Water coolers come in a variety of sizes and styles to fit the needs of any office. There are bottleless water coolers and bottled water coolers. There are water coolers that you purchase as part of a water cooler delivery service and pay a monthly fee to maintain rather then purchasing the water cooler outright.

To purchase a bottled water cooler and a dispenser without a service plan will cost around $200-$300. If you prefer the bottleless water coolers and bottleless water dispenser you are looking at anywhere between $300-$800 depending on the size, style and features. Consider the following when you are evaluating the pricing and costs of water coolers:

1. Bottleless water coolers may be more expensive upfront, but if you plan on keeping your office water coolers around for awhile, you may end up saving money in the end.

2. A bottled water cooler may end up costing more in the long run when you factor in the amount of your monthly service plan over a set amount of time, but you don't have to worry about maintaining the cooler.

3. Water coolers hold different volumes of water with smaller ones costing less.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Consider whether the bottleless water dispenser or bottled water dispenser is right for your office

A bottleless water cooler dispenser hooks right into your cold water source. You'll need to change the filter about twice a year, which costs around $25-$30 each. Bottled water dispensers are less upfront, but require you to purchase water cooler jugs either monthly or as needed. Purchasing 5-gallon water bottles on your own costs around $8 per bottle.

I recommend: BuyWaterCoolers.com carries both bottled water coolers and bottleless water coolers for you to compare. They also carry filters and installation kits for the bottleless models. All Bottleless Water Coolers carries bottleless water coolers.

Decide whether a monthly service fee is worth not worrying about your office water dispensers

For many business owners time is money, which means it may be worth the monthly service fee to have all your water cooler needs taken care of by your provider. Monthly service fees vary depending on the size of the water bottles and how many you need on a monthly basis but generally run around $30 per month, which includes around five 5-gallon water bottles.

I recommend: Ice Mountain Water by Nestle Waters offers a few different plans based on how many 5-gallon water bottles you need each month. At places like Crystal Spring Beverage, you rent the water cooler at a fee per month, but the water it delivers is a few dollars less per gallon.

Purchase water coolers that fit the size of your office

If your office is on the small side, less then 20 people, there are countertop models that may work better for your office. Since water shouldn't sit stagnant for long periods of time, it's best to get a water cooler that is the appropriate size for your office, so you deplete the water on a regular basis.

I recommend: Air & Water carries a few countertop water dispensers that run around $100. Yourwaterneeds.com has a few Oasis countertop bottleless models that run a few hundred dollars less then the floor styles.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  It is important to research a few providers that carry water coolers before purchasing a cooler or a monthly service plan.

Employees love bottled water dispensers for many reasons, and you should too. Although you may think gatherings around office water coolers are a waste of your employee's time and your money, consider the benefits that one can provide to your business and its employees.

The benefits of an office water cooler dispenser include:

1. More productivity since your employees won't need to leave the office for a beverage.
   
2. The potential for a positive workplace culture to develop and grow.
   
3. Free water may be viewed as an added perk by employees.

Whether you want a basic model, a bottleless water dispenser, or one that can provide different water temperatures, a water cooler dispenser will benefit your business as you provide for your employees.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Do your research on bottled water services

You'll need a steady supply of fresh water once you buy a water cooler. If the retailer that you bought the water cooler dispenser from doesn't provide water delivery, you'll need to find a company that will bring bottled water to your office. As with other services, make sure that you know what the final price is for each delivery.

I recommend: Water.com lets you set up water delivery to your office. Culligan Water provides a free consultation and online ordering of its bottled water delivery service.

Measure your space for water cooler jugs

Although most office water coolers don't take up a lot of space, be sure that the one you choose will fit in the space you have available. If you're short on space, think about using a countertop unit, which will save you floor space. Remember that you'll also need space for extra water cooler bottles, unless you choose a bottleless option.

I recommend: The Beverage Factory has several countertop sized bottled water cooler dispensers for small spaces. Buy Water Coolers also has small-sized water dispensers.

Select water coolers that cool or heat water

While most people think of cold water when they think of water coolers, you can also find bottled water coolers that provide a steady supply of hot water along with the cold. Tea drinkers will love having on-demand hot water ready and waiting for them. Consider room temperature bottled water dispensers as some individuals are sensitive to the cold water in regular units.

I recommend: Diamond Springs sells water coolers that provide cold, hot, and room temperature water (scroll down to view the different models available). Crystal Quest offers several bottleless water coolers with hot and cold water.

Consider office decor when selecting water coolers

Bottled water coolers don't have to be boring or ugly. Rather than having an eyesore in your office, consider stainless steel, wood grain or other fashionable options. You can even find units that hide the water bottle from sight in a clean, modern looking unit.

I recommend: AquaVerve has some fashionable options for your office. Try Living in Comfort for distinctive water coolers that make a statement.

Go bottleless

Some manufacturers now offer bottleless filtered systems. You'll get the same convenience of regular water coolers without the bottle-and without the storage hassles that come with keeping extra bottles on hand between deliveries.

I recommend: Take a look at Pure 'n Natural’s bottleless office water coolers. Water Cooler Boy also has bottleless water coolers as well as a cost of ownership comparison of bottled and bottleless office water coolers.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Have at least a few employees sample the water you are thinking of using to get their opinions on the water's taste. If that's not feasible, try the water yourself before deciding. Water from different locations can have a slightly different taste depending on mineral content and other factors.
• •  Ask your water delivery service whether they provide coffee or tea service as well. The coffee and tea supplies will be delivered to your office along with the water bottles. Employees will love the extra options.
• •  Look for Energy Star approved office water coolers. A standard unit with hot and cold water can use more energy than a refrigerator. You'll save money in the long run by purchasing an energy efficient water cooler dispenser.

Water coolers are a common thing these days in homes and offices across the country. People are looking for clean, healthy water to keep them hydrated, and water coolers are a convenient, budget-friendly way to provide it. There are other pieces to the world of water coolers besides the actual cooler itself.

A brief water coolers industry overview helps you understand how to choose a water cooler.

1. The retail store you purchase your water cooler at may not provide service to deliver bottled water to your door.

2. You will need to decide whether you want your office water coolers to be bottled water coolers or bottleless water coolers.

3. You will need to decide the type of water you want your office water dispensers to hold.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Decide if you want to purchase water coolers through a retail store or a distributor

You can purchase a water cooler at a retail store, but in most cases it is up to you to provide the water cooler dispenser and the bottled water. If you want to purchase the whole package, you can buy your water cooler and a monthly service to take care of drinking water coolers for you on a regular basis. However, to save money, you can consider what it would take to monitor and service the water coolers yourself.

I recommend: Air & Water sells the popular Avanti brand water coolers and bottled water dispensers separate from monthly service plans. If you purchase a water cooler through Diamond Springs Water, a major water service provider in Virginia and North Carolina, you can purchase water cooler delivery and service, plus they include the cooler in the monthly service fee.

Choose whether you want a bottled water dispenser or a bottleless water dispenser

Bottleless water dispensers have advantages that bottled water dispensers don't offer; however, having a bottleless water cooler isn't always an option. Bottleless water coolers hook right up to a cold water source and provide filtered water without having to store bottles and having constant delivery and service needs. But, with bottled water dispensers you have more flexibility with the placement of your water cooler. It's important when deciding on your cooler to asses where in your office you plan on putting your water cooler and whether it has easy access to a water hookup.

I recommend: BuyWaterCoolers.com carries both floor and countertop Oasis bottleless models to adapt to your space. Aquaverve carries different Energy Star bottleless models.

Realize that not any old water will do in water coolers

There are many different kinds of water that you can choose to run through your office water cooler if you choose a bottled water cooler. Keep in mind what your provider offers may limit your choices. Common choices include: spring water that comes from an underground spring, distilled water which undergoes a vapor process and purified water created through any number of different scientific methods.

I recommend: Ice Mountain, made by the leading water provider Nestle Water, typically delivers spring water but gives you the option of other water for your delivery. Culligan is a worldwide bottled water service provider.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Something else to consider when choosing your water cooler is how and when you will clean the unit. If water sits in your dispenser for long periods of time, it can create mold. Water coolers with cooling units are less likely to develop mold as quickly.

Water coolers are a common appliance in any workplace. There are many options when it comes to selecting the appropriate water cooler for your office. Be sure to know the difference between a bottled and bottleless water system. It is also important to know what type of water you want to offer in your water dispenser. Is filtered or distilled water more appropriate for your employees? Take the time to familiarize yourself with water cooler key terms so you are sure to make the right choice.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Bottled water coolers, bottleless water coolers

Bottled water coolers require large water bottles, often three or five gallons in size. The bottles need to be replaced when empty and come at an additional fee per bottle. Bottleless water coolers are hooked up to a water supply and don't require changing bottles.

I recommend: Aquaverve details the benefits of a bottleless water cooler system.

Water cooler dispenser

The water cooler dispenser is the receptacle for bottled water systems. It can either cool or heat the water and allow for easy serving. The dispenser can either be rented or purchased through your water delivery service.

I recommend: Cooler Store provides a detailed diagram of how a water cooler dispenser functions.

Reverse osmosis

Reverse osmosis is the process in which water is filtered. A significant amount of pressure is applied in order to force water through a membrane that releases only pure, filtered water. Reverse osmosis filters are commonly used for solid or suspended substances present in the water.

I recommend: North Dakota State University describes the process of reverse osmosis.

Distilled water

Distilled water has undergone a process of being vaporized, resulting in water free from chemicals and other wastes.

I recommend: Energise for Life answers many common questions about the distillation process.

Granular activated carbon (GAC)/carbon block

Granular activated carbon is a type of filter that is derived from natural materials, most often coal. Using steam, the water is forced through the material to remove certain contaminants.

I recommend: Water Cooler Boy describes what activated carbon can do for your water cooler filtration system.

Filtered water

Filtered water is the type of water you will get from a bottleless water cooler. The water cooler is hooked up to a water supply, run through a filter to eliminate harmful contaminants, and pure water is served through your dispenser.

I recommend: All About Water explains the benefits of filtered water.