Paper towels don’t only increase your carbon footprint but also give rise to other environmental problems like deforestation and global warming. Furthermore, they increase your overall cost in the long run.
Therefore, many individuals and businesses prefer to invest in hand dryers that are sanitary, eco-friendly, effective, and economical in the long haul. Several brands on the market have unique features that serve various functionality purposes.
However, well-known superior brands, such as Dyson, combine both practicality and style in the best way possible. If you want to explore different high-quality options for business or home purposes, you can click the Dyson hand dryer link here.
Before we list different factors you need to consider when buying hand dryers, let’s take a look at the different types of hand dryers to help you make an informed decision!
Common Types of Hand Dryers
1. Traditional Hand Dryers
Traditional hand dryers require the users to push the button to allow the air to blow. Although this isn’t a sanitary option and takes up to 45 seconds to dry the hands, it is affordable.
2. High-Speed Hand Dryers
As the name indicates, high-speed hand dryers are efficient and dry hands within 10 to 15 seconds. Therefore, they help you save energy and energy costs as well, but they can be noisy, loud, and expensive.
High-speed hand dryers are available in both traditional and automatic types.
3. Automatic Hand Dryers
Automatic hand dryers are engineered with infrared sensors that allow the machine to work only when it detects the user’s hands under the vent and automatically turns off when hands are removed.
Unlike manual hand dryers, you don’t even need to push the button to get it working. Therefore, they are a sanitary option. However, they can be on the expensive side.
Automatic hand dryers can be either slow- or high-speed, depending on the brand and model.
Factors to Consider When Buying Hand Dryers
1. Noise
The noise factor depends on your preference and where you want to install the hand dryer.
For example, if you want to install a hand dryer in the library, you would want to go for a low-noise hand dryer to not disturb the people there. Likewise, if you have a baby, you would want a quiet hand dryer for your bathroom.
On the other hand, noise doesn’t make much difference in noisy places, such as clubs or busy restaurants.
Keep in mind that the more the noise, the better the efficiency of the hand dryer. The slow hand dryers take more time to dry hands but are not noisy. So, here you will have to choose between the efficiency of the product and noise.
You may also find such models in the market that allow you to adjust the power according to your needs and control noise levels.
2. Hygiene
Automatic hand dryers don’t need you to press any button to operate, compared to manual hand dryers. So, automatic hand dryers will be your best bet if you are looking for a sanitary option.
This can be even more useful in times of COVID-19 as you don’t want numerous people to touch the dryer and possibly contaminate the surface/object. It can prove to be equally beneficial for other viral infections as well.
In addition, many premium hand dryers are equipped with HEPA filters. Ensure you read the packaging or talk to the manufacturer to confirm this. HEPA stands for “high-efficiency particulate air”, and they completely filter the air blown by hand dryers of dust, bacteria, mold, and other airborne particles.
This requirement may hold the top-most priority for food processing and health care industries compared to other businesses such as bars.
3. Energy
Since high-speed hand dryers operate for a few seconds and get the job done quickly, they are more energy efficient. In other words, they consume less energy, so your environmental impact is lower along with energy costs.
Furthermore, automatic hand dryers are also energy-efficient because they only use energy when someone actually uses them. You should also consider if the hand dryer you are about to buy comes with a heating feature, as it can increase energy consumption.
4. Durability
Hand dryers are made of different materials, and they can affect their durability and look. The most common materials used in hand dryers are stainless steel and thick plastic. Most sturdy models are manufactured using high-quality stainless steel, as it is heavy-duty and can last longer than other materials.
When analyzing the durability of a hand dryer, you should take into account usage frequency and the industry you want to install it. For example, a busy restaurant may need a sturdier hand dryer than a small coffee shop.
It’s always better to ask the supplier about the warranty period of the hand dryer before investing in one, so you can have a rough estimate of how long it can last and if you will be able to replace it when something goes wrong with it.
5. Speed
Whether you want to install a hand dryer in your home or business, you should consider if you or your customers are willing to wait up to a minute to dry their hands. Waiting for a minute when you can dry your hands within 15 seconds with high-speed dryers may seem more frustrating.
This factor will allow you to consider whether you want to invest in a high-speed or low-speed hand dryer while compromising on the other factors discussed above.
6. Cost
Last but not the least, everything boils down to the cost of a hand dryer for many people or even businesses. Premium features like high speed, durability, and energy efficiency come with a higher price tag.
Nevertheless, you must also keep in mind that if you purchase a top-notch quality hand dryer now, although the one-off cost may be high, you will be able to save costs down the road.
In comparison, if those premium features aren’t your priority, you can always buy a cheaper model. Ultimately, it’s always about your priorities and your/your customers’ needs.
