FAQs

Have questions about Spectrum Water Coolers products and services?  We have answers! Contact Us here.

Why choose Spectrum?

• Most experience in the POU (point-of-use) water cooler industry
• 100% focus on POU water coolers
• Proven track record of national account implementation
• 24 hour customer service access via web contact form, email and phone
• Ease and speed of procurement (installs within 10 days of confirmed order)
• Ease of maintenance
• Existing full US coverage for service and installation

How are the water coolers installed?
A: We install our water coolers using highly reliable, food-grade polyethylene tubing and quick-connect fittings. Every cooler installation is slightly different, but a typical installation involves putting the water filtration system under the sink in the kitchen, then running the filtered water line to the back of the cooler. We’ll also install a “T” in the filtered water line and run it to the coffee machines and ice makers. In cases where the water coolers are not located in the kitchen, we’ll run the water lines over the dropped ceilings and inside the wall. We’ll then cut a small hole in the wall behind the cooler, put a color matched wall cover plate on it, and connect the water line to the back of the cooler. Our installations are similar to how your phone or computer lines have been run throughout your office, and take from 15-45 minutes to install.

How do you know when the filters need to be changed? How often should the coolers be serviced?
A: We recommend that each cooler service a maximum of 40 employees. This will allow the filter to last for a full 12-months, while also filtering the water for your coffee and ice machines. Many of our clients choose to have their coolers serviced (filters changed, and water coolers cleaned, flushed and sanitized) every 6 months. In either case, the filtration system will automatically shut itself off when it has reached the end of its life.

What is a Reverse Osmosis (RO) Filter?
A: Reverse osmosis filters use “Semi-Permeable Membrane” technology. Water is pushed against a membrane with microscopic pores that only allow H2O molecules to pass through. All other contaminants are flushed away leaving only extremely pure water for drinking.

Where does bottled water come from?
A: Two-thirds of all bottled water today is filtered tap water; the other one-third comes from other sources such as wells or springs. Nearly all bottled water is then filtered at the bottling plant and sealed into bottles. 

What's the problem with bottled water?
A: The most obvious problem with bottled water, and the water that is dispensed from bottled coolers, is bacteria growth. After bottled water has been filtered, it sits in the bottles unrefrigerated, which allows the growth of bacteria. Moreover, dirt, dust and airborne germs can easily enter the bottled water coolers through the large opening in the top of the cooler. When the bottles are changed, the neck of the bottled is rarely sanitized, and neither are the hands of the person changing the bottle. Consequently, whatever is on the neck or on the bottle changer’s hands is now in your water storage tank. Finally, when was the last time you saw the bottled water company come and clean, or sanitize, a bottled water cooler?

What makes Spectrum Water Coolers different from other companies that supply filtered coolers?
A: Click Here

Why not reverse osmosis (RO)? Isn't RO better than water filters?
A: Yes, RO is more efficient than water filtration at removing certain types of contaminants, but those contaminants do not exist in all incoming water. For offices served by regulated water treatment facilities, the incoming water is subject to EPA regulation. Therefore, the likelihood of your treated tap water having anything in it that a water filter would not remove/reduce (that would require RO to remove), is very slim. For about 90% of all tap water circumstances, RO would be expensive technological overkill.

How long do water filters last?
A: This is best determined by the number of gallons of flow-through a filter should be expected to treat before needing replacement. There are simply too many variables to take into account to give a straight answer in terms of number of months or years.
Providing the filter is bacteriostatic, the only limit on its service life is the capacity of the media bed of that filter to continue to remove/reduce contaminants to a sufficient degree. Variables, such as the average chlorine dosage your water treatment facility puts into the tap water, will affect the service life of water filters