If your company is located in London, be it a design firm at Hackney or a legal firm at Holburn, hydration for your people is paramount. Choosing the perfect water dispenser is not an easy task. You choose a bottle water cooler or a mains-fed water dispenser?

Both are good, and it all depends on your space, budget, and how many are going to be hydrated. Let’s consider this further.

What Is a Bottled Water Cooler?

A water cooler that is bottle-based is the time-honored configuration that you are accustomed to seeing for years in offices. It is a stand-alone machine with an upper-level bottle (typically 18.5 liters or so). The water runs to the cooler under the force of gravity, and it is cooled or warmed up to your taste.

There is no plumbing, so it is good for locations where it is not practical to install pipes. Pop-up stores, makeshift offices, or older homes where holes cannot be drilled through the wall are some examples.

What is a mains fed water cooler?

A mains-fed dispenser is directly connected to your water system at your premises. It cools and filters water drawn from the tap, giving an endless source without the necessity to change bottles. The units are offered to be freestanding, under-counter, or built-in to kitchen zones.

They are a modern solution and are themselves gaining popular usage amongst London offices that desire to reduce plastic usage and simplify logistics.

The Major Differences

Here are the two compared:

1. Installation & Setup

Bottled Coolers: Plug it in. You don’t need plumbing. Put the bottle at the top, and it is good to go.

Mains-Fed Dispensers: Need to be installed professionally and attached to a water supply system. They are not always ideal for all kinds of buildings, particularly old buildings that are maze-like.

2. Water Supply

Bottled Coolers: You will require regular shipments of bottle water. The suppliers also come with convenient schedules, but storage space is needed for the bottles.

Mains-Fed Dispensers: Our mains-fed dispensers provide unlimited water. Not a single delivery, storage facility, or heavy lifting.

3. Cost

Bottled Coolers: Cheaper upfront, yet frequent costs for deliveries and bottle refills are expensive.

Mains-Fed Dispensers: More expensive to install upfront, but less expensive to run in the long term, particularly for larger parties.

4. Environmental Impact

Bottled Coolers: Even recyclable bottles also contain a carbon footprint due to the production, transportation, and bottle disposal.

Mains-Fed Dispensers: Greener. Less packaging and fewer deliveries for the absence of plastic bottles.

5. Maintenance

Bottled Coolers: Low maintenance. Simply clean the unit and replace bottles as necessary.

Mains-Fed Dispensers: Require frequent maintenance to maintain the quality of filters and water. The majority of the suppliers offer this facility with the packages.

Which One is Right for You?

If your offices are small or provisional, bottle coolers are space-saving and mobile. They are ideal for locations where plumbing is not feasible or water demand is not high.

If you’re dealing with a bigger team, sustainability initiatives, or fewer deliveries and mess, then a mains-fed dispenser is the more suitable option. It’s cleaner, greener, and cheaper to run in the long run. Mains-fed systems are becoming the London company first choice, especially for newer, state-of-the-art facilities. However, bottle coolers remain practical with an occasional space or for a short-term application.

In the Choosing between bottled and mains-fed water dispensers is not just about convenience. It also relates to how your business operates daily. Consider your team size, building layout, budget, and environmental goals. If you’re still unsure, consult a local supplier who understands London’s buildings and business needs. They can help you find the right option without the hassle. Hydration sorted, now back to business.

Call at www.living-water.co.uk or ring us to discover the ideal water solution for your office.