Requirements for Stainless Steel Water Cooler (Floor Standing / Wall-Mounted)

1. WATER INLET
If the water cooler is to be placed near or on same side (not across the room) as the water basin or sink, we can tap the water inlet from under the sink.

However, if there is no sink in the space or room where this water cooler is to be placed, you might want to get your contractor to provide a water point with a THREADED end or an on-off valve like that circled in green:

2. ELECTRICAL SOCKET
Electrical socket (if the electrical socket is lower than the body of the water cooler, it is recommended to have waterproof cover)

A standard Singapore socket is required, our appliance is of 230V, 13A.

3. DRAINAGE
A drainage is required. Your contractor could provide us with a constructed open pipe like that:

Or if there is available floor trap that is near (within 1m) where it could be accessed with no bends in pipe or hose, it is also ideal. 

Some reference pictures after installation:

While this is not recommended, since the water is premium, we do not want people to accidentally touch the lever and thus dispense water when not needed. There is also the concern about safety at hot water.

However, if you do not have kids in the environment and find pressing the button + pushing the lever a chore, feel free to do the mod, but if you have water in your machine already, I suggest you do this when the bottle is empty. When this bottle is empty, you will still have water in the machine as there is hot and cold water tank inside the machine (which is not visible unless you open the machine).

Step 1: Remove the header panel
Unscrew the 3 screws as per the image:

Step 2: Remove the spigot cover
Pull cover downward to remove.

Step 3: Replace the spigot cover
Push cover up till you hear a click. Hopefully you have done so successfully, or else you might need to make do without the spigot covers, with does not affect functionality but looks less pretty without it.

Depending on the types of dispensers, some dispensers do require piped-out drainage. Office type of water dispensers that have plastic exterior usually do not require water drainage points.

4 Types of water discharge points

1. Under Sink Discharge pipe

If location of water cooler is near the sink, we can make use of the drainage pipe under the sink. Eg:

2. Contractor/plumber built drainage pipe

Plumbers / contractors can do a site visit to quote and propose how to run the discharge point, it could be linked to the nearest toilet or any discharge point.

3. Floor trap point

If location of water cooler is near the floor trap, discharge pipe or hose can easily be connected to it.

4. Into drain (hack floor to conceal discharge pipe)

If location of water cooler is near a small drain, it is also feasible to hack the floor to conceal a discharge pipe, linking dispenser to the drain, so that the pipe is conceal and does not pose as a trip-over hazard.

Pros and cons of renting / leasing water dispenser at HappyPenguin (vs outright purchase)

Pros of rental (yes, the good):

• BRAND NEW
  Rest assure that even though you are renting, water dispenser is brand new. (min 2 years contract)

• NO HUGE LUMP SUM PAYMENT
  Outright purchase of water dispenser can cost up to thousands of dollars. You can have the convenience of hot & chilled water right away with a $20 admin fee and first month’s rental fee. (Note that a $200 returnable deposit applies)
• SCHEDULED SERVICINGS
  All servicings are scheduled in our system so you do not miss out on any regular servicings.
• WARRANTY
  Outright purchase of water dispenser typically covers 1 year for warranty. For rental of water dispenser, there is no surprise expense on repair or breakdown because our ASSURE rental programme covers it all.
• MINIMAL DOWNTIME
  Should the water dispenser one day require time at workshop, we will loan a dispenser so you can still have disrupted good drinking water at work
• RENEW CONTRACT WITH LATEST WATER DISPENSERS & DISCOUNT
  Yes, we sometimes need a little novelty in life, even for water dispensers. You will be entitled to renew water dispenser rental agreement with a new latest design water dispenser that we offer, at even lower prices!

Think of it as a subscription and focus on what you do best at work! Can’t find the model that you want for rental? Email us and we will work out the quotation for you.

Cons of rental (& the not so good):

• Less attractive for small outfit 
  It might cost less to do an outright purchase should you not require frequent servicings.
• More paperwork 
  We require customer to register a card with Stripe for monthly auto charge. IC or business profile and agreement are to be submitted to process application and may take a tad longer in processing.
• 2 years committment 
  Min 2 years committment of monthly payment

So, are you ready to rent a dispenser? Check out > renting / leasing water dispenser at HappyPenguin

Water filters can remove contaminants present in water, such as sediments, chlorine & by-products, odor, atrazine, lindane, lead, rusts, toxins, pesticides, bacteria & virus from your drinking water. There are many filtration technologies & a few dispensing modes. We are going to discuss about one mode of dispensing filtered water – under sink.

Beauty of under sink water filters

If you just want clean, quality water that you can consume direct from your tap (ROOM TEMPERATURE), a beautiful solution is under sink water filtration. It is a Point-of-use water filtration system filters water at the point nearest to the outlet, ensuring you have good water when you want to drink it.

It usually does not require electricity, unless it is RO or Electrolysis. Therefore, there is no electrical components to maintain. It is an economical solution that requires very minimal maintenance & investment is usually not too big.

Singaporean locals have this passed down tradition to boil water to cool it down to room temperature, to have safer drinking water. Under-sinks keep the counter CLUTTER FREE from water jugs & other containers that you might otherwise use to keep your drinking water (had you got to do the traditional method).

Feasibility of under sink water filters

Maybe you think that under sink water filtration fits your needs. The next question is the feasibility of installing one. Installation of under sink filters usually comprise of drilling hole to install a small tap that is just for filtered water (separate from the unfiltered tap water used for washing dishes) & mounting or fixing the filter body under the sink, in the cabinet below your kitchen sink. The mounting or fixing of filter body (housing or cartridges) and connecting the outlet to the faucet is usually straightforward. So let us concern ourselves with the installation of the tap.

Typical faucet installations for under sink filters

– examples of faucets installed for under sink water filters

Drilling of 1.2cm diameter hole is typically required, to install the auxiliary faucet. There are 2 options to install it on. Counter top OR sink corner.

Drilling on counter top material

If your tap is to be installed on your counter top due to under mount kitchen sinks, & your counter top is made of these materials, we can drill a 1.2cm hole to install the faucet for you.

• solid surface
• Acrylic
• Laminate
• Wood
• resin

However, some households have counter top materials that are not drill-friendly, such as quartz, marble, granite, cement or concrete (underneath, with tiled top).

Drilling on sink corner

In these cases, if there is space on the sink corner, customers will usually prefer the drill on the (usually metal) sink.

Required space for faucet base

If you have a diameter of MINIMUM 3.2cm diameter base, we can install the basic (Hyundai Waco or Paragon brand) faucet tap for you. If the corner is not tight for 3.2cm diameter, shop now here https://shop.waterfilter.com.sg/water-filters/under-sink.html

If your sink corner seem tight, you are not sure if it is enough space for 32mm diameter, fret not.
For such scenario, you may DOWNLOAD this pdf to cut the circle to place on your corner to see if it is good.

Cut-out template is here!

Under-sink-water-filter-tap-1a1.pdf

1. DOWNLOAD pdf from the link
2. PRINT
3. CUT out Circle A for minimum space requirement
4. PLACE cut-out on FLAT surface at your corner and see if there is space for it. If there is, congrats, you can possibly choose from our under sink water filters in our shop! If otherwise, contact us to discuss. There are other alternatives.
5. Snap TWO pics with mobile:
   – cut-out on corner
   – under the sink
6. You may want to send us #5 via WhatsApp direct at https://wa.me/6590016441
7. Shop Now
   https://shop.waterfilter.com.sg/water-filters/under-sink.html

Well, there are a few ways to increase the height considerably.

1. Customise your own!
You could customise a platform for it to sit on. We have customers doing that.
Pros:
– You can customise the height to be really tall & it can be very stable, strong and matches the look/ colour of dispenser.

– Even if you change a dispenser, you could still use it (dispensers seem to be universally short)

Cons: It will cost a bit to make it.

For example:

2. Fridge stands
Or the cheapest and fastest is to but this old style fridge height extension (which can be bought at neighbourhood hardware stores. Just ask for “fridge stands” and they will show you.

Pros:
– Cheap & readily available (less than $10 for a set of 4)

Cons:
– Limited height (8.3cm extension is as tall as it gets)
– May not look too classy

Let us know if you need help to buy this one, its less than $10 for a set of 4, extension height of 8.3cm. When we change filter or when we install, we can bring it.

Notice the fridge stand is used at the foot of this dispenser:

3. Use whatever short stand you can get
Just bear in mind the weight of the dispenser or keep your eyes open when you shop.

Cons:
– When buying ready-made generic furniture for this, it may not be tested to take the weight, so think of the structure of the furniture selected. A floor standing dispenser plus the water in it is around 30ish kg.

Why not drill hole

There are some customers who does not want to install the faucet that comes with the filtration system due these 2 reasons:

1. Renting the apartment
You who are renting the apartment may not want to drill a hole on the sink or counter top as it is subject to approval by landlord and that is a hassle.

2. Quartz, Granite, Marble
Quartz/ Marble/ Granite top not installed yet, kitchen under renovation
If you have one of the counter tops like quartz, granite or marble, you might not want to drill on it, thought it is not always the case that it has to be drilled on the counter. For sinks that are not over-mount by the counter, drilling on metal sink is easy.

Over-Mount Sinks (does not have exposed sink top areas) E.g.:

We can drill on quartz but it requires our external contractor to do it and it is not covered under basic installation. $50 is chargeable.

We do not drill on marble and granite.

Quartz/ Marble/ Granite top not installed yet, kitchen under renovation
If your marble / granite / quartz top is not installed yet and you need to drill on counter as you have a total under-mount sink, you can get your designer or contractor to have your counter drilled with a hole. The hole needed is 12mm. For Hyundai 500N & Paragon 1-stage, 2-stage, 3-stage)

Using under-sink filtration systems without installing auxiliary filter

There are alternatives and it all depends on your situation.

1. Using the “hot” water hose in a mixer tap
You can use this only if you have a mixer tap and does not use hot water or does not have a heater for the kitchen sink. A mixer tap has 2 hoses, if you check underneath the tap thats installed. We can make use of the “hot” water hose to be connected to the FILTERED water. So when you switch your water faucet to complete “hot”, its filtered water being dispensed.

2. Using a 3-way tap
If you use hot water at sink, you can consider a 3-way tap. A 3-way tap has 3 hoses, one for hot, one for cold, the other for FILTERED water. HOWEVER, if you are now having a SINGLE tap, that is not a mixer tap, chances are, the current hole in which your tap is in, is NOT big enough to install the mixer or the 3-way tap. A 3 way tap hole needed is same as that of the mixer tap. So, sorry for singles, maybe you cannot use this option unless the current hole is expanded.

Look at how beautiful this 3-way tap is!

If you have any more questions regarding this topic, you might want to email us or call us.

Why use shower filter in Singapore? 

Find out more

Which to choose?

There are 2 models of shower filter we brought in to Singapore:
– Paragon SHF-1 (Line Shower Filter)
– Paragon HSF-1 (Handheld Shower Filter)

SHF-1 LINE Shower – Use-and-throw

Why use this LINE SHOWER FILTER:

This model allows you to KEEP THE CURRENT SHOWERHEAD that you already have if you would like to keep using your current shower head. SHF-1 is a use-and-throw model, so if you are looking to “try and not see how it goes”, maybe this is a better option.

(Here are some reasons why you might prefer to keep your current shower head and its perfectly fine! Perhaps it is a fancy WATER SAVER one that you are having, perhaps its a NEW one you got not too long ago & you don’t want to replace it yet (maybe you spent a little fortune on it,  like a designer brand one) or perhaps, you just don’t fancy the WEIGHT of the filter on the shower head.)

HSF-1 HANDHELD Shower – Shower head & replaceable filter (comes in complete set with flexi-hose, wall bracket & screws)

Why use this HANDHELD SHOWER FILTER:

You might want to consider this SHF-1 if your current showerhead is OLD, and you want to replace it anyway. HSF-1 has a replaceable has a filter cartridge. So if you like to be earth friendly, choose this HSF-1. Unlike the use-and-throw model, this allows you to use the shower head for years and change the filter as often as you like, (recommended at least every 9 months to 1 year). However, please note that as the filter for this model is on the shower head, it is heavier at the showerhead, if you have kids who removes the shower head from the bracket and does not put it back properly and drops it, maybe you should consider the use-and-throw LINE SHOWER.

What’s the big deal with Paragon Shower Filters

Paragon showers are good lookers, compared to plastic-ky looking peers and see through showerheads. Paragon shower filters can blend into the posh look you have in your proudly designed bathroom and designer bath ware without looking out of place.

Plus, in Singapore, I have not seen many (or actually any shower filter certified to NSF Standards 177). SFRC cartridge used in HSF-1 is certified to NSF 177 Standards to reduce free available Chlorine. (NSF is a well-regarded independent certification body well recognized internationally. It provides the assurance valued by consumers, manufacturers, retailers and regulatory agencies worldwide.)

What is Free Chlorine? >

How to install Paragon shower filter

Here are some ways you could install the Paragon (Line Shower Filter) SHF-1 & Paragon (Handheld Shower Filter) HSF-1. Technically, install shower filter anywhere before the water comes out from the outlet that showers you.

Where to buy Paragon Shower Filters 
https://shop.waterfilter.com.sg/shower-filter.html

There. This is how it looks:

Yes, water coolers can be any water dispensers that has the chilled water function. Different countires and places term it differently Over here we are going to talk about this type of stainless steel EXTERIOR water dispensers (don’t worry, ALL of our water coolers & office-type water dispensers have STAINLESS STEEL water tanks). This type of stainless steel water dispensers has the ones that can dispense hot water too.
If you have not bought or installed one before, you might not know a thing or 2 about it though. I mean, who gives the water cooler much thought, even if you use it daily. But if you are reading this article you must be keen to find out more about water coolers, maybe to source for one or many, & perhaps wonder what REQUIREMENTS there are, to install at the preferred locations.

2 types of dispensing outlets
There are 2 types of dispensing outlets typically, at a water cooler, the BUBBLER and the GOOSE-NECK Spout. However, some water fountains (like what we see at like the Singapore Changi airport, etc,) only comes with the bubbler.

Bubbler:

Bubbler is the basic dispensing option at all water coolers and water fountains since it offers the ability to drink water without a cup, all you need is to put your mouth near it, press the button on the bubbler and you get a stream of chilled water shooting out in an arch. However, due to Covid-19 experience, we do get some customers we does not want a bubbler anymore, for a more precuatious approach towards hygiene practices. This can be removed and still look nice (see image below).

Goose Neck Spout:

Goose neck spout offers the height, which makes it easy for you to refill your water bottle with the nice chilled water to cool down in our hot Singapore weather. It also makes getting hot water in a cup easier for your fix of coffee or even cup noodles. However the ones you see in public rarely comes with hot water function (which makes sense).

Hot & Cold Water Coolers
Yes, there is the Hot function ones if you need the hot water. Typically, there be 2 spouts, one for hot and one for cold. And of course for safety’s sake, the bubbler is only for the cold water.

Drainage is required
Because water coolers are used for outdoor (likely with shelter) and the masses, there is no one to clear the drip tray often enough, it is designed with requirement of the drainage. So you should plan to install the water cooler near to a drainage point.

Planning for location of water cooler
Near WATER POINT
A water cooler of the type we have been discussing is a piped-in type. That is, it is installed by connecting to a water point directly so water is fed into water cooler uninterrupted. If no water point is nearby then perhaps some plumber works is required for piping.

Near POWER SOCKET (1M PREFERRED)
Having a chilled water cooler means you require electricity so that the compressor could work. So having a power point nearby definitely helps. If otherwise, an electrician’s work is required to install the power point.

Near DRAINAGE POINT
This drainage point will dispose of the water from the basin of the water cooler to the drainage so least maintenance is required.

Water Filter for water dispenser
Some purchase of water coolers come with filter. In Singapore, our government says that water is safe for drinking without any Point of use treatment. However, if you are like me, I definitely do not like to taste chlorine in my drinking water, & prefer filtered water JUST before drinking. If you have the option to get water filters at POINT-OF-USE and CHANGE your filters fairly regularly, I bet it improves the water quality. Water after all, also travel through pipes which we have no control of. If your organization is the type that could leave the filters in for a long long time without changing, then go WITHOUT a filter.

For FLOOR STANDING water coolers, the water filters  are usually installed inside the the water cooler body since there is space inside the body. However, for WALL-MOUNTED ones, the water filters may have to be installed INSIDE or OUTSIDE the water cooler, depending on the make of your water cooler. It is definitely neater to have the water filters inside the machine. But if you are going to have in-house handy man or facility co-worker change the filter, it may be easier to have it outside if you do not want him to open the panel on the water cooler body (it is not difficult to do so though). Some wall mount water coolers are made such that the filtration system is inside the body while some are made such they may not have space for the 10″ filtration housing.

Why Wall Mount?
Wall mount water coolers are great where you need the CUSTOMIZED HEIGHT. So this comes in handy in schools where there are small kids and children who might not be able to reach if it’s the floor standing. It is also HANDICAP FRIENDLY, so people sitting in wheelchair will have no problem accessing water. It is especially so when the BODY of the wall mount is short, so partial of the wheelchair could go under, thus providing a better angle to access water for one sitting in a wheelchair.

If you require water filter change and is using the universal 10” type of water filter element, do check with us, we sell that! Usually water cooler filters come in 1 or 2 –stages water filtration, 1st stage sediment element and 2nd stage carbon element. We also have a 2-in-1 type of Sedi-Carbon filter replacement for the 10″ type of water filter housing.

If there is anything you would like to add on to make this resource more complete, please let us know at enquiry@watefilter.com.sg

Under-sink Water Filter (without the drilling)
Want to enjoy filtered water but have a clean, clear kitchen counter? Don’t want to drill a hole for the auxiliary faucet for the under-counter water filter?

Or perhaps you can’t drill hole as you are staying in a rental unit or do not like to have another faucet on your counter.

Granite & Marble counter top – No drilling
Or perhaps your sink is totally under-mount by surfaces like marble, granite or quartz and have difficulty getting the water filtration company to drill a hole for you, then you have this “no-drill” problem too. (Other solid surfaces are ok to drill, our plumber or technician will do the job.)

If you have yet to install your marble or granite or even quartz kitchen counter, don’t! Get your contractor or counter top factory to drill the hole for you before they install it for you, they will even do it for no extra charge. Then problem solved.

Why auxiliary faucet
Most under-sink water filtration systems come with a set of dedicated small faucet for installation on counter to and that requires a drilling of 12mm diameter hole on the sink top or counter. This way, you can enjoy filtered water for drinking and preparation of food, without wasting the filtered water (if you connect it to the one and only faucet you are using, whether you wash plates or hands with it, it is filtered).

If you are not keen on the auxiliary faucet, yet do NOT want the filtration system to sit on your counter, perhaps you can consider this method.

Don’t worry about the hole
An idea, should you one day not want to use under-sink filtration system, is to use the 1.2cm hole for soap dispensers like this (which we love!):

“Mixer tap method”
For this method, we will connect the water filter to the hot water line instead of the cold water line so when you swivel the tap to the hot water side, it dispenses at the filtered water via the “hot water” from the existing faucet you have. This method will work only if you have a mixer tap and does NOT have have water heater for the water at sink.

Water Flow
Of course the water connected to the “hot” water side may not have such big flow like your usual flow at your existing faucet, but it is not too small, it will be something like the water flow you get at school canteen water cooler spouts. After all, most under-counter water filters for residential or offices are designed for ¼ inch water outlet.

Well otherwise, if you have no issues with us drilling a hole for auxiliary tap, under-sink water filters are beautiful. They save your kitchen counter top from clutter and give it the space you want in the usually small kitchens we have in Singapore.

Check out Under-sink water filters we have at HappyPenguin! https://shop.waterfilter.com.sg/water-filters/under-sink.html