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What ENERGY STAR certification covers
ENERGY STAR uses the term “water cooler” for qualifying freestanding appliances that dispense potable water. Its criteria cover bottled and point-of-use (POU) models, including conditioned-storage and on-demand designs; some coolers may also offer sparkling, alkaline or flavored water. Certification does not apply to every appliance marketed as a water dispenser. Certain pressurized products that are not freestanding, and units primarily intended to make or store ice, are excluded. See ENERGY STAR’s water-cooler overview and product criteria.
ENERGY STAR Version 3.0 took effect March 23, 2022. The partner page says no new version is currently in development, but use the live consumer criteria and Product Finder to confirm a product’s current status.
Choose the water source that suits the installation
Bottle-source coolers
A bottle-source cooler draws water from a bottle or reservoir. It does not require a pressurized water connection, but someone must replace or refill the supply as needed.
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#1 Best Overall
- THREE TEMPERATURES Three temperature settings allow you to customize your drinking experience This dispenser features a crisp cold cool or piping hot output.Hot water - Heating Power : 420W. cold water- Cooling Power: 100W.
- INNOVATIVE DESIGN Our sleek stylish stainless steel cabinet will make this water cooler fit right into your home kitchen or office
- LIGHT THE WAY Our built-in nightlight makes the water spouts clearly visible at night & has an empty-bottle indicator that lights up when the bottle needs to be replaced
- BOTTOM LOADING WITH BIOGUARD: Our water cooler is bottom loading to eliminate the strain of lifting, reduce spills and is suitable for 3-5 gallon water bottles (BOTTLE NOT INCLUDED). High contact areas are also treated with BioGuard anti-microbial coating to prevent bacteria growth
Point-of-use coolers
A POU cooler connects to a pressurized water source, avoiding routine bottle replacement. It is a practical fit only where an appropriate water connection is available. Confirm installation requirements for the exact model before buying; the ENERGY STAR listings cited here do not establish plumbing details across products.
Decide which temperatures and heating design you need
Models may dispense cold water only, cold and room-temperature water, or hot and cold water. For hot water, distinguish between conditioned storage and on-demand heating:
Rank #2
- BOTTOM LOAD WATER COOLER DISPENSER: Don’t struggle to lift heavy bottles. Simplify your life with a bottom loading water cooler dispenser for 5 gallon bottles. The cabinet fits either a 3- or 5-gallon jug bottles and perfectly accommodates both.
- HOT, COLD & ROOM-TEMPERATURE WATER: Three temperature settings allow you to customize your drinking experience. The Brio Essential hot and cold water dispenser features hot, cold, and room-temperature functions for either refreshing and satisfying hydration or a soothing hot beverage.
- CHILD-SAFETY LOCK: Never worry about accidental pouring of hot water again with the two-step dispenser on the hot-water spout. Simply release the lock located above the dispensing button and enjoy soothing hot water at your fingertips. Rest assured that the safety of you and your loved ones are in the hands of Brio Water Engineers.
- SMART TECHNOLOGY: Maintenance with this water machine is a breeze with smart technology, as it lets you know when the bottle needs to be replaced. Take the guesswork out from refills and upkeep with the water cooler that conveniently reminds you.
- INNOVATIVE DESIGN: The stylish design features a stainless-steel accent and is the perfect 3 or 5 gallon water cooler dispenser for any home or office. The elegance of this unit will add style anywhere while also delivering refreshingly cool or soothing hot water at your fingertips.
- Conditioned storage: The cooler keeps thermally conditioned water ready in tanks. ENERGY STAR sets separate no-water-draw limits for low- and high-capacity versions.
- On-demand: The cooler heats water when requested. Delivery typically takes a few minutes, rather than keeping hot water ready in a tank.
Choose based on how often people need hot water and whether they value immediate availability more than the different energy threshold associated with each design.
Compare the ENERGY STAR energy limits by category
ENERGY STAR’s current consumer criteria specify maximum energy use under test conditions with no water drawn. Match a cooler to its category before comparing its figure:
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Rank #3
- THREE TEMPERATURES: Three temperature settings allow you to customize your drinking experience. This dispenser features a crisp cold, cool, or piping hot output
- SELF CLEANING FEATURE: The self cleaning feature sanitizes & purifies the dispenser for your safety.
- LIGHT THE WAY: Our built-in nightlight makes the water spouts clearly visible at night & has an empty-bottle indicator that lights up when the bottle needs to be replaced.
- BOTTOM LOADING: Our water cooler is bottom loading to eliminate the strain of lifting, reduce spills and is suitable for 3-5 gallon water bottles (BOTTLE NOT INCLUDED).
- CHILD SAFE: This product is UL Listed and features a child safety lock on the hot water spout so the entire family can use it worry free.
| Cooler category | Maximum no-water-draw energy use |
|---|---|
| Cold-only or cook-and-cold | ≤0.16 kWh/day |
| Low-capacity, conditioned-storage hot-and-cold | ≤0.68 kWh/day |
| High-capacity, conditioned-storage hot-and-cold | ≤0.80 kWh/day |
| On-demand hot-and-cold | ≤0.18 kWh/day |
These are category-specific test-condition limits, not a prediction of what a particular household or office will use over a day. Actual use depends on operation and water draws, so a lower threshold in one category does not make that model directly comparable to a different type.
Match capacity to expected traffic
ENERGY STAR describes lower-capacity coolers as suitable for homes and other low-use settings, while high-capacity models are intended for offices and busier spaces. Higher capacity can use more energy, so avoid choosing a larger unit unless expected demand calls for it. Capacity classification and energy threshold should be considered together, not as interchangeable measures of efficiency.
Rank #4
- INSTALLATION KIT: Full installation kit consisting of 20' of 1/4" tubing, 3 way plastic 1/4" push connect adapter, under sink 3/8" adapter with shut off valve, filter flushing adapter, and detailed instructions with illustrations.
- DUAL FILTRATION: Patented Dual filters are included with the water cooler. This consists of a Sediment filter (listed as model Avalon A5FILTER) and a Carbon Block filter (listed as model Avalon A4FILTER) which will last 6 months or 1500 gallons.
- THREE TEMPERATURES: Three temperature settings allow you to customize your drinking experience. This dispenser features a crisp cold, cool, or piping hot output
- BOTTLELESS: Our water cooler is bottleless and will reduce the cost of constant purchases of water. The water is filtered with our dual filtration system consisting of a sediment filter and a carbon block filter.
- SELF CLEANING FEATURE: The self cleaning feature sanitizes & purifies the dispenser.
Verify the exact model before you buy
- Open the ENERGY STAR Water Coolers Product Finder.
- Search or filter for the product type you need, such as bottled or POU, and the relevant temperature and heating design.
- Match the complete model identifier in the finder to the retailer’s listing. Similar product names are not enough to confirm certification.
- Check the current certification record and energy value, then compare the exact listing’s dimensions, safety features, warranty, maintenance requirements and price. Those purchase details are not established consistently by ENERGY STAR’s records.
The captured finder view showed 181 certified-product results, including bottled and POU models; the count and individual model status can change, so check the live finder rather than relying on that snapshot.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.A certified model example, not a universal winner
ENERGY STAR’s record for the KOHLER K14 identifies it as a certified, high-capacity POU cooler with conditioned storage and no-water-draw energy use of 0.5 kWh/day. That figure is within the current 0.80 kWh/day limit for high-capacity conditioned-storage hot-and-cold units. It illustrates how to compare a model against its category; it does not establish that the K14 is the best choice for every space. The cited records do not compare current prices, reliability, service or user-tested performance.
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- HOT, COLD & ROOM-TEMPERATURE WATER: When you use our water cooler dispenser you can choose between crisp cold, room-temperature and piping hot output, making it ideal for cool refreshments or toasty beverage, satisfying all your hydration needs.
- INNOVATIVE & STYLISH: Brio Essential has a sleek stainless-steel cabinet that makes this water cooler fit right into your home, kitchen or office. Enjoy the modern cooler that provides you with all that you need and more.
- TOP-LOADING FEATURE: Brio water cooler features a top-loading water system, which allows you to see if the dispenser is running low. This is suitable for 3-5-gallon water bottles and creates a tight seat to prevent any contaminants from entering your water supply.
- SAFETY FEATURES: Never worry about accidental pouring of hot water again with the two-step dispensing on the hot-water spout. Simply release the lock located above the dispense button and enjoy soothing hot water at your fingertips. Always have visibility due to the nightlight that illuminates the dispense point, so pour fro Rest assured that the safety of you and your loved ones are in the hands of Brio Water Engineers.
- UL/ENERGY STAR CERTIFIED: Don’t take our word for it! Our products have been independently tested and meets the applicable published standard. Trust the brand that exceeds all standards and delivers quality coolers in every box, trust Brio Water.
What manufacturers need to do to qualify
For manufacturers, ENERGY STAR’s partner guidance says: “To qualify a new product, contact an EPA-recognized Certification Body (CB) to have the product’s performance certified.” See ENERGY STAR’s water-cooler partner guidance.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
