Water CoolersHot and Cold
Crystal Mountain STFM2KHK1C Water Cooler Manual
Setup, everyday use, maintenance and troubleshooting for the hot-and-cold bottom-load water cooler, with verified specifications.
- DispensingHot and Cold
- Water sourceBottom-loading bottle
- Energy use0.77 kWh/day
- Est. yearly cost$47.78
About the Crystal Mountain STFM2KHK1C
Model STFM2KHK1C from Crystal Mountain is a hot-and-cold bottom-load water cooler that meets ENERGY STAR efficiency requirements. It draws water from a bottom-loading bottle.
It dispenses hot and cold water. Certification testing recorded cold water at about 42 °F (6 °C) and hot water at about 182 °F (83 °C). Water is chilled and heated in internal storage reservoirs, so a supply is ready on demand.
Rated on-mode energy use is 0.77 kWh per day — about 281 kWh a year.
Specifications
| Brand | Crystal Mountain |
|---|---|
| Model number | STFM2KHK1C |
| Dispensing | Hot and Cold |
| ENERGY STAR product type | Hot and Cold |
| Water source | Bottle - Bottom Load |
| Water conditioning | Conditioned Storage |
| Capacity class | High Capacity |
| Cold water temperature | 42 °F |
| Hot water temperature | 182 °F |
| On-mode energy use | 0.77 kWh/day |
| Refrigerant | R-134a (GWP 1430) |
Safety information
- Hot water can cause severe scalds. This model dispenses hot water at about 182 °F (83 °C), hot enough to burn skin almost instantly. Keep any child-safety lock on the hot tap engaged and do not let children use the hot tap.
- Plug the cooler into a grounded three-prong outlet. Do not use an extension cord or adapter, and keep the cord and plug away from spilled water.
- Unplug the cooler before cleaning, sanitizing, moving it or changing filters.
- Use the cooler indoors only, upright on a level floor, away from direct sunlight and heat sources.
- Do not switch on the heater until the hot tank is full of water — heating an empty tank can damage the heating element.
Installation and first-time setup
- Choose the location
Place the cooler on a level, solid floor near a grounded outlet, out of direct sunlight (which encourages algae growth) and away from heaters. Leave a few inches of space behind and beside the cabinet so the condenser can release heat.
- Let it stand
If the cooler was transported on its side, stand it upright and wait before plugging it in so the compressor oil can settle — check the manual for the exact time, which can be up to 24 hours.
- Clean before first use
Wipe the reservoir area and taps, then flush the system as the manual directs by dispensing and discarding water from each tap.
- Load the bottle
Open the lower cabinet, remove the bottle cap, insert the probe assembly fully into the bottle and slide the bottle into place. The pump fills the internal reservoir automatically.
- Fill the hot tank
Before turning on the heater, press the hot tap until water flows steadily. This confirms the hot tank is full.
- Power on
Plug in the cooler and switch on the cooling and heating switches if your model has them. Allow time for the first cool-down and heat-up before drawing water.
Using your water cooler
Dispensing water
- Cold tap: chilled water, about 42 °F in certification testing. After heavy use, give the reservoir a little time to recover.
- Hot tap: about 182 °F — suitable for tea, instant soup and oatmeal. Dispense slowly into a heat-resistant cup; if the tap has a child-safety lock, re-engage it afterward.
- Place cups on the drip tray and avoid touching tap nozzles with the cup rim or your hands.
Changing and storing bottles
Replace the bottle when the cooler signals that it is empty or water stops flowing. Store spare bottles indoors, out of sunlight and away from cleaning products, gasoline or paint — plastic bottles can absorb odors. Wipe the bottle neck and the probe before each change.
Saving energy
- Keeping the hot tank hot is the largest load on a hot-and-cold cooler. If your model has a separate heater switch, turn it off overnight, on weekends or whenever hot water is not needed.
- Keep the condenser coils at the back free of dust and leave space around the cabinet for airflow.
- Avoid placing the cooler in direct sun or next to heat-producing equipment.
Care and maintenance
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| Weekly | Empty and wash the drip tray; wipe the taps and cabinet with a damp cloth. |
| Each bottle change | Wipe the probe and tubing with a clean, damp cloth before inserting it into the new bottle. |
| Every 3 months (or each bottle change, if the manual says so) | Unplug the cooler and clean and sanitize the reservoirs and water path with a food-safe sanitizer as the manual directs, then rinse thoroughly by dispensing several quarts from each tap. |
| Every 6 months | Unplug and vacuum or brush dust from the condenser coils at the back. |
| Before a long absence | Unplug the cooler, let the hot tank cool, drain the reservoirs as the manual describes and leave the unit dry. |
Troubleshooting
Most water cooler problems come down to power, the water supply or cleaning. Try the checks below first, and consult your manufacturer's manual for model-specific indicators.
| Problem | Possible cause | What to try |
|---|---|---|
| Water is not cold | Cooling switch off or unplugged; recently installed; heavy use; blocked airflow or hot room. | Check the plug and switch, allow time to recover after heavy use, and clear space around the coils. |
| Water is not hot | Heater switch off; hot tank not filled before switching on; child lock not fully released. | Turn on the heater switch, dispense from the hot tap until water flows, and press the lock as the manual shows. If your model has a thermal reset, see the manual. |
| No water or slow flow | Empty bottle; probe not fully inserted; pump not running. | Replace the bottle and reseat the probe; listen for the pump after a bottle change. |
| Leaking | Probe not sealed; drip tray full; loose internal fitting. | Unplug, empty the drip tray, and reseat or replace the bottle. Call for service if water collects under the cabinet. |
| Odd taste or odor | Cooler due for sanitizing; bottle stored near chemicals or in sunlight. | Sanitize the cooler and store bottles properly. |
| Humming, clicking or gurgling | Normal compressor and fan sounds. | No action needed. Loud rattling usually means the cooler is not level or is touching the wall. |
| Pump runs continuously | Bottle empty; probe not sealed; air leak in the line. | Replace the bottle and reseat the probe. If the pump keeps running, unplug the cooler and consult the manual. |
Energy use and running costs
The Crystal Mountain STFM2KHK1C is rated at 0.77 kWh per day in on mode under the ENERGY STAR test method. Over a full year of continuous operation that is about 281 kWh, or roughly $47.78 per year at $0.17 per kWh ($3.98 a month).
Most of a hot-and-cold cooler's energy goes into keeping the hot reservoir at temperature. Switching the heater off when hot water is not needed — overnight and on weekends in an office — is the single biggest saving.
Frequently asked questions
How much electricity does the Crystal Mountain STFM2KHK1C use?
It is rated at 0.77 kWh per day, about 281 kWh a year — roughly $47.78 a year at $0.17/kWh.
How cold and how hot is the water from the Crystal Mountain STFM2KHK1C?
Certification testing recorded cold water at about 42 °F (6 °C) and hot water at about 182 °F (83 °C).
Does the Crystal Mountain STFM2KHK1C dispense hot water?
Yes. It dispenses hot water as well as cold water. Keep any child-safety lock on the hot tap engaged.
Is the Crystal Mountain STFM2KHK1C top-loading, bottom-loading or plumbed?
It is bottom-loading: the bottle sits in the lower cabinet and a pump feeds the reservoir, so there is no heavy lifting overhead.
What refrigerant does the Crystal Mountain STFM2KHK1C use?
The certification record lists R-134a (GWP 1430).
Is the Crystal Mountain STFM2KHK1C ENERGY STAR certified?
Yes. It appears on the ENERGY STAR certified water coolers list, with a certification date of February 2022.
Sources and disclaimer
Specifications on this page come from the ENERGY STAR certified water coolers dataset published by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (record certified February 17, 2022), retrieved October 7, 2026.
The setup, operating, maintenance and troubleshooting guidance is written by ManualHarbor's editors for this specific product type and configuration. It is an independent guide — not a reproduction of the manufacturer's manual — and ManualHarbor is not affiliated with Crystal Mountain. Always follow the safety instructions, installation requirements and warranty terms supplied with your unit, and contact Crystal Mountain or an authorized service provider for warranty repairs and replacement parts.
Running-cost figures use assumed U.S. average utility prices and are estimates for comparison only. See our editorial methodology for details.
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