Devices and methods for controlling the heating and cooling of water in beverage dispensers

A bottled water dispenser, which comprises:

• (a) a cabinet having an exterior portion and an interior portion, wherein the interior portion of the cabinet is configured to house a water bottle in a bottom half of the interior portion of the cabinet in an upright position;
• (b) a cold tank that is configured to receive water from the water bottle;
• (c) at least one hot tank that is configured to receive water from the cold tank, which is connected to a heating element that is configured to heat the water that is contained within the hot tank;
• and
• (d) a central processing unit, which is programmable by a user through a control panel, wherein the central processing unit is configured to communicate with the heating element and cause power to be delivered to the heating element according to a defined protocol, wherein said protocol specifies:
• (i) a frequency and magnitude of pulsed energy to be delivered to the heating element from a power source;
• and (ii) a set temperature, or a set range of temperatures, for water contained within the hot tank and cold tank.