Everything You Need to Know About a Combination Water and Ice Machine

dispensing combination ice and water machine

When it comes to your workplace drinking water, the cleaner and better-tasting it is, the more hydrated your workforce and customers are likely to be. This has a significant impact on your team’s morale and productivity, and as a result, your operational efficiency. If a clean and delicious water supply is exactly what your business needs to drive hydration and productivity, it might be time to upgrade your drinking water options with a combination water and ice machine. 

Read on to learn the ins and outs of water and ice machines, and why it could be a great move for your workplace moving forward. 

Considering a Combination Water and Ice Machine

With just one machine, you can combine your water dispenser and ice maker into a powerful hydrating solution for your business. But, what exactly is a combination water and ice machine? A combination machine is likely what you might think it is. They are designed to dispense both ice and water from one machine whenever your employees, customers, or guests need it. 

Why should you consider this option? 

According to a report from the Chicago Sun-Times, an estimated 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated — which means keeping hydration levels high can make a huge difference in your workforce. Keeping hydration levels high is a lot easier to do when you have a combination water and ice machine in your office – especially since research shows people are more inclined to drink ice water over plain room temperature water. The organizational benefits of a water filtration system in conjunction with an ice dispenser include:

  • Increased productivity.
  • Boosted morale.
  • Higher levels of energy and mental focus.
  • Decreased absenteeism.
  • Reduced environmental impact.

Costs, Maintenance, and Cleaning To Expect

If you’ve been considering a combination water and ice machine for your business, it’s important to note the costs, maintenance, and cleaning involved in the process. Here’s what you can expect along the way:

Costs to consider

Costs are inevitably going to vary depending on different factors. However, there are a few aspects to consider that can impact your expenses. First, you’ll need to determine whether you plan to rent or buy your machine — keeping in mind both options include an installation fee. 

When it comes to owning a combination water dispenser and ice maker, they typically involve a one-time purchase. While this may seem like a good option to keep expenses low, the brunt of hard work falls onto your business to keep up with cleaning and maintenance. Luckily, there are a number of benefits to water and ice machine rental that are certainly worth considering. 

With rentals, you can expect monthly expenses associated with having the machine on-site, however, these tend to be more cost-efficient long-term. This is because renting includes service twice a year, so you don’t have to worry about personally ensuring your machine is in great shape. Review this cost comparison article to get a better sense of what expenses are involved with renting a water and ice machine. 

The maintenance and cleaning involved with these options

Both an ice maker and water dispenser require maintenance and cleaning to guarantee your machine is working properly. However, if you plan to own a machine the responsibility of these initiatives belongs to your business. If there are any problems with your dispenser, you’ll need to be prepared to solve these issues internally. With rentals from dependable vendors like Quench®, your dispenser will be serviced twice a year to keep it in the best shape possible — for the overall benefit of your team members. 

In terms of cleaning, it’s critical to keep sanitation a priority at your workplace. In fact, a report from CNBC found that 66% of employees find cleaning practices in the workplace extremely important today. This means the best practice for both owning and renting a combination dispenser involves regular cleaning — both for sanitary dispensing and making sure your workforce feels comfortable. 

The Benefits of a Water Ice Machine for Your Business

While there are a number of benefits your business can expect to see as a result of a commercial ice machine and water filter, there are a few that stand out. These advantages include:

  • A one-stop-shop solution: The main advantage of a combination machine is that one unit does the work of 2. Your employees, guests, and customers have access to both an ice dispenser and water filter in one place. 
  • Space-efficient: Because these machines do the work of 2, you can quickly save valuable space at your place of work. This eliminates the need to take up excess space trying to find a place for 2 separate machines. 
  • Cost-efficient: Utilizing this all-in-one solution saves you money in the long run. This is especially true when comparing these machines to costly plastic water bottle or gallon jug options. You can expect to spend less on procurement and maintenance long-term.
  • Access to delicious and clean cold water: Your employees and customers will appreciate the access to a beverage that’s both clean and great-tasting. They will also love the chewable ice that adds a little something extra to their workplace drinking water. 

Elevate Your Working Environment With a Machine From Quench

If you’ve been considering a combination machine to elevate your workplace water supply, Quench can help. Our all-in-one ice makers and water filtration systems connect directly to your water supply, so your business can meet the high hydration demands of a busy workplace year-round. Give your valuable team members and customers access to an endless supply of the cleanest water and the most refreshing ice around.

Our local water experts know your water quality and therefore, they’re well-adept at helping you find the machine that’s the right fit for your business — including the filter, ice production, and storage capacity your workplace needs. If you’re ready to bring your water supply to the next level, try our product finder to identify the machine that’s just right. Or, get a free quote today to get started.