What is the lifespan of a Borg & Overström watercooler?
When considering the right water dispenser or tap system for their business, the facilities manager deserves to know what they’re getting into. Longevity will be what delivers a return on your investment. But once you’ve committed to getting a water dispenser or tap system from us, how long can you expect it to last?
The simple answer is: “about seven years minimum on average” – but you didn’t just come here for that. Simple answers hide complex factors, and anyone who purchases or rents a Borg & Overström water dispenser with long-term use in mind will want to know how long they can expect their machine to last and how they can influence that longevity.
With 20 years experience under our belts in designing, improving and selling water dispensers and tap systems, we know how to make our products last and how to aid users in this. Part of our mission in manufacturing is balancing distinctiveness with uniformity, ensuring a level playing field in longevity whilst ensuring each model delivers its unique qualities.
Seven years may be an average we can draw on from company data, but there is some variation among the product line. In this article you’ll learn the factors that influence the lifespan of our watercoolers.This will leave you better-equipped to make your selection and oversee its usage with confidence.
What impacts the longevity of a Borg & Overström watercooler?
- Frequency of usage
This will factor into general wear-and-tear. Higher usage will also raise the potential for an accident occurring through human error. How often your watercooler is used is usually the result of the number of employees you have and the conditions they work in.
More physically active workers such as manual labourers and fitness instructors will need to refresh more frequently than comparatively sedentary office workers. One of the quickest ways we see this factor manifest is in how soon you’ll need to arrange a filter change.
And even among office workers, usage will be determined by the general culture within their workspace, which brings us to the next factor.
- Volume of water dispensed per-usage
Frequency is one thing, but take note of how large the withdrawals of water will need to be. For example, if your employees will be using the dispenser to fill their own, individual water bottles for personal use – this will mean low volume and increased longevity.
If you are in a more HORECA-adjacent environment, you will potentially see higher-volume withdrawals which will tax the dispenser’s central operating system more. Sparkling dispensers and tap systems will also see their CO2 canisters drained quicker. Higher volume means lower longevity and more vigilance required on your part.
- Environment
We urge some of our buyers and renters to take extra precautions and secure extra features with their purchase if there is a higher risk of tampering or misuse. For example, facilities managers who wish to install a water dispenser in a school can protect their dispenser’s undercounter unit from vandalism with a tamper-proof rear cover kit.
We also provide wall mounting brackets for environments such as swimming pools where cross-contamination and bacteria buildup is more prevalent and there are slippery floors, children running around and a higher chance of accidents which could harm your unit.
- Operational style
Our water dispensers have two fundamental operating systems: manual and electronic, which present their own strengths and weaknesses. Almost all manual water dispensing in our range occurs through the C2/C3 tap system, which makes use of a handle. With no digital touch panel or remote dispensing option, it will be the responsibility of each pourer to handle the machine appropriately.
For water dispensers (countertop or floorstanding) manual use occurs only through an optional footswitch. Despite being a physical option, this will enhance longevity rather than hinder it, as it will divide usage between multiple options; with users choosing either footswitch dispensing, remote (mobile app operated) dispensing or using the standard touch panel. Spreading out usage over multiple dispensing methods will prevent any one from decaying too quickly, enhancing longevity.
Dive into a full breakdown of the differences between manual and electronic tap systems here.
- Frequency of maintenance
If you want to preserve your dispenser for as long as possible, we at Borg & Overström recommend you treat your water dispenser like your car in terms of servicing frequency. This means overseeing water filter changes to keep your water fresh and flowing optimally. We also recommend having your dispenser initially installed by a qualified technician.
Users who rent from our distributors will have a servicing provision in their contract, meaning they can have checks performed by a qualified technician at no extra expense. Those who own outright may need to make their own arrangements. Undertaking these actions now means saving yourself needing to have your machine repaired or replaced, and enjoying those full seven plus years with minimal trouble.
- Number of extra features installed
This category covers both inbuilt components and optional extras. For example, some of our newer models come with Eco mode, which induces a standby mode when the machine is left idle or in a darkened room, which prevents excessive energy consumption and lowers your bill.
Though no installable accessories play a role in hampering the longevity of the unit itself, each one represents another element the end-user must track and keep aware of. To put it simply: a dispenser may have the operational hardware and software to dispense water, but a malfunctioning extra feature might prevent that from happening and trap the user with a frustrating error message. What use is a fully operational and fuelled plane that can’t take off?
Is there any difference in lifespan for a Borg & Overström dispenser vs a tap system?
According to our internal Research & Development team: all other things equal (care, maintenance, usage and no serious accidents) there is no difference between models when it comes to lifespan.
Our machines operating out in the field see a lifespan of seven years plus. In terms of breakdown, we are not seeing any meaningful distinctions between tap systems, countertop dispensers, or floorstanding dispensers.
Determining how long your watercooler might last
- Go through all previous listed factors and make note of which would affect you the most.
- Consider getting extra coverage for your watercooler, whichever one you choose. Borg & Overström’s distributors will offer their water coolers with an extended warranty, which you can learn about here.
By now you’ll have a good understanding of how long our range lasts, what factors influence longevity you can do about these factors. Seven plus years is a long time to commit to a refreshment solution, and you’ll want the correct one. Here are the next steps you need to take:
To learn more about tap systems:
Manual and electronic taps compared
To learn more about countertop and floorstanding dispensers:
B4 vs B6: our two best-sellers compared
How much does a B6 water dispenser cost?
We are committed to ensuring your questions are answered and your browsing experience is a smooth and informative one. Please get in touch if you have any more questions.
