INSTITUTIONAL USAGE



World Dryer Model A, push button with a cast iron cover



 

Question:

Hand Dryer Expert,

I am considering installing Hand dryers into a mental health unit, but I have some concerns.  Is there is a concern of safety associated with hand dryers?  

Thank you, Glenn


Answer:

Glenn,

Hand dryers are made with safety standards and vandalism prevention in mind.  Dryers operate in mental institutions, federal prisons, and large public schools.  They have an excellent, proven track record.  One model to consider is the World Dryer Model A with a cast iron cover.  This has been extensively tested for vandalism over the past 60 years that it has been in service!    Cast iron with porcelain enamel is the best for vandalism, but stainless steel is on par.  (I was told by one major chain that they use only stainless because the vandals don’t even bother messing with it.  Brushed is the best because it hides marks.) 

 

Many institutions swear by push button models because they feel they are more durable, but I prefer automatics because there are less moving parts and of course you don’t have to touch them.  One prison told me that they go with automatic because they are afraid that the push button, if it were somehow pried free, could be used as a weapon. 

Thanks, Hand Dryer Expert

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Email:HandDryerExpert@gmail.com
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ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND HEAT





World Dryer SmartDri allows you the control
whether the heating element is in use.

 

Question:

Hand Dryer Expert,

I am looking for an electric hand dryer with a heater, not just room (ambient) temperature. I would like one that uses a low amount of energy too. Could you give me some information as to what my options are?

Thanks, Don

 

Answer:

Don,

It used to be that all hand dryers had heating elements. Heat makes your hands feel more comfortable while drying them, but it does not necessarily speed up the dry time, especially in the faster hand dryers which displace the water rather than evaporate it. The heating element generally uses more energy than the motor for the blower. So some of the newer high speed hand dryers have removed the heating element to make a more energy efficient, albeit cooler, hand dryer. Others, like the World Dryer Smartdri, have a heating element that can be turned off.

There are a number of good choices when it comes to dryers with heating elements:

World Dryer
The traditional standard in the industry is the World Dryer Model A. This comes with a heating element and consumes 2300 watts, which is now on the high end of energy consumption (although still considerably more efficient than paper towels). To get the same (very durable) hand dryer that consumes less energy, get the World Dryer AirMax. The AirMax also consumes 2300 watts, but it has a motor that is almost twice as fast (15 seconds vs 25 seconds to dry) as the Model A. It therefore uses almost ½ the energy, which helped it to qualify for a GreenSpec listing. 

 

XleratorHere we have an even faster hand dryer (12-15 seconds) that uses less energy (1500 watts). It also has a heating element and puts out nice warm air. 

 

Nova 1
The Nova 1 hand dryer is only 1000 watts. It also has a heating element but is not very powerful. So because it takes more time to dry your hands, (about 30 seconds) it is not as energy efficient as the high speed hand dryers. 

 

American Dryer GXT

This hand dryer is similar in function to the Xlerator, but more compact. It uses about 1500 watts and this can be adjusted down with lower speed settings. However its sister hand dryer, the EXT, has no heating element at all and it gets VERY efficient at about 540 watts on the fastest settings.

 

Slimdri
The new World Dryer Slimdri has a heating element and is very energy efficient at only 950 watts. And it is very slim (ADA compliant). But wait, there’s more! The heating element can be turned off, pushing the energy consumption to only 350 watts, or 3.5 amps at 120 volts. It is a mid-speed hand dryer, about 20 seconds. 

Thanks, Hand Dryer Expert

=====================================

??? Do you have a hand dryer question ???
Email:HandDryerExpert@gmail.com
=====================================