How to Choose the Best Hand Dryer
Factors to Consider When Purchasing a Hand Dryer
- Sanitation: Each hand dryer is different in its style and construction. Automatic hand dryers offer a hands-free solution, whereas push hand dryers require the user to touch the unit for operation.
- Efficiency: High-speed, automatic hand dryers use an infrared sensor, only turning on when a person's hands are within range and running for an average of 15 seconds. Traditional hand dryers must be manually turned on and run for an average of 30 seconds. They continue to run within this time frame, even if the user has walked away.
- Power: Hand dryers are designed with both high and low power. High-power hand dryers push air at a greater speed, using more energy yet reducing the overall dry time. Low-powered hand dryers release air out at a slower speed, so users can take more time to dry their hands if needed. The main trade-off between power and speed is how environmentally-friendly the hand dryer is.
- Maintenance: Hand dryers require weekly, quarterly, and yearly maintenance for peak performance. The exterior of the unit should be wiped down once per day with a damp cloth to prevent the buildup of debris within the air holes. Depending on if the usage is light or heavy, routine maintenance on the interior of the hand dryer should be performed every 4 or 12 months by a qualified professional to ensure the hand dryer meets the proper standards of care. If your unit uses a HEPA filter, the filter should be replaced every 6 to 12 months.
- Cost: Every additional feature, such as heat supply, filters, mounting kits, and other hand dryer parts and accessories influences the cost of the hand dryer, which means they can run anywhere between a few hundred to a few thousand dollars.
- Noise: The decibel level is largely dependent on the speed of the hand dryer. Typically, the higher the power, the louder the sound, although different hand dryer brands allow the noise level to be adjusted, such as with Excel's decibel nozzle. It's important to consider the environment surrounding the placement of your hand dryer to determine which hand dryer will suit your business's needs.
- ADA Compliance: All hand dryers must comply with ADA standards. In order to meet these qualifications, a hand dryer must not be placed higher than 4' from the floor, and if it's wall-mounted, must be recessed using a recess kit or not have a depth greater than 4". Traditional push hand dryers must be operable using only one hand and with a force no greater than 5 lb. Hand dryers must also be easy to visually locate.
Types of Hand Dryers
Here are some of the popular categories.
- Push Button: This type of hand dryer is operated through manual force. The hand dryer turns on when the button on the front is pushed and it runs for a predetermined amount of time.
- Automatic: An automatic hand dryer is touch-free. It turns on when hands are recognized by the infrared sensor and turns off once hands are moved away.
Mounting Types
The option is available to have a recess- or surface-mounted hand dryer, depending on the flow of your bathroom.
Recess Mount
Recessed hand dryers are built directly into a wall box and then installed onto a bathroom wall. They save wall space and are protected from potential damage.
Surface Mount
Surface mount hand dryers are installed directly onto a bathroom wall. They don't require additional parts for installation and are easily noticeable.
Versatile Styles
Push button and automatic hand dryers come in 3 different styles as well.
Hands Under
With this hand dryer, hot air is blown downward and away from the user. There’s no basin underneath, so the chance of germs being collected is minimal, although they can be diverted to the surrounding walls or floor.
Trough
This hand dryer is designed for the user to insert their hands into it. While the dry time is relatively fast with a trough model, there is more of a chance of touching shared, unclean surfaces.
Sink Mount
This hand dryer is built directly into the top of a sink deck. The user can easily move from rinsing their hands to drying them without leaving the area. The water from the user’s hands is blown directly back into the sink, making this the most hygienic option.
Are Hand Dryers Sanitary?
Bacteria of Hand Dryers vs. Paper Towels
There are many sides to the hand dryer vs. paper towel debate. Paper towels are quiet yet wasteful, while hand dryers are louder yet produce zero waste. Hand dryers have a longer lifespan than paper towels, which must be frequently replenished. Here's a more in-depth breakdown:
- Easily accessible
- Virtually noiseless
- Can be used to open the bathroom door, reducing touchpoints
- Automatic dispenser is more hygienic than a conventional hand dryer
- Wasteful
- Costly in the long run
- Require upkeep and replenishing
- Breed bacteria if left damp and are not properly disposed of
- Certain models require the user to manually touch the paper towel dispenser
- Zero waste
- Easily accessible
- High-speed models with HEPA filters reduce spread of germs
- Touchless hand dryers reduce overall number of restroom touchpoints
- Higher upfront cost
- Can blow bacteria around if hands are not properly washed
- Noisy operation may not be suitable for some environments
- Installation fee with the potential for servicing and maintenance expenditures
- Certain models require the user to manually touch the hand dryer to activate it
HEPA Filters and Wall Guards
Modern hand dryers have the option to be installed with HEPA filters, which are certified to remove a high percentage of particulates from the surrounding environment. For example, 99.99% of viruses are removed from the air with XLERATOR hand dryers that feature HEPA filters. High-speed hand dryers with HEPA filters are the best defense against the spread of bacteria, outweighing both paper towels and conventional hand dryers. If your unit uses a HEPA filter, the filter should be replaced every 6 to 12 months.
Wall guards can also be used in conjunction with HEPA filters to keep the surrounding area hygienic. Wall guards feature antimicrobial designs that protect your walls from water droplet stains and other residue. This prevents bacteria from building up.
How to Install a Hand Dryer
While the installation of a hand dryer is not complicated, it's highly suggested that it be done by a licensed electrician. Before installation, it's important to calculate the correct hand dryer voltage you'll need based on the current voltages being used throughout your business. A licensed electrician can determine how much voltage is available for use and compare that to the voltage settings of the hand dryers you're considering. Once installed, you can enjoy years of superior hand dryer performance!
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