Water coolers are a mainstay of the modern UK office, home, and workplace. Convenient, useful, and encouraging of hydration, it’s rare to find a large gathering place that doesn’t have one. But what if you can’t plug your water cooler into the wall, or just want a more energy-efficient option? Is it possible to use a water cooler without electricity?

The good news? Yes, you definitely can. And it’s easier (and cheaper) than you might expect. In this guide, we’ll explore how water coolers can work without electricity, the upsides and downsides of doing so, and which non-electric type might work best for you.

Before we begin: How Do Water Coolers Work?

As a refresher: There are two basic types of water cooler:

  • Electric coolers that cool (and usually heat) your water
  • Non-electric coolers that just dispense room temperature water, with no wires or hassle

Electric water coolers are great if you want cold or hot water on tap. They’re quick and easy to use, and with just a flick of a switch, you can pour yourself a chilled glass of water or some instant coffee or tea.

The trade-off is that they do require electricity to run. They’ll use more energy than a non-electric cooler, and if you lose power, you’re out of luck.

Non-electric coolers are much simpler by comparison. Instead of using electric motors to heat and chill water, they just sit there, waiting for you to use them. They don’t offer any cooling or heating, but they will provide you with clean, drinkable water whenever you need it.

Can a Water Cooler Work Without Electricity?

Yes! As we said, some water coolers are actually designed to operate without power. If you want a simple and affordable unit that doesn’t have to be plugged in, they’re worth considering.

Instead of relying on pumps or digital controls, non-electric water coolers use gravity or manual taps to dispense water from a bottle. You might have seen them on building sites, in schoolrooms, or even at music festivals and big events. They’re cheap, easy to set up, and get the job done with zero hassle.

Types of Water Coolers That Don’t Need Electricity

There are a few varieties if you decide to go off-grid or just want something fuss-free:

Room-Temperature Bottle Dispensers
The most common and popular type of non-electric water cooler. Simply put a big water bottle (usually 12–19 litres) on top, and water flows out through a simple tap. No plug sockets required.

Suitable for: Offices, waiting rooms, workshops

Points to note: No hot or cold water, just ambient temperature

Manual or Pump Dispensers
These screw directly onto the top of a water bottle, using a hand pump or battery-powered tap to dispense the water. The easiest to take on the go.

Suitable for: Personal use, outdoor activities, portable hydration

Points to note: Not so good for busy areas or communal office use

Ceramic or Porcelain Crocks
Compact, attractive water coolers that you set on your kitchen countertop or a wooden stand. Place the bottle inside and pour as required.

Suitable for: Kitchens, eco-minded customers

Points to note: Stylish, but heavy and fragile

Electric Water Cooler Energy Usage

If you’re thinking about using a water cooler that doesn’t need electricity, it might help to know just how much power an electric one uses.

Most electric water coolers have a power rating of around:

  • 70–100 watts to chill water
  • 450–600 watts to heat water

Combined, that adds up to around 200–400 kWh per year, depending on how often you use it. At current energy prices, that could mean an annual electricity bill of around £60–£100, not bad, but something to consider if you’re looking to save money or reduce your environmental impact.

Reasons to Use a Water Cooler That Doesn’t Need Power

A few things to consider when choosing between electric vs non-electric coolers:

Lower running costs
Cut out the electricity bills completely and keep your utility costs down.

Environmentally friendly
Going off-grid is a great way to lower your energy consumption and be more sustainable.

Always available
Even if the power goes out, you’ll still have clean, cold water on tap.

Super portable
Take them to events, outdoor areas, and any other place with no access to power outlets.

Potential Downsides

A few downsides of water coolers that don’t need electricity to run:

  • No cold water in summer unless you pre-chill your bottles
  • No instant hot water for coffee or tea on demand
  • Basic design, fewer hygiene or filtration features than some electric models
  • If you’ve got a large office or lots of staff, a manual tap might not be the most convenient option

Still, for many users and businesses, these are small concessions for the money and convenience on offer.

Best Uses for a Water Cooler That Doesn’t Need Electricity

If you’re not bothered about hot or cold water and just want something that works, a non-electric water cooler could be perfect if you:

  • Run a small office or shared workspace
  • Organise outdoor events or pop-up shops
  • Work on building sites or in garages
  • Are eco-conscious and want to lower your energy use
  • Need a backup water supply for emergencies, like power outages or water supply failures

Simple, reliable, and for everyday use.

Things to Consider When Purchasing

A few things to consider if you’re shopping around for water coolers that don’t need electricity:

Bottle Size and Type
The most common water cooler bottle size is 12–19 litres, but always double-check yours fits the bottles you’ll be using, and matches up to the neck size

Cleaning
You’ll want to be able to easily disassemble and clean it, particularly if it’s being used in a busy or communal environment

Stability
Whether you’re using it on your kitchen counter or a separate stand, it should sit nice and secure without wobbling

Tap Quality
Good-quality, BPA-free taps that don’t leak or drip. Cheaper models can be annoying to use, with flimsy taps that dribble or fall off

Conclusion

Yes, you can use a water cooler without electricity. If you’re looking to save energy costs, stay prepared for a power outage, or simply want something that’s easy to use and doesn’t need to be plugged in, a non-electric water cooler is a great choice.

Cheap, reliable, and functional. Sometimes the simplest solution is the best one.