| If you are considering installing a water cooler in | | | | this chemical. It is banned from use in certain |
| your home or workplace, there are a number of | | | | products, primarily plastic baby bottles, in several |
| factors to consider. Perhaps the most important | | | | countries and US states. |
| factor is whether you should choose a water | | | | A mains water cooler is undoubtedly cheaper to |
| cooler that is connected to your mains water | | | | run than a bottled cooler, as it has none of the |
| supply or one that uses bottled water. Each has | | | | ongoing costs associated with collecting, refilling |
| its own set of advantages, so it is worthwhile | | | | and delivering water bottles. If you are wishing to |
| spending a few minutes to learn about the | | | | reduce business costs, switching from a bottled to |
| differences and how they could affect you in | | | | a mains water cooler is a very easy way to |
| terms of your time, energy, environmental | | | | immediately start saving money. |
| impact, health, bottom line or pocket. | | | | Bottled water has experienced a huge increase in |
| Mains water coolers are connected directly to | | | | popularity during the last twenty years, thanks in |
| your mains water supply, and require no plastic | | | | the main to some clever marketing. It has been |
| water bottles. They are very simple to maintain | | | | marketed as a healthy alternative to carbonated |
| and remove the need for bottle storage, lifting | | | | sugary soft drinks. Whilst there are some very |
| and ordering. In this respect they are often | | | | good mineral waters available, the industry as a |
| favoured by businesses and people looking to | | | | whole can be misleading, with some |
| maximize their time and effort, as no time is lost | | | | misconceptions about the sourcing of so called |
| in these non-business related activities, and time is | | | | mineral or spring waters. Bottled water has often |
| money! | | | | been pitched against tap water in terms of quality |
| Bottled water coolers have a considerable | | | | and taste, but the reality is that tap water is |
| environmental impact. A significant amount of | | | | much more stringently regulated than bottled |
| energy and resources is required to produce the | | | | water. In the UK, taste comparison tests often |
| bottles, fill them and transport them, as well as | | | | show that members of the public cannot tell the |
| collect, clean and re-use them. And this is an | | | | difference between tap water and a bottled |
| ongoing drain on resources. If you are wishing to | | | | mineral water. |
| reduce your CO2 emissions, then a bottled cooler | | | | A good mains water cooler will use a sophisticated |
| is not for you. | | | | filter system to remove any possible waterborne |
| If you are interested in health issues, you may be | | | | bacteria and chlorine to ensure an unlimited supply |
| aware of the debate surrounding the safety of | | | | of great tasting water. |
| Bisphenol A in certain plastics. The plastic used in | | | | The argument for choosing a mains water cooler |
| cooler bottles usually contains this hormone | | | | is a strong one, and perhaps even more so given |
| altering chemical, and scientists are still unable to | | | | the current global economic and environmental |
| give a unanimous decision regarding the safety of | | | | climate. |