What is water cooler or water dispenser?
A water cooler or water dispenser is a device that cools and dispenses water. They are generally broken up in two categories: water coolers and bottled water coolers. Water coolers are connected to a water supply, while bottled water coolers require delivery (or self-pick-up) of water in large bottles from vendors. Water coolers come in a variety of form factors, ranging from wall-mounted to bottle filler water cooler combination units, to bilevel units and other formats. Bottled water coolers typically utilise 5 or 10-gallon dispensers commonly found on top of the unit. Pressure coolers are a subcategory of water coolers encompassing water fountains and direct-piping water dispensers (POUs). Water cooler may also refer to a primitive device for keeping water cool.
Water coolers are a common metonym referring to workplace socialization.
Water dispenser or water cooler type?
Wall-mounted
The wall-mounted type is connected to the building’s water supply fora continuous supply of water and electricity to run a refrigeration unit to cool the incoming water, and to the building’s waste disposal system to dispose of unused water. Wall-mounted water coolers are frequently used in commercial buildings like hospitals, schools, businesses, and other facilities.
In the standard wall-mounted cooler, also commonly referred to as a water fountain or drinking fountain, a small tank in the machine holds chilled water so the user does not have to wait for chilled water. Water is delivered by turning or pressing a button on a spring-loaded valve located on the top of the unit, that turns off the water when released. Some devices also offer a large button on the front or side. Newer machines may not have a button at all; instead,asensor that detects when someone is near and activates the water. Water is delivered in a stream that arches up, allowing the user to drink directly from the top of the stream of water.Thesedevices usually dispense water directly from the municipal water supply, without treatment or filtering.
Wall mount water coolers come in a wide variety of styles, from recessed models to splash resistant, contoured basins protruding out from the wall, traditional rounded square edge designs, bottle filler and water cooler combination units, bi-level designs, and other features and options.
Bottom-load water dispenser
Water dispensers commonly have the water supply vessel mounted at the top of the unit. Bottom-load water dispensers have the vessel mounted at the bottom of the unit to make loading easier.
Tabletop water dispenser
There are also smaller versions of the water dispensers where the dispenser can be placed directly on top of a table.
Direct-piping water dispenser (POU)
Water dispensers can be directly connected to the in-house water source for continuous dispensing of hot and cold drinking water. This type is commonly referred to as POU (Point of Use) water dispensers. These are more hygienic than bottled water coolers.
