I received the following product as part of the NewAir Brew Crew in
hopes I would share my honest opinions on setup and operation. All photos and video contained below are copyright Momma Told Me Blog 2016.
Momma Told Me: Clean water doesn't some easy.
2 years ago, on the blog, I called my father a camel and presented him with a 'fan cave' upgrade- the NewAir WCD-200W Water Dispenser. It truly can't be contested that my father demands constant hydration and the freshest tasting water; the water dispenser has proven invaluable in his baseball/football/UFC viewing room (aka the 'fan cave').
Many of my readers know this year has been an intense one for our family. Shortly after I was rear ended (at a complete stop, on the freeway) my father left the state to visit his parents for a family gathering. The trip turned into a 2 month stay after bringing my grandfather to the hospital just the day after he'd arrived. Clear across the country I did my best, car-less and unable to walk straight, to keep his home in order and look after things while he was away.
It was on one of my visits I noticed his water dispenser was nearly empty. Everyone knows the only pain about having an in home (or office) water dispenser system is the changing of those dubiously heavy and awkward 3-5 gallon bottles. It wasn't my water dispenser, so I was a bit unclear of the costs and effort that went into refilling the empty bottle. A little research showed that those not using a delivery or subscription service often paid up to $8 locally to fill their rented bottles. And, as convenient as having full bottles delivered to your home is- home delivery wasn't much cheaper.
This was all ignoring the issue- in order to replace the water bottle with a full one, I would have to lift gallons of heavy water and position it in the dispenser cabinet. That was simply not about to happen. For me the NewAir WAT10W Water Filtration Bottle was a no brainier investment. For about $40 online I could order a universal self-filtering water bottle system that fit nearly any modern home or office water dispenser units. That's 211 gallons (or 9 months to a year depending on consumption) of fresh water for the cost of one easy to replace filter. No more heavy, expensive, awkward bottle refills.
The NewAir WAT10W Filtration Bottle arrived in a few pieces, but the instructions were extremely basic and easy to follow. I attached the float to the bottom half of the bottle by gently screwing until secure. (Be careful not to over-tightern.)
Next I removed the bottle guard ring from the top of my dispenser tank to ensure that the WAT10W would sit snuggly and securely in the tank's basin. At first I thought I wasn't installing it correctly, because it didn't 'snap' or lock into place. It does fit securely and the force/weight of the full bottle helps ensure it's steady seating.
Next came the hard part. Okay- the easiest part of the simplest water bottle swap you'll ever do. In fact, with the NewAir WAT10W Filtration Bottle you'll only ever have to remove your water bottle for cleaning and maintenance. We set the middle rim atop the bottom half of the bottle, and the top half securely on top of that to create a complete bottle appearance. We then poured about 4-5 pitchers of tap water into the top half of the bottle (I call it a tank) and placed the lid atop. Anyone who can life a pitcher of water to about their shoulder height can refill a water dispenser. Who knew?
The water slowly filters through the central filter, trickling down into the bottom half of the bottle/tank. I was surprised the instructions had no mention of pre-rinsing/soaking or treating the actual filter cartridge, as is typical with carbon filtration systems. Instead, the instructions suggested flushing 2 bottles/tanks full before using the water for drinking. As a result you will notice a discoloration to the first tank or so, when dispensing.
It's important the note that you should never fill the top half of the bottle when the bottom half water level exceeds the red marker on the front of the tank. The top of the tank is intended only to hold water during the filtration process and should not be used to store 'reserve' water in advance of the actual need for refilling.
The filtration cartridge used in the WAT10W retails for around $28 at the time of this post, making this filtered water bottle system an obviously wallet (and back friendly) investment. It's also BPA free! Remember my grandfather who just spend a long period in the hospital? He's not in any position to be lifting heavy water bottles either- we invested in a WAT10W water filtration bottle for him too! And my father? I think he might actually be enjoying unlimited fresh water, and fuss free refills, even more than the original gift of he water dispenser itself! Learn more about the unique WAT10W Water Filtration Bottle from NewAir, and purchase it online here. Follow the brand on Facebook for more convenient home innovations!
What Daughter Says: As a young girl I hauled jugs of drinking water up the steps to our condo- no more back breaking clean water, thanks to this ingenious water bottle filtration system!
Check out our 1 minute WAT10W Filtration Bottle Setup + Installation Video below!
This post was sponsored by Luna Comfort's B.R.E.W. Crew. All opinions below are original and mine alone.
Momma Told Me: And everyone would gather round the water cooler.
Before I existed, Momma worked a 9-5 office job assisting with copy-writing for a marketing firm. I wasn't around, but I hear many stories, growing up, of how her and her office-mates would gather round the water cooler and dish about the latest gossip and what was on the television the night before. I never really quite understood the magical effects of this simple appliance, but I knew, someday, I wanted a water cooler of my own. Of course, the water dispensers of my time are a bit more advanced then those quick draining cabinets of Momma's work years. They are also becoming increasingly popular inside consumer homes.
Whether you're considering a water cooler to simply offset the cost of filter pitchers and individual bottles, or have a high traffic area in your home where it's required, there are several things to consider. My first suggestion is to buy a water cooler outright from a manufacturing company, such as NewAir, that does not have a stake in which water you use, or how long you own the appliance. Buying an affordable model, such as the WCD-210BK NewAir water dispenser will allow you to choose your bottles sizes (2, 3, or 5 gallon) and refill at your own convenience through delivery or a refill station.
While all water dispenser makes and models might seem identical at face value, small thoughtful features, such as the WCD-210BKs 'Spike Seal Puncture' means you can easily install a sealed water bottle without the worry of water overflow and spills. Many modern models still require you to remove the water bottle's wax-like seal and quickly turn the heavy bottle upside down, as installing. This particular unit also has the benefit of hot or cold dispensing with a temperature range of 41F - 201F; which can turn your water cooler into a hot water dispenser during those blustery Fall and Winter months.
You will also want to consider the materials your water cooler is made of; as plastic water basins can sometimes add an aftertaste to dispensed water. This particular unit has a thoughtful stainless steel drum which not only keeps the unit operating more efficiently, but eliminates aftertastes and added plastic flavors.
Many first time water cooler buyers worry about the convenience of the system setup, and consequential continued operation. Back in my childhood there were two primary methods of refilling your water cooler; a costly delivery (to your door) service, or hauling the empty jog down to a spout-fill station. These days there are affordable and eco-friendly options, such as branded refill stations where you can receive a recycling credit for used bottles, refill owned bottles, or buy an entirely new filled and sealed bottle. Naturally, how you choose to keep your water dispenser full will be determined by how often you drain your jugs, and if you have a water brand preference.
When it comes to setting up your brand new water dispenser; don't be intimidated. NewAir offers a wide range of water coolers direct to your door. The WCD-210BK requires little to no initial setup. Simply be mindful not to place the unit in direct sunlight, and ensure that it is stored on a flat, stable, surface. You'll spend more time deciding whether to put it in the garage or rec room!
What Daughter Says: Create a hub everyone will buzz around in your home, with an in-home water dispenser.
