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hOmeLabs Bottom Loading Water Dispenser Review 2024

A quality water dispenser can save you hundreds of dollars each year in bottled water, and provide you with healthy filtered drinking water on demand. If you’ve been searching for the best water cooler dispenser, you may already have come across the hOmeLabs Bottom Loading Water Dispenser, a very popular item on Amazon.

Considered by many to be a premium-grade water dispenser, the hOmeLabs Water Bottom Loading Water Dispenser is on the pricier end of the spectrum, but is it really worth it? Continue reading our detailed review, and learn all you need to know about this highly-rated water cooler!

hOmeLabs Bottom Loading Water Dispenser: Overview

Amazon Rating:

4.7 Stars

Type:

Bottom Loading, Vertical Freestanding

Suitable For:

Home, office, gym

Gallon Capacity:

3 – 5 gallon

Warranty: 

2 yr [View Details]

Price:

View Price Now

Specs:

  • Dimensions: 40.9 x 14.2 x 12.2 inches
  • Type: Bottom Loading
  • Water Temperature Settings: Hot (185°F), Cold (49°F), Room (Ambient)
  • Color: Silver, Black
  • Material: Stainless Steel, Plastic
  • Bottle Capacity: 3 – 5 gallon
  • Warranty: 2yr
  • User Manual Included [PDF]
  • Nightlight
  • Empty Bottle Indicator
hOmeLabs Bottom Loading Water Dispenser for 3 or 5 Gallon Bottle - with Hot Cold and Room Temperature Settings Stainless Steel Design and LED Night Light - Home Office Dispenser with Child Safety Lock

Backed by a 2 year warranty, the hOmeLabs Bottom Loading Water Dispenser has a 4.7 star rating on Amazon from over 200 users. Designed for ease of use, this attractive water cooler makes a welcome addition to any home, office, gym, or commercial space. The 3 temperature settings also make it extremely versatile and useful throughout the year.

We had to include the hOmeLabs Water Dispenser in our recent reviews of the best water dispensers, but it deserves an in depth review of its own.

Here’s a look at all the key features, pros and cons.

hOmeLabs Bottom Loading Water Dispenser Review

Assembly And Set Up

First, the hOmeLab Water Dispenser is already assembled when it comes out of the box. A user manual is included, with step by step instructions for operating the machine, as well as troubleshooting tips. You’ll also find details regarding the 2 year limited warranty that’s included with your water cooler, so it’s worth a read.

Setting up the hOmeLabs water dispenser is pretty straightforward. You’ll need approximately 8 inches of clearance in the back of the machines to allow sufficient airflow to the coils.

Oddly enough, the power cord is located, not near the bottom on the back of the device (as you might expect), but closer to the top. Positioning the cord here allows for very little reach, meaning you need to install the hOmeLabs water dispenser as close to an outlet as possible.

At 40 inches in height, or just over 3 ft, its narrow cabinet design makes it a great fit decor-wise for most interiors. The manufacturer advises against setting it up for outdoor use, which would nullify your warranty and potentially damage your water dispenser.

Don’t switch on your water cooler immediately after you’ve plugged it in. You’ll need to load the water dispenser with a fresh bottle of filtered or purified water first.

Still buying commercial water bottles? You could be saving money and the environment with a water dispenser. You might want to consider these 5 Reasons You Should Stop Using Plastic Water Bottles.

How To Load The hOmeLabs Bottom Loading Water Dispenser

Whether you’re familiar with loading a water dispenser or not, loading the hOmeLabs dispenser is hassle-free and takes less than 2 minutes.

The water reservoir has a 3- 5 gallon capacity, and is accessed by opening the stainless steel door on the front.

To install your water bottle, follow these directions from the user manual:

  1. Open the Dispenser door to install the water bottle.
  2. Place fresh bottle outside of the cabinet.
  3. Remove entire plastic cap from the top of the bottle.
  4. Clean the outside of the new bottle with a cloth.
  5. Place the probe into the bottle.
  6. Slide the collar down until it clicks in place.
  7. Push the head down until tubes hit the bottom of the bottle.
  8. Slide the bottle into the cabinet and close the dispenser door.

Now you’re ready to plug the power cord into a properly grounded wall outlet. The pump will begin to move water to the hot and cold tanks. It takes up to 12 minutes to fill the tanks for the first time. During this period, the pump will run continuously.

diagram of homelabs water cooler dispenser temperatures

Temperature Settings

The hOmeLabs Bottom Loading Water Dispenser offers 3 convenient temperatures for water. Hot water dispenses at 185 degrees Fahrenheit, cold water dispenses at 49 degrees and room temperature is the ambient temperature.

Water is pumped from the water bottle to the cold tank and hot tank inside the dispenser by means of tubes. Once you plug in the water dispenser, the machine will need time to fill each of the tanks before it’s ready to use.

An intuitive control panel, located on the top panel, is very user-friendly. Each of the 3 push-buttons is clearly marked. You push down on the button to dispense water.

Energy Efficiency

For more efficient energy use, there are 2 switches on the back that control the compressor and the heating element for cold and hot water. These can be switched on individually as needed to reduce energy consumption. If you’re using the water cooler exclusively in your gym and don’t intend to make hot drinks, you can switch off the heating element. This way, the water cooler will only dispense cold or room temperature water.

Cleaning And Maintenance

No special cleaning solution is required to keep your hOmeLabs water cooler operating in peak condition. A Bottle Refill Indicator lights up to let you know when the water bottle needs replacing. The hot and cold tanks can be drained of excess water and should be rinsed with a cleaning solution as often as needed to remove any build up.

Accessing the cold and hot tank is fairly easy. There are four screws located on the back of the machine that connect the lid to the dispenser. Simply remove the screws and the lid can be lifted off, but there are wires attached that should remain in place. Always refer to the hOmeLabs user manual for proper directions.

Since the hOmeLabs Bottom Loading Water Dispenser uses filtered water, and the water tanks are made of stainless steel, frequent cleaning shouldn’t be necessary.

Drawbacks But Not Dealbreakers

One of the things you’ll notice about bottom loading water coolers is the flow rate tends to be low. Water is pumped up through a hose, then heated or cooled before being dispensed. The air pressure in the pump, however, can vary. The hOmeLabs water cooler manages to maintain a fairly consistent flow rate, but the hot water tends to have a lower flow rate than cold, meaning it may take a little longer than you might like to fill a cup of hot water.

While the push buttons on the top of the dispenser are very easy to use, they can become obstructed or difficult to push down on with use over time. Regular maintenance, however, should prevent the problem. There are also several troubleshooting tips covered in the manual to help you.

The hOmeLabs Bottom Loading Water Dispenser is also covered by a 2 year limited warranty, which is longer than the warranty for most other brands of water coolers.

Pros

  1. Bottom loading reservoir eliminates need for heavy lifting
  2. 3 Temperature Settings: useful for hot, cold, or room temperature,
  3. Child Safety Lock prevents mishaps when dispensing hot water
  4. Dedicated hot/cold switches conserve energy when not in use

Cons

  • Compressor and heating element can be a bit noisy
  • Needs to be close to an electrical outlet because the power cord is awkwardly placed
  • Requires min 1 hr for chilled water, 12 mn for hot water
  • Push button controls may become obstructed or difficult to use
  • Uneven water pressure from the water spouts can be an inconvenience
  • No self-cleaning feature like some other brands with comparable features
picture of homelabs water cooler dispenser in home

Why Should You Choose hOmeLabs?

There are a number of top brands you can choose from when searching for the best water cooler dispenser. With so many water cooler dispensers and brands to choose from, it can be hard to separate the chaff from the wheat. Is hOmeLabs a company you can trust?

The hOmeLabs motto, “Thoughtfully designed products. Exceptional Service”, really says a lot about the brand and its positioning. If you’re mindful about the environment, value healthy living, appreciate quality but don’t want to break the bank for a water cooler, hOmeLabs is a brand you can get behind.

Kitchen appliances, air purifiers, dehumidifiers, ice makers, refrigerators and air conditioners are a few of the household appliances hOmeLabs manufactures. Their sleek, stylish designs include innovative features for added convenience, safety and efficiency.

hOmeLabs appliances are designed to not only look good but save you money as well. Energy Star rated for efficiency, their broad range of water appliances offer homeowners and businesses an affordable way to reduce energy consumption while enjoying healthy air and water quality.

Backed by an amazing customer tech support team, hOmeLabs exceeds many of the top water cooler dispenser brands with their responsiveness, particularly when it comes to troubleshooting any problems with your purchase.

Troubleshooting Tips For Your hOmeLabs Bottom Loading Water Dispenser

Your hOmeLabs Water Dispenser includes a user manual with troubleshooting tips for a number of problems. You can also contact hOmeLabs Customer Support by phone or email.

hOmeLabs Customer Support
help@homelabs.com
1-800-898-3002

Leaking Water Spout

If one of the water spouts is leaking, it could be clogged with dirt or debris. Press on the button to let water out. Use a toothpick or paperclip and insert gently up the spout to loosen any dirt or debris.

Buttons Sticking, Water Not Dispensing

Should you experience difficulty using the push button controls for dispensing water, there may be something obstructing the button from inside the unit.

  • Unplug the cooler and locate screws on backside to remove water cooler cover.
  • Remove the cover carefully while wires are still attached.
  • Next, inspect the hoses connecting to the tank and check for obstructions in the buttons.
  • Remove any obstruction, then reverse the process to re attach the water cooler lid.

Water Leaking Inside The Cabinet

Follow these simple directions to fix a leak from inside the hOmeLabs Bottom Loading Water Dispenser:

  1. Unplug the cooler and locate the screws on the back of the unit.
  2. Remove the screws with a screwdriver to remove the lid.
  3. Make sure the hoses are intact that connect to the cold tank.
  4. Lift off the cold tank cover to see if the seal or anything else is out of place.
  5. Reverse the process to seal the tank and reattach the water cooler lid.

Replacing A Cold Tank Cover

If the wiring on the float valve of the cold tank cover is damaged you can order a replacement. Here’s how to replace the cold tank cover, once you’ve received your replacement float valve:

  1. Locate and remove the four screws on the back plastic plate concealing the cold tank.
  2. Next, locate the two screws connecting to a metal box on the right side of the cooler and unscrew them.
  3. Find the end of the damaged wire, unclip it from the electrical panel inside the box and gently pull it out to remove it.
  4. Disconnect the two tubes connecting to the cold tank cover and discard them.
  5. Attach the tubes to the replacement cover for your cold tank.
  6. Reverse procedure to connect your new cover.

Draining The Hot And Cold Water Tank

Follow these directions for draining out the water tank:

  1. Place a bucket directly under the drain hole, located on the back of the hOmeLabs machine
  2. Unscrew the small white drain cap by turning counterclockwise.
  3. Remove the blue plug to allow the water to drain into the bucket.

Noisy Dispenser

Make sure the dispenser is positioned on a leveled surface. The water cooler should never be tipped over or propped on a 45 degree angle.

Nightlight Not Functioning

Check to see that the power cord is properly connected to a working outlet.
Make sure the nightlight power switch on the back of the dispenser is ON.

How To Clean Your hOmeLabs Bottom Loading Water Dispenser

The manufacturer recommends that you clean your water dispenser every 6 months. Avoid using hard water in your water cooler, which will leave behind scale deposits and minerals that can clog the pump and contaminate your water.

Your hOmeLabs water dispenser is already sanitized but you can use a sanitizer once every 3 months to disinfect it.

If you use filtered water exclusively, your water cooler should work for years to come. Should cleaning the water tanks and hose become necessary, follow these directions, using a home made cleaning solution or dishwashing soap:

  1. Unplug the power cord from the electrical outlet.
  2. Drain the tanks of any water that may be left. See above for draining instructions or refer to your user manual.
  3. Remove the water bottle.
  4. Mix 4 liters of water with 200g citric acid crystals, inject the mixture into the machine and make sure the water can flow out of the hot water tap.
  5. Connect the cleaning bottle to the bottle adapter.
  6. Switch on the power and heat it for about 10 minutes.
  7. 30 minutes later, drain off the liquid and clean it with water two or three times.
  8. Drain the reservoir.
  9. Rinse the reservoir.
  10. Replace parts and plug in.

Generally, this should be done every six months. 

Final Thoughts…

Although hOmeLabs isn’t a leading manufacturer of water coolers, they can be trusted for quality and value. Their bottom loading water dispenser has quickly become a popular choice with Amazon users and compares admirably with any of the leading brands such as Avalon, Primo, and Brio.

The hOmeLabs Bottom Loading Water Dispenser has all the standard features you’d want in a quality water cooler, backed by great customer service and a 2 year warranty. The easy set up and maintenance means you can enjoy the convenience of filtered water for hot or cold beverages whenever you want, with the least amount of hassle.

We hope you found this hOmeLabs water dispenser review useful. Remember, at iWaterpurification, we’re constantly on the lookout for the best water purification treatment solutions and appliances. Visit us again soon, and good luck in your search for the best water cooler dispenser!

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