 Point of use water coolers are water cooler dispensers that connect directly to the building city water source, and they can be configured to filter the water, and heat or cool the water before it is used. Since the water cooler stores, and heats or cools the water, it will require an electrical power source typically a standard 115 volt outlet is needed. Depending on the type of filters the unit uses, a connection to the building’s drainage system may be needed (this is only for Reverse Osmosis filtration). There are typically twos styles: freestanding water coolers and countertop water coolers. The Freestanding Point of Use Water Coolers sit on the ground and are up to 40 inches tall; this is the most common sized water cooler. Countertop Point of Use Water Coolers are intended to be used in smaller spaces and sit on a table or countertop or desk. Because the countertop units are smaller, they store less water and are intended to service a smaller number of people. Countertop water coolers are an excellent choice for a small office water cooler.
POU water coolers can store water in heated or cooled reservoirs. Generally, a point of use water cooler can heat water up to 180 degrees Fahrenheit and cool water between 40 – 50 degrees Fahrenheit. This range is general and may vary between brands. Some POU water coolers also store and dispense water at room temperature as well, this is known as "Cook" temperature. In the industry, a Cook and Cold Water Cooler is a unit that stores and dispenses room temperature and cold water. A Hot and Cold Water Dispenser is more straight-forward indicating that the unit stores and serves both hot and cold water. Some units store and serve all three temperatures: hot, cold, and room temperature. Reservoir materials are typically either made of dishwasher-safe plastic or stainless steel. Reservoirs can hold between .5 and 6 gallons and serve between 40 and 70 people in an office.
The Point of Use Water Cooler Dispenser provides a continuous supply of water since there is no need to replace any bottles, no heavy lifting and no bottle storage.
POU water coolers are also great for serving water in places where public safety is an issue since it is difficult to pollute the drinking water with germs.
POU water coolers are typically 20 to 70% less expensive per gallon when compared to bottled water service.
When used with filtration systems, POU water coolers provide fresher tasting and healthier water than water straight from the tap.
For more information on how to select the right point of use water cooler dispenser see our POU buying guide.
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