 There are three main components to consider when purchasing a Point of Use Water Cooler: size, filtration and budget.
Point of use water dispensers, or POU water dispensers, come in different sizes that accommodate different needs. One key factor is space. POU water dispensers come in either a countertop version or a freestanding version. Countertop Point of Use Water Cooler are designed to sit on top of a counter or table and do not need much space. They usually use a 1 gallon reservoir and can serve up to a 40 person office. Freestanding Point of Use Water Coolers are larger and designed to sit on the floor. The largest units can hold over 6 gallons and serve a busy 70 person office. Most freestanding point of use water dispensers serve between 40 and 60 people in an office and hold a total of 1.5 to 3.5 gallons of water. This includes both hot, cold and room temperature.
The second factor to consider when purchasing a POU water dispenser is whether to filter the water or not, and how much filtration do you need. Since POU water cooler dispensers connect directly to the city water, using no filtration is the same as drinking directly from the sink. If the city water in your area tastes good enough to drink and is filtered properly, then filtration is not necessary. However, typically water from the tap contains sediment, chlorine, minerals, and bacteria that can be harmful.
A single stage sediment water filter or carbon water filter will filter out most of the larger particles and sediment in the water. Further levels of filtration will continue to filter out the smaller particles and bacteria. Filters with smaller micron levels will catch the smallest bacteria and particles that pass through the first stages of filtration.
Reverse osmosis water filtration is usually the final stage of a three stage filtration system. This method of filtration is equivalent to a .0001 micron filter. If the city water has higher levels of bacteria, sediment chlorine, or simply does not taste good, then a three stage filtration system is recommended.
After determining the size and filtration needed for your POU water cooler, cost is the next factor to consider. On the lower end of the price spectrum, a bottled water dispenser with a POU conversion kit can be purchased for nearly $200. Typically, in this price range filtration is not included with the unit. An additional water filtration assembly will need to be installed. How fast the POU unit can heat or cool water and how much it can store will determine the price of the unit. Prices can exceed $700 for higher capacity units with higher levels of filtration.
Feel free to browse our comprehensive selection of Point of Use Water Cooler and don't hesitate to contact our knowledgeable staff to help you decide which POU water cooler is best for you. |