Pricing and Costs of Bottled Water Dispensers
How to price bottled water dispenser for your workplace
Providing a bottled water dispenser is a convenient way to promote health and productivity in the workplace, but when estimating the cost of a commercial bottled water dispenser, you must take several factors into account. Pricing and costs of bottled water dispensers depend on individual models' features, size and maintenance requirements.Which type of water dispenser you choose, whether it's a cold water dispenser, a hot water dispenser or a filtered water dispenser, will ultimately determine much of the cost. Style decisions also influence the price, since sleeker models with hidden bottles or woodgrain finish are more expensive than the standard water bottle and dispenser.
When determining pricing and costs of bottled water dispensers, take the following approach:
1. Consider the prices of a variety of upright bottled water dispenser brands;
2. Compare the cost of bottled and bottleless water dispensers;
3. Calculate an estimate for maintenance and supplies for your bottled water dispenser.
Compare water dispenser costs across brands and sizes
When shopping for a commercial filtered water dispenser, a variety of options exist. Basic cold water dispensers are fairly standard and often go for between $100 and $150. Coolers with additional features, such as a hot-cold water dispenser or a filter, have added costs.
Try: Everything Furniture sells a range of brands of upright water coolers averaging around $200. Cooler-Store.com sells both bottled and filtered water dispensers ranging from about $150 or $200 to about $500.
Look at prices of various bottleless and bottled water dispensers
Bottleless dispensers can look like bottled water coolers, but store water in a compartment rather than a bottle. Other bottleless coolers attach directly to the water line as a wall unit. Both bottled water dispensers and bottleless water dispensers have cost benefits--bottleless water dispensers do not require replacement bottles, but are more expensive up front. While bottleless and bottled water dispenser prices vary across brands, expect to pay at least $500 or more for a bottleless water dispenser.
Try: Pure n Natural's average bottleless water dispenser is about $500. An Elkay wall unit chiller and fountain, on the other hand, can run anywhere from $750 to $1500 and has replaceable filters.
Consider accessories for water dispensers when calculating cost
A commercial bottled watered dispenser comes with the additional costs of replacement bottles (unless the water cooler is a bottleless dispenser). Replacement water bottles can be delivered to your workplace from a number of companies. Filtered water also requires replacement filters, which run about $20 and are available online.
Try: Companies like Crystal Springs deliver replacement water bottles, and offer online quotes for calculating refill and delivery costs. If your commercial bottled water dispenser uses a filter, you will need to replace the filter every one to six months, depending on the frequency of use. Keystone sells various filter sizes for different water filtration systems.
- Consider reusing water bottles rather than purchasing new ones for your commercial bottled water dispenser. Having bottles refilled instead of replaced is cost effective and reduces waste.
Copyright © 2011 Business.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved.


