep extra bottles around. It’s the ultimate convenience when it comes to fresh drinking water at an always-perfect temperature.

You’re not limited to cold and room-temperature.

Although there are water coolers available that only dispense water chilled or at room temperature, models are available that can dispense hot water too.

Hot and cold water dispensers are great for people who prefer tea, cocoa, or even just enjoy drinking their water hot. In fact, hot water dispensers are so versatile that you can actually use them to make soup and cup noodles. It’s an incredibly practical feature, and most people wonder how they ever did without it once they have it.

If you have children, you may be worried about safety with a hot water dispenser. Fortunately, hot water dispensers tend to have safety features that prevent against accidental use of the hot water spigot. Most manufacturers make safety features like this a priority, but you want to take care to check the model you’re buying before you make a purchase.

There are portable water dispensers that are perfect for barbecues, camping, or the countertop.

Some people are surprised to learn that portable countertop water dispensers are a thing, but they are, and they’re absolutely wonderful for so many reasons.

Maybe you don’t have enough space for a full-size water dispenser, or perhaps you want something you can bring with you and use during an outdoor event like a summer party or a camping trip. Regardless of your needs, portable water dispensers make it super easy to enjoy fresh drinking water anywhere you are.

Select models have a built-in nightlight.

Did you know that some water dispenser models have a built in nightlight?

If you wake up in the middle of the night thirsty, you don’t have to turn on every light in the house just to get a drink. Just follow the glow of your water dispenser, fill your cup, enjoy it, and then get back to sleep. It’s as simple as that.

Maintaining a water cooler is very, very easy.

Clean your water cooler once a month, keep it plugged in at all times, and keep it filled with clean water if it’s a top- or bottom-loading unit that uses water bottles. That’s it.

In fact, water cooler cleaning and maintenance only takes a few minutes. That said, you’ll still want to wipe down the unit regularly to keep it looking clean. Don’t forget to check for leaks and wipe the wire grid on the back of the unit with a soft cloth to remove lint and dust (a vacuum works for this, as well).

If it’s ever completely empty, you’ll want to unplug the unit – especially if it’s a hot and cold water dispenser. Leaving it plugged in while empty could actually damage the unit, something you want to avoid.

Refillable water jugs are an option, and they even filter the water for you.

For some people, connecting a water line to a water cooler just isn’t an option, and buying new bottles of water can be an inconvenience. That’s completely understandable, and if this sounds like you, you’ll be happy to hear that there are actually refillable water bottles available that will filter the water for you.

The NewAir WAT10 Pure Spring Water Filtration Bottle is just one example, capable of filtering up to 211 gallons of water before you need to replace the filter. It’s universally compatible with all top-loading water coolers and is BPA free, meaning it’s completely safe for you and your family or your employees and coworkers if you use it at the office. Best of all, it will remove and eliminate chemicals and sediment from your water, resulting in a better taste that’s good for your health.