High-Speed Hand Dryers

Building occupants don’t want to linger in a restroom any longer than they have to, which is why many people prefer towels over dryers for drying hands. But this attitude might be changing as more manufacturers introduce high-speed hand dryer models that dry hands in 10 to 15 seconds — typically two to three times faster than standard dryers.

High-speed hand dryers blow water off of a restroom user’s hands with a high-velocity air stream. Some models use a nozzle that users place their hands under while others are a horizontal unit patron’s place their hands into. The high-velocity air breaks up the layer of water vapor between the air and the skin and causes the thin water film to evaporate quickly.

Besides drying hands faster, high-speed units have other benefits, including using less energy than traditional dryers and qualifying for LEED credits.