Should you rent or buy a water cooler? For most workplaces, renting is the simpler option. You pay one regular charge, and installation, sanitising, filter changes and repairs are part of it. Buying suits you if you’d rather own the cooler outright and you’re happy to arrange the upkeep yourself.
We rent and sell water coolers, so we see both sides. This guide sets out what each option costs you and who it suits. You won’t find prices here, because every quote depends on the cooler, the site and how many people use it.
Renting vs buying a water cooler at a glance
| Renting | Buying | |
|---|---|---|
| Up front | No large payment for the cooler | You pay for the cooler and installation |
| Ongoing | A rental charge, plus bottles on a bottled cooler | Bottles or filters, plus any servicing you book |
| Sanitising and filters | Included, to WHA standards | Up to you, or a maintenance plan |
| Repairs | Parts, labour and call-outs included | 12-month warranty, then you pay |
| Agreement | 12 months, then renews yearly | None, the cooler is yours |
How much does a water cooler cost?
The cost of a water cooler depends on the type you choose and how much it gets used, whether you rent or buy. These are the things that change the price:
- Bottled or mains-fed
- Chilled water only, or hot and sparkling as well
- Freestanding or countertop
- How many people use it each day
- How much work the installation needs, such as running a water supply to a mains-fed cooler
Not sure which type you need? Our guide to how water coolers work compares mains-fed and bottled coolers.
What do you pay up front?
When you buy a water cooler, you pay for the machine at the start, plus installation. From then on it’s yours.
When you rent, there’s no big payment for the machine. You pay a regular rental charge instead, and installation is part of the service.
With a bottled cooler you also pay a refundable deposit on each bottle. You get it back when the bottle comes back in good condition. We’ve run this deposit scheme since 1995, so our bottles get reused, refilled or recycled.
What does a water cooler cost to run?
A bottled cooler runs on bottles of spring water, in 13 or 18.9 litre sizes. We deliver within 5 working days of your order. On our rental terms, bottled customers take at least 13 bottles a year, because an opened bottle should be used within 28 days.
A mains-fed cooler uses your existing water supply, so there are no bottles to buy. The water runs through a filter, which needs changing every 6 months.
Both types use electricity to chill the water, and more if they heat it too. You’ll also need cups, unless people bring their own.
Who looks after a rented or bought cooler?
When you rent from us, we do. Our WHA-qualified engineers sanitise the cooler to WHA standards. Mains-fed coolers get a new filter every 6 months, and bottled coolers are swapped for a fresh machine twice a year. If the cooler develops a fault, we send an engineer, and parts, labour and call-outs are covered.
When you buy, the upkeep is yours. You can do it yourself, pay someone, or add a maintenance plan. We offer maintenance on coolers bought from us, for an agreed term and a separate charge. Coolers bought from us have a 12-month warranty from the date of delivery. After that you pay for repairs unless a plan covers them, and parts can be charged on top unless the plan includes a parts package.
If you buy, our guide to cleaning an office water cooler shows what’s involved.
Is it cheaper to rent or buy a water cooler?
Buying costs more at the start. Renting spreads the cost and includes the servicing and repairs you’d otherwise pay for separately. Which works out cheaper depends on how long you keep the cooler and how much upkeep it needs.
The fairest test is like for like. Ask us to quote for both, then compare the rental cost against the purchase price plus a maintenance plan.
Should you rent or buy a water cooler?
Renting usually suits you if:
- You want one regular cost with servicing and repairs included
- Nobody on site has time to look after a cooler
- You only need water for a while, such as an event or a project
Buying usually suits you if:
- You’d rather own the cooler and can pay for it up front
- You’re happy to arrange sanitising and repairs, or pay for a maintenance plan
Renting a water cooler from Thirsty Work
Our water cooler rental puts the cooler, installation, sanitising, filters and repairs on one agreement. It runs for 12 months, then renews each year unless you cancel in writing at least 30 days before the renewal date. Our guide to water cooler contracts explains the terms.
We install and service coolers across the UK, with local teams in Exeter, Plymouth, Swindon, London, Portsmouth, Walsall and Scotland. Need water for an event or a short project? We do short-term contracts too. And if you’d like to see a cooler working first, you can try one free for 10 days.
FAQs
Is it worth renting a water cooler?
It is if you want one regular cost and no upkeep to arrange. The rental covers installation, sanitising, filters and repairs. If you’d rather own the cooler and handle the upkeep yourself, buying may suit you better.
Can I buy a water cooler and still have it serviced?
Yes. We offer maintenance plans on coolers bought from us, for an agreed term and a separate charge.
Do bought water coolers come with a warranty?
Ours do. Equipment you buy from us has a 12-month warranty from the date of delivery.
Can I rent a water cooler for my home?
Yes. Home water cooler rental works the same way. A bottled cooler only needs a standard 13 amp socket, and we deliver the water to your door.
Can I try a water cooler before I decide?
Yes. We offer a free 10-day trial with no obligation.
