The Consumer Council has called for enhancements in the design and manufacture of bottled-water dispensers.

It recently tested 12 models ranging in price from $298 to $4,900. Most complied with major safety requirements, however, it said improvement is needed in the construction, insulation and stability of some models.

Three samples had slender power cords which could be easily damaged.

The insulation spacing for the transformer, circuit board or heater terminals of some models was below standard. The heat and fire resistance in the plastic in some models was also unsatisfactory.

Drain holes in one design were smaller than required, and two models failed the 10-degree inclination test when fitted with 19-litre water carboy. A fixing device and installation instructions were not supplied.

Meanwhile, further tests found electronic hot-cold dispensers in general consumed less energy compared to models with compressors. For hot-cold models with compressors, energy consumption ranged from 0.92kWh to 2.4kWh a day even when not used often.