Water is a basic need for households in Malaysia. It is the foundation of health, sanitation, and well-being. However, there are still worries about water quality in Malaysia, with bacteria and chemicals being a major threat. It shows that workable solutions are sorely needed.
The focus on the water dispenser and the water purifier is the specific difference between them. A water dispenser is an essential tool for accessing hot/cold/room-temperature bottled and pre-filtered water. On the other hand, a water purifier processes dirty tap water and filters it, ensuring you can drink secure and potable water free of toxins. The most important difference is that dispensers prioritize convenience, while purifiers emphasize water quality and health safety.
What is a Water Dispenser?
A water dispenser is a device that provides cold and hot, room-temperature, or ice-cold water. This is great as it now makes clean filtered water available to us whenever needed without boiling or separate refrigeration.
Types of Water Dispensers
- Bottle-fed Water Dispensers: These use large water bottles placed on top or inside the unit. They’re common in offices and homes and can be easily replaced when empty.
- Bottom-load Water Dispensers: These offer a more aesthetic solution where the water bottle is hidden inside a cabinet at the base, making it easier to replace the bottle without lifting it overhead.
- Direct-piping Water Dispensers: These are connected directly to the water supply, filtering and dispensing water continuously without the need for bottles. They’re ideal for high-usage settings and eliminate the hassle of replacing bottles.
The ease and availability of water dispensers are one of the best parts about them. On one hand, they offer boiling water for your tea or cup noodle in an instant and ice-cold water on another which are converse with a little push to provide the perfect water for every use.
What is a Water Purifier?
A water purifier is designed to cleanse and filter tap water, removing contaminants and impurities to ensure it’s safe and healthy for consumption. These cleaners use various filtration technologies to eliminate bacteria, viruses, chemicals, and other harmful substances that may be present in the water supply.
Types of Water Purifiers
- Reverse Osmosis (RO) Purifiers: These contain a semi-permeable membrane to sieve out large particles like heavy metals, dissolved salts, and microbes. They are most effective in regions with heavily contaminated water.
- Ultraviolet (UV) Water Purifiers: UV purifiers purify water by quickly passing the supply through several light bulbs, killing most bacteria and virus particles. They are ideal for purifying biologically contaminated water but do not filter out chemical pollutants.
- Activated Carbon Filters: Remove chlorine, pesticides, and contaminants that affect taste or smell. They are generally utilized in conjunction with different purifying techniques for the best filtration possible.
One of the biggest advantages of water purifiers is their effectiveness in filtering the bad chemicals from your drinking water. It leads to various positive health benefits, including lessening your chances of ending up with any waterborne diseases, better digestion, and erasing toxic chemicals that get inside you. You can get that peace of mind with a water purifier that gives pure and safe drinking water just with your tap.
Key Factors to Consider
Water Quality Concerns in Malaysia
One of Malaysia’s main water quality problems includes chlorine, sediment, and other disease-causing substances in water. These impurities can compromise the flavour and safety of our drinking water. Challenges in urban areas may be different from those in the rural sector, where contamination due to less water treatment infrastructure creates a higher risk for the people living there.
Budget
Consider the initial cost, installation, and ongoing maintenance while comparing water dispensers versus purifier costs. Some water dispensers are powered by bottled water, which may require regular bottle replacements every couple of months, and others may need an electricity source for cooling and heating. Water purifiers, especially advanced systems like RO purifiers, could come with a higher upfront cost. Still, they require regular maintenance, such as filter replacements, which are relatively simple and cheaper than bottled water in the long term. Also, pay attention to the electricity consumption of both devices
Household Needs
The choice between a water dispenser and a purifier often depends on household size and needs. Larger families might benefit from the continuous supply of a water purifier, especially in households with children or elderly members who require a constant supply of clean water. Health-conscious individuals might also prefer a purifier to ensure they are consuming the safest water possible.
Convenience
Water dispensers offer the convenience of immediate hot and cold water, perfect for quick drinks or meal preparation. However, they often rely on bottled water which can be cumbersome to replace. On the other hand, water purifiers provide a steady supply of clean tap water, but some systems may require a bit of waiting time for filtration. The fixed installation of purifiers can be less flexible compared to the portability of bottle-fed dispensers, but they offer a more permanent solution.
Benefits of Water Dispensers
Convenience and Accessibility
Water Dispensers offer immediate access to instant hot, cold, or room-temperature water. This functionality is ideal for those working at offices and households, as it makes the job easier. Whether you need boiling water for your morning cup of tea, cold water to quench that thirst, or room-temperature water every day, a cool-water dispenser delivers on-demand, making hydration not only easy but also effective.
No Installation Required
Bottle-fed water dispensers have the advantage of not needing to be set up on a worktop or under a counter. Just set the water bottle on top of or inside and plug it in; it’s good to go. That means you can take the dispenser around your house or office without being restricted to a specific water supply. This is a great option for people looking to have access to clean water on the go without all the fuss of installation.
Benefits of Water Purifiers
Health and Safety
Water purifiers are champions of health and safety. It removes contaminants like heavy metals, bacteria, and chemicals to get clean and safe water for you or your family. This minimizes the possibility of waterborne diseases, which can be vital for households with young children, elderly members, and individuals with weak immune systems. This is a simple way to ensure that drinking plenty of water daily improves your health and well-being in the long run.
Eco-Friendly and Cost-Effective
Selecting a water purifier is also an eco-friendly way. This is a great way to reduce your reliance on plastic water bottles, resulting in less plastic waste and a lower environmental footprint. In terms of money, although the initial expenditure may be high, future savings are likely to accrue. Water purifiers have proved to be an economic solution by saving a lot of money for households, allowing them to stop buying bottled water repeatedly over time, making it an effective way to ensure safe drinking water.
Drawbacks of Water Dispensers
Ongoing Bottle Purchase Costs
The cost of buying water bottles is an immense disadvantage when it comes to having a water dispenser. Disposable water bottles also cost households more in the long run, and these expenses can accumulate over time. Also, because these bottles are cumbersome and difficult to pack, they require adequate storage so you can keep them together without contaminating everything.
Limited Filtration
However, the level of filtration provided by bottled water dispensers might not be as thorough as that of full-functioning water purifiers. It was a perception that if the bottled water is not of good quality, then it might affect its fitness for the best possible drinking. On the other hand, water purifiers have been built to intercept numerous contaminants straight from your faucet so that everything about it is clean and safe.
Drawbacks of Water Purifiers
Installation and Maintenance
Installing a water purifier can be more complex and often requires a professional. This adds to the initial effort and expense. Additionally, maintaining the purifier involves regular filter replacements and occasional servicing, which can be inconvenient for users. Keeping up with this maintenance is crucial to ensure the purifier functions effectively, but it can be a hassle for some households.
Initial Cost
High-quality water purifiers come with a higher upfront cost compared to water dispensers. The investment in advanced technologies like RO or UV purification systems can be substantial. This initial expense might be a barrier for some families, especially when weighing it against other household priorities. However, the long-term health benefits and savings on bottled water can offset this cost over time.
Which is Better for Malaysian Households?
So, which one is better, a water dispenser vs. a water purifier? Certainly, you can consider several factors, like convenience, health issues, budget, or the size of your family. Water dispensers are great for convenience (for families with other priorities, etc.). It can immediately provide hot, cold, or room-temperature water without installing anything complex. These are great options for a larger household or office where convenience is key.
Households inclined towards health prefer water purifiers. These devices ensure the water is properly filtered and impurities-free, providing peace of mind and long-term health benefits. While there is a higher upfront cost and maintenance over time, you must invest in a dedicated water purifier system for any water enthusiast who wants the cleanest possible pure drinking option.
If you want something that is easy to use with different water temperatures and is simple, then getting a regular dispenser would be better. However, if having the highest quality drinking water and protecting your family’s health is more important than typical bottled or boiled tap water from a borewell, you should go with the best water purifier. Understanding these important factors is essential to choosing a solution that efficiently meets your household’s needs.