Countertop water dispensers have been something of a game-changer in the way offices up and down the country keep their workers hydrated.
Sharing the height of a small microwave or kettle (40 – 44 cm tall) and with a footprint similar to that of a large toaster, opting for an Aquacool countertop water dispenser is a discreet but effective way to keep the modern office well hydrated without taking up valuable floor space.
However, not all countertop machines are made equal – some come with more features and can serve up a range of sparkling and hot waters in addition to the traditional chilled.
Understandably, the more feature-packed the machine is, the larger its dimensions tend to be.
As such, there is a balance to be struck between space saving and the features of a countertop water cooler.
We take a look at some of the trade-offs below.
Basic Dimensions
A typical countertop water cooler is a small, compact device – they are slim at the front end but can run deep towards the rear (over half a metre in some cases).
That means the dimensions of a basic countertop dispenser are around: 407 × 262 × 552 mm.
That’s 0.0588 m³ or 58.8 litres of external volume.
The slim front profile is where the user interface lies, while the deep rear housing is required for the internal components and cooling unit.
Premium
More high-end countertop machines, such as the ‘Select Pro Plus’, come in at around 420 × 320 × 450 mm – that’s 0.06048 m³ or approximately 60.5 litres of physical space.
Premium machines tend to be slightly wider, but less deep than more basic versions, due to their larger cooling systems, extra dispense options – hot and sparkling water – and the UVC hardware that ensures the machine stays germ-free.
Bottled Alternatives
The alternative to a mains-fed countertop or desktop dispenser is usually a traditional bottle-fed unit.
These are necessarily larger than the countertop versions as they not only need the dispensing unit but also a space to store the large water bottle.
A classic bottle-fed dispenser typically measures something like: Height: 98 – 111 cm, Width: 31 – 33 cm, Depth: 31 – 35 cm.
That’s approximately 0.119 m³ – or about 119 litres of physical space.
Savings
A typical countertop system will occupy around 35 – 40% less space than a traditional bottle-fed system.
And of course, that’s not to mention the fact that a mains-fed countertop dispenser saves on ancillary space – such as that needed to store refill and used bottles in a bottle-fed system.
However, it should be borne in mind that this type of unit can feel bulkier on a work surface because the depth is concentrated.
Conclusion
Research on workplace hydration suggests that good hydration habits require a visible supply that is conveniently situated near work areas and easy to access.
With that in mind, an eye-level, conveniently located countertop water dispenser is the ideal way of giving workers the water they need in the places they find most convenient.
