by Fern Shaw | Aug 24, 2026 | water cooler, Water Coolers, water dispenser
It sounds counterintuitive. You’re hot, the sun is beating down and someone hands you a piping hot cup of tea. Surely the last thing you need is more heat?
Well … perhaps not.
There’s some science behind the idea that a hot drink can help cool you down. When you drink something hot, your body can respond by increasing the amount you sweat. And when that sweat evaporates from your skin, it takes heat with it, helping to cool you down.
But there’s a rather important catch. Sweat needs somewhere to go.
For this cooling effect to work, your sweat needs to evaporate. In hot, dry conditions, that can happen efficiently, potentially making a hot drink surprisingly effective at helping your body lose heat.
In hot and humid conditions, however, evaporation becomes much harder. If sweat is simply sitting on your skin or dripping away, drinking something hot isn’t going to provide the same cooling benefit – and the heat from the drink is still being added to your body.
So, what about an ice-cold glass of water?
Research suggests that cold drinks can reduce the rise in core body temperature during activity in hot conditions and can make you feel cooler too. (PubMed)
And what about room-temperature water?
There’s no magic temperature you have to drink your water at. Ambient-temperature drinks can be perfectly effective for hydration and have been shown to be consumed at similar rates to chilled water by people working in hot conditions. (PubMed)
In other words, the best drink may simply be the one you enjoy drinking and will reach for regularly.
So, hot tea on a hot day? It’s not quite as crazy as it sounds. Chilled water? Absolutely fine too. Room-temperature water? Nothing wrong with that either.
And with AquAid’s high-quality hot & cold water dispensers, there’s no need to choose just one. Whether you fancy piping hot water for a cuppa or chilled water to refresh you, the choice is yours.
Now that’s what we call an all-weather water dispenser.
by Fern Shaw | Aug 19, 2026 | instant tap, water boiler, water cooler, Water Coolers
Let’s fact check here for a moment. This is a blog page. The running (aha) theme is about all things water.
There are heaps of information about the supply of water and how we deliver said water to you, dear, valued customer, through the provision of our spankingly smart range of:
Bottled Water Coolers
Mains Fed Water Coolers
Water Boilers
Hotel and Catering Solutions
Water for Schools
Water Fountains
Instant Taps
It also helps to keep ourselves informed about the importance of drinking water, how to avoid becoming dehydrated (which occurs more often and easily than one might think), what to drink and how often to drink it. In general, it’s all about keeping yourself healthily hydrated.
But the one question we may not have yet asked is: What makes you thirsty?
Is it the popcorn?
You may belong to the heavily salted popcorn clan. When you go to the pictures, it’s not officially an occasion unless you have a bucket of very over-salted popcorn. Then your tongue swells up and you feel like you’ve been eating dry desert sand. At which point, you may wonder why on earth you’re so thirsty.
Hmm. Mystery solved.
Is it the fizzy stuff?
Perhaps you’re more of a spend all day in warm weather, keep active, run from place to place, perspire like mad and wait until the last possible moment before having a drink sort of person.
By the time you’re absolutely parched, you reach for a fizzy drink and guzzle it down. Unfortunately, a sugary drink isn’t necessarily the answer to your thirst and you may soon find yourself reaching for another one.
Is it the takeaway?
Or maybe fast food is the culprit. Chips, kebabs, sausage rolls (to name a few) leading to the inevitable:
“Why am I so thirsty?”
It turns out that might not be quite the mystery you thought it was.
So, what’s your thirst tipping point?
Whatever yours is, it’s worth remembering that some of our thirst can be self-imposed.
Us humanoids. We can be rather silly beings, can’t we?
Perhaps the answer is simply to drink water regularly throughout the day rather than waiting until your mouth feels like the Sahara. Your mind, body and soul will thank you for it.
by Fern Shaw | Aug 17, 2026 | water cooler, Water Coolers, water dispenser
Unfortunately, drinking and replenishing our water usually isn’t a priority – from the moment we arrive in the office and even less likely throughout the working day, often until well after leaving work.
There are a few reasons for this:
Our focus is on work. Organising. Deadlines. Problem solving. Schedules. Meetings.
Our jobs require 100% attention. Whether the job spec requires precision work, attention to detail or constant interaction with customers, colleagues or other divisions.
There isn’t enough time in the day. Despite even the best organisational skills, this is a common complaint for those in the workplace.
In a study conducted by the Natural Source Waters Association of 300 UK General Practitioners, it was found that “one in five GP consultations were down to tiredness and fatigue and one in ten of those were thought to be linked to dehydration.”
It’s no surprise then that possibly the last thought that occurs is providing our body and mind with the very fuel which helps us function effectively while at work and throughout the working day.
However, there is a rather simple solution available:
Install AquAid water dispensers at work.
A water glass on the desk or bottled water to hand makes it easier to keep drinking throughout the day, particularly for those who are always on the move.
Getting into a routine of taking short breaks throughout the day can also help: take a breather, stretch your legs and circuit past your water cooler station to replenish your water.
by Fern Shaw | Jul 29, 2026 | Water, water cooler, Water Coolers
Whether bouncy Tigger, resolute Shere Khan or Calvin’s faithful playmate, Hobbes, was your first introduction to the tiger, these magnificent mammals have captured our imagination for generations. In honour of International Tiger Day, we’re celebrating the real animal behind those unforgettable characters.
We may think they’re wildly exotic creatures, yet we Homo sapiens share more in common with them than you might expect.
Like us, tigers love water. They enjoy a refreshing drink, cool off with a swim when temperatures soar and even play in the water. Unlike many other big cats, they’re remarkably strong swimmers, often crossing rivers and relaxing in lakes to escape the heat.
Of course, our similarities go beyond enjoying a paddle on a warm day. We all depend on clean, reliable sources of fresh water. For tigers, healthy rivers, wetlands and waterholes are every bit as essential as they are for the countless other species that share their habitats.
Sadly, the future of the tiger is far less secure than the stories that made so many of us fall in love with them. Wild tiger numbers have declined by more than 95% since the beginning of the 20th century, and today, it’s estimated that only around 3,900 remain in isolated forests, grasslands and mangrove swamps across Asia. Habitat loss continues to threaten not only the tigers themselves but also the freshwater ecosystems they rely upon.
Fortunately, dedicated conservation projects are protecting habitats, restoring wildlife corridors and helping these magnificent animals reclaim their place in the wild.
So, the next time you enjoy a cool glass of water or head off for a swim, spare a thought for yet another creature who relies on water as much as we do. We may not share their stripes but we certainly share an appreciation for life’s most essential resource. The least we can do is help ensure future generations can continue to be inspired by the real thing.
Sources:
There’s A Day For That – International Tiger Day
World Wildlife Fund (WWF) – Tigers
by Fern Shaw | Jul 17, 2026 | water cooler, Water Coolers
There are some celebrations that need little explanation and the recent World Ice Cream Day is one of them.
Ice cream has a surprisingly long history. Thousands of years ago, people in ancient Persia were enjoying snow mixed with fruit syrup to cool down, while centuries later frozen dairy desserts began taking shape in China before early versions of modern ice cream appeared in Italy. Fast forward a few hundred years and it’s become one of the UK’s favourite ways to make the most of the sunshine.
It’s fair to say we Britons love our ice cream.
Whether you’re all about a classic vanilla cone, can’t resist rich chocolate, fancy the nutty flavour of pistachio or reach straight for a fruity lolly, there’s something for everyone. In fact, it’s estimated that around twelve ice creams are sold every second during a typical British summer. That’s a lot of brain freeze!
When it comes to favourites, familiar names such as the Magnum, Cornetto, 99, Feast and Solero have all earned their place in our stomachs (and freezers). Everyone has their go-to and family trips to the seaside have probably sparked more than a few friendly debates over which one deserves top spot.
Of course, as enjoyable as ice cream is on a warm day, don’t forget about the drink that’s with you all day long – water. A refreshing glass of chilled water helps keep you hydrated, especially during warmer weather when it’s easy to lose more fluid than you realise.
Now, much as we’d love to help, we can’t recommend using an AquAid water cooler to dispense ice cream. Tempting though the idea of unlimited Mr Whippy on tap may be, we suspect our engineers would have a thing or two to say about it. What we can recommend is using an AquAid water cooler which dispenses refreshing chilled drinking water in seconds. Whether the weather is pleasantly warm or absolutely hot, hot, hot, there’s nothing quite like a cool drink to help you stay refreshed.
So, however you’re marking World Ice Cream Day, enjoy your favourite flavour, keep a bottle of water close by and make the most of the summer while it lasts.
Sources: Days of the Year Unilever
by Fern Shaw | Jul 13, 2026 | water cooler, Water Coolers
Eating well and staying hydrated tend to go hand in hand. This series looks at everyday foods with high water content or strong nutritional value – simple choices that support a healthier routine with minimal prep or fuss. While fresh fruit can contribute to overall fluid intake, it works best alongside consistent access to drinking water, whether that’s from a water cooler wherever your location or regular trips to your Instant Tap. Healthy food and good hydration are straightforward habits – and often the easiest ones to maintain.
Strawberries have a habit of appearing just when many of us start spending more time outdoors. They’re the summer fruit associated with the British tennis event but they’re just as enjoyable at breakfast, packed into a lunchbox or as a light afternoon snack.
Made up of around 90% water, strawberries are naturally refreshing while also providing vitamin C, fibre and antioxidants. They’re relatively modest in sugar compared with many processed snacks, making them a satisfying choice when you’re looking for something sweet without reaching for biscuits or confectionery.
More Than Just a Bowl of Strawberries
Of course, there’s nothing wrong with enjoying strawberries exactly as they are but they’re surprisingly versatile too. Try adding them to yoghurt, porridge, or a green salad, blending them into a homemade strawberry juice, or freezing them into refreshing iced lollies. However you enjoy them, they’re a straightforward way to add a little more fruit to your day.
Some people also like to slice a few strawberries into a jug or bottle of drinking water. It adds a subtle hint of flavour without relying on sugary drinks and can make it a little easier to reach for another glass.
A Refreshing Partnership
Although strawberries contain plenty of water, fruit can only contribute so much to your daily hydration. The real foundation is still regular drinking water throughout the day.
Think of strawberries as the perfect companion rather than the main event. A handful of fresh berries alongside a glass of water is a simple, refreshing combination that’s easy to enjoy throughout the day.
