Calculating Energy Consumption With Hand Dryers

In this third of an eight-part Manufacturer Roundtable, Facility Cleaning Decisions took the compilation of questions we received from readers and asked hand dryer manufacturers to weigh in. Here are their responses:

How do you respond to facility managers who don’t use dryers because of their energy consumption?

The energy consumption of hand dryers can vary considerably. Many hand dryers are slow, and many use a heating element, so they're energy-hungry. While energy consumption is clearly an important issue, facility managers should also consider the costs of using paper towels, including the more hidden costs such as replenishing dispensers, emptying trash cans and arranging for the disposal of paper towels.
Fisher — Today’s high-speed hand dryers have become much more energy efficient.  Some high-speed models can cost as little as 18 cents to dry 1,000 pairs of hands.
– Rob Green, Senior Reliability Engineer, Dyson in Chicago, Illinois

I would respond by helping them calculate their current annual expenditure of the use of paper towels, manpower used, and miscellaneous costs such as clogged toilets from flushing paper towels. Then overlay that to the annual cost of running a hand dryer. Most people find that they will actually make the money back in savings in under 24 months.
– Andrew M. Hansen, New Business Development Manager, Palmer Fixture in Green Bay, Wisconsin

Today’s high-speed hand dryers have become much more energy efficient.  Some high-speed models can cost as little as 18 cents to dry 1,000 pairs of hands.
– Jim Fisher, Vice President of Sales & Marketing, American Dryer, Inc. in Livonia, Michigan

Currently, in terms of energy consumption, hand dryers generally cost only about 7 cents per 200 uses with heat and only 4 cents per 200 uses without heat. The production of paper towels is twice as energy-intensive as the use of hand dryers. Additionally, today’s energy-efficient hand dryers use as much as 88 percent less energy than older models. Studies have shown that high-speed hand dryers can result in a 99 percent cost savings over purchasing paper towels.
There are other efficiencies with hand dryers to consider, as well. Labor and maintenance costs are reduced; less storage space is needed for paper towels, and a facility’s clean restroom image will help both customers and employees feel comfortable when using the facility.
Some hand dryers offer on/off heating controls, which allow facility managers to have more control over energy usage.
– Dan Storto, President, World Dryer Corporation in Berkeley, Illinois