When you’re looking into installing a water dispenser in your office or workplace, you’re taking a positive step toward helping your team stay healthy, hydrated, and productive. But you might have difficulty knowing which type of water cooler to choose – mains-fed or bottled? One of the deciding factors will often be understanding office water cooler costs in the UK. So, which makes more sense financially? We look at the costs and benefits of each to help you make the right choice.

Office water costs UK

With so many variables in the mix, office water cooler costs UK can differ greatly. Decisions can hinge on common issues like knowing how many water coolers you need, whether you should rent or buy your cooler, or even which type of cooler is right for your office. So, here are some costs and benefits of bottled and mains-fed water coolers.

Costs and benefits – bottled water coolers

Bottled water coolers are often praised – rightly in our book – for their convenience, flexibility, and ease of use. They come with low upfront costs, and the cooler is straightforward to install – all you need to do is plug it into the mains. However, if you own the unit, ongoing costs can quickly add up when you consider regular water bottle deliveries and maintenance, servicing, and sanitisation.

However, most water cooler suppliers, including us here at Thirsty Work, offer excellent, low-cost monthly rentals which can be personalised to your needs. For a monthly cost, you have a set number of water bottle deliveries, plus a maintenance and service package, and, of course, the cooler itself.

The cost per litre of bottled water can be higher than mains-fed options. If you have an office with a large team and high water consumption, this can add to the expense over and above your monthly rental cost, especially if you need additional water deliveries.

However, bottled water coolers are an excellent choice for offices without easy access to plumbing or in temporary locations. Their portability makes them a popular choice for small to medium-sized businesses, and they can be positioned wherever you like for as long as you need it.

Costs and benefits – mains-fed water coolers

Mains-fed water coolers connect directly to your mains water supply and will be a permanent addition to wherever they’re installed. While these water coolers will typically need a higher upfront investment if you’re buying one, their ongoing costs can be much lower than bottled water cooler alternatives, especially if you choose a rental option. 

Once installed, you only pay for your mains water as usual, alongside a regular maintenance and service package, making cooler rental a cost-effective choice for offices with high water usage. In addition, the Thirsty Work advanced filtration systems with mains-fed coolers ensure high-quality, fully-filtered water at a lower cost than bottled deliveries.

Mains-fed systems are an environmentally friendly option, as they eliminate the need for plastic bottles and reduce carbon emissions from deliveries. And, even though the cooler will need plumbing in, they can be installed up to 13m away from the mains pipework in any direction.

Lower your office water cooler costs with Thirsty Work

Bottled water coolers are great for smaller offices, temporary spaces, or areas without plumbing, while mains-fed coolers provide long-term sustainability for larger or more permanent areas. Whichever model you choose, your office water cooler costs UK should reflect your office's size, water usage, and available plumbing, while giving your team access to fresh, chilled, and filtered water.

For more information about our range of bottled and mains-fed water coolers and office water cooler costs to help you make the right choice, speak to our team today. Call 01392 877 172 or email hello@thirstywork.com, and you’ll get your free quote and even get started on your  10-day free trial to decide which model is best for you.