It would seem, what can be difficult in choosing a water cooler? You come to the store, buy what you like according to the color or budget, pack it and take it home or to the office. But if you want this purchase to be not just a dispenser for pouring water, but a practical and convenient device, it is still advisable to pay attention to some of its parameters.
Instructions for choosing a water cooler
So, in order to choose a convenient, practical and functional water cooler, it is advisable to use the following instructions:
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Determine the type of placement – on the table or on the floor;
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Choose the cooling method – compressor or electronic;
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Determine the type of control – electronic or mechanical;
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Select the type of feed – top or bottom;
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Define the required additional functions (filtration, carbonation, ozonation);
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Assess the reliability of the device through, first of all, the quality of its assembly and materials;
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Check power parameters and energy efficiency class;
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Check the device's safety systems, including those against children.
And now in more detail on each of these stages.
How to choose a water cooler depending on its characteristics
Type of allocation
Water coolers are divided into desktop and floor-standing ones by placement type. As the name implies, the former are installed directly on the table (as well as a bedside table, chest of drawers or any other piece of furniture in general), and the latter are installed on the floor. But the difference between them is not only in size.
Desktop coolers are compact, with an electronic (in most cases) cooling system and almost silent operation. But they are characterized by low power and low productivity, as a result of which they are suitable for use at home or in small groups.
Floor standing coolers are more powerful and efficient in most cases. But they make noise – due to the operation of the compressor or fan. Therefore, it is better to install them in large offices. However, they are also suitable for home use, but it is worth considering that in some cases they will make noise.
Cooling method
There are two ways to cool a liquid in such devices – compressor and electronic. The first turns the dispenser into a small refrigerator (there are both refrigerant pipes and the compressor itself, as the name implies); the second uses Peltier elements to lower the temperature of the liquid.
Compressor water coolers are highly efficient and cool moisture quickly. So they are suitable for large families and large groups. Disadvantages – the compressor is still noisy, and the cooler can only be transported standing, otherwise the refrigerant will leak.
Water coolers with an electronic cooling system are generally silent and can be transported in any position. At least roll on the floor. However, the performance of Peltier elements is low, so such devices are suitable for small families and small groups. And the room where they are installed must be regularly ventilated.
Control type
Control systems in water coolers are mechanical and electronic. Moreover, the first ones practically died out in 2018. Mechanical control systems drastically limit the cooler's functionality, turning it into a water dispenser, and nothing more – no heating, no cooling, no ozonation with carbonation. But they are as reliable as a Swiss watch.
Electronic control systems are a little less reliable, but the coolers equipped with them can do everything – both heat moisture and cool. And if you pay a little extra, you can buy a model with support for carbonation, ozonation or filtration (more on this later).
Water supply type
The type of supply is the location of the bottle with a supply of water. Accordingly, it can be top and bottom.
Top feed is the most classic option. Coolers with such bottle placement differ in variety and relatively low price. And even when using it, you can see how much water is left in the flask. The only drawback is that you have to periodically strain your back, throwing a 16-liter (and, accordingly, 16-kilogram) bottle.
Water coolers with a bottom feed are spared from this drawback. In them, the bottle is installed at the bottom of the device, and then it is also closed with a decorative panel. As a result, the 'technique' turns into a work of the art of filling. But models with a lower feed are relatively expensive, and their reliability is questionable due to the additional installed pump.
Functionality
The basic functionality of this 'filling technology' includes heating and cooling the liquid. But, if desired and not too limited on a budget, you can also purchase models with additional features – ozonation, carbonation and filtration.
Ozonation is one of the ways to electrically purify water. It is saturated with ozone gas obtained directly in the device, which is harmless to humans, but very dangerous for all bacteria and ciliates. As a result, the microbiological purity of the water increases.
By the way, have you noticed how easy it is to breathe after a thunderstorm? To go straight with zippers? This is precisely because of the ozone, it cleared the air and is still present in it.
Carbonation is actually the saturation of water with carbon dioxide. This function is hardly suitable for tea and coffee lovers, but for those who want to have a glass of cold soda in the middle of the day, it is necessary. But it is worth considering that in this case you will have to regularly buy high-purity carbon dioxide cartridges.
And also in the rooms where the device is installed, it is necessary to regularly ventilate.
Filtration – additional water purification. Most likely, the ordered liquid in bottles has already passed all the necessary stages of removing contaminants, but if you follow the 'trust but verify' principle and actively take care of your health, then it is worth purchasing a model with this function.
Unless you still need to regularly buy filter cartridges and change them.
Reliability
After deciding on the technical characteristics, it's time to visually evaluate the device case. It must be assembled efficiently and reliably. No huge gaps between parts, no 'plastic smell' and no wires sticking out of the case.
Check that all buttons and pedals are pressed easily and smoothly, the faucets turn. If something does not work correctly or is in doubt, hand over the purchase to the seller and ask for a new one.
In addition, floor standing coolers should not have the characteristic suffocating refrigerant smell. Its presence means that the freon still leaked during the transportation of the device.
Power
Three parameters are responsible for the performance of the water cooler:
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Heating power;
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Cooling capacity;
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Energy efficiency class.
The first parameter shows how quickly the water will heat up. The higher it is – the, in theory, less time will be required for the heating element to prepare a hot drink. However, it is also worth considering the volume of the hot water tank.
Thus, the optimal power of the heating element with a tank of less than 1 liter is up to 600 W. If it is more, the water will heat up faster, but you will also have to pay more for utilities.
But the cooling capacity is usually indicated not in watts, but in capacity (3-5 glasses per hour or 2 liters per hour, for example). Here it is already worth choosing depending on the planned use.
And finally, there is a clear and unambiguous recommendation about the energy efficiency class. The higher it is, the better. And that's all.
Safety
If you choose a cooler according to these instructions, then the electrical safety of the device was taken care of even at the stage of physical examination. Very often the build quality speaks for the absence of defects.
Therefore, now it is enough to check the availability of protection from children – especially if there is a small and curious child in the house. It manifests itself in the presence of a special latch on the tap for water supply. If there is a latch, that's good. Of course, using the device will not be so convenient, but the child will not get burned.
