Being able to save on costs is one of the top priorities most people look into when purchasing something for their washrooms. Whether it's something relatively affordable such as paper towel rolls or the more expensive heated towel rails, we will always be looking for the best price.
Also, most people, as much as possible, purchase ones that not only are affordable but will also have low costs when using them in the long run.
Manufacturers saw this need in the market that’s why several brands nowadays have designed and produced a so-called “eco” line of products. This simply means they’re cheaper to run compared to their traditional counterparts and will save you £££ in the long run.
Hand dryers are the same way. A number of brands have also focused on creating hand dryers that not only are effective but also deliver their performance in an efficient way. Hand dryers on their own are already low-cost compared to using paper towels for your washroom.
Are Eco hand dryers any good?
There are some that pushed the limits of design and efficiency so that they become even more cost-effective. All this while still keeping the quality of hand dryers, contrary to what logic might dictate that hand dryers that use lesser energy will be inferior in quality and drying performance.
As you might find through this article, you’ll see that while having a relatively low energy consumption, eco hand dryers are still at par or sometimes even more technologically advanced compared to their traditional counterparts.
Manufacturers included features that improve the convenience, sanitation, and overall look and design of their hand dryers, ones that might not be available to most of the common hand dryers in the market.
This way, businesses and individual users alike won’t have to sacrifice performance and style for lesser operation costs.
How much do Eco hand dryers save in a year?
Based on a study by the UK’s Department for Business, Energy, and Industrial Energy, on average, the country spends 15.14 pence per kWh. This is based on electricity usage data collected from October to December 2021.
Based on this, every time someone uses your hand dryers, it will run you an estimate of .45 pence. Let’s say you use it 100 times per day, 24/7. It will only cost you 45 pence for the whole day.
Annually, a traditional hand dryer will cost around £160 to £165 to run. These numbers are based on the computation that 100 people will use your hand dryer every single day. WIth how efficient hand dryers are, they’re definitely worth it having in your washroom. Especially the ones we have in our lineup where style and design are also a priority, they can add a whiff of elegance to your washroom.
However, if you’re going to install an Eco hand dryer, this cost will significantly become lower. Generally, you’re looking at around £50 to £100 in energy costs per year with eco hand dryers. Now imagine how much you’ll be saving if you have tens or even hundreds of these hand dryers in your commercial spaces.
Businesses like hotels, restaurants, and hospitals more often than not install hand dryers for the benefit of their customers.
Here at Prestige Washrooms, we care not only about the environment and the impact our products will have on it, but also about the operating costs of our customers.
This article will show you our top 7 options of eco hand dryers that will bring your energy costs down annually but still be able to provide high-quality products for your customers.
JetDri Mark 2 Hand Dryer
One of our best sellers here in Prestige, the JetDri Mark 2 offers tons of features for its price. They come in three different finishes: black, white, and brushed steel. As you may notice, these colors are a bit on the neutral side. JetDri’s aim is to manufacture products that are versatile and can be used in most washrooms worldwide. Having a neutral approach to its design is one of the ways they can achieve this.
This model has a drying time of 10-12 seconds which means they’re one of the most efficient hand dryers on the market today. With a power rating of 0.55kW-1.8kW, this hand dryer will only cost you around £1 for every 4,500+ dries. Now that’s some crazy numbers!
On top of that, JetDris also comes with a robust stainless steel exterior which makes them vandal resistant. If you plan on installing them in public places, you can be assured that this hand dryer will last long despite heavy usage and potential vandals.
Another feature that helps make this hand dryer a cut above the rest is its internal heating element on/off switch. During colder days, the switch can be turned on to provide warmth to its users. You can also have this turned off if warmer days are coming which can help you save on energy consumption even more.
Prestige Eco Uni-Blade
Another contender for our top eco hand dryers is the Prestige Eco Uni-Blade. This compact hand dryer has made its waves in the UK market due to its excellent performance, efficiency, and value. For its price, the Prestige Eco Uni-Blade is such a steal. It’s got an exterior made from ABS plastic that comes in either a white or silver finish.
For its power rating, The Uni-Blade clocks in at 0.55 to 1.1 kW. With the recent estimate of 15.14 pence/kWh cost of electricity in the UK, the Uni-Blade will only cost you around £40 per year if 200 people use the hand dryer every single day.
It also has a quick drying time at 12 seconds. This hand dryer is designed for places where there would be light or occasional usage. The Uni-Blade uses its motor to release a strip of air to ensure that your hands are dry. It also comes with two heat settings so you’ll have a choice to keep its operation economical and be low-cost as possible.
Franke STRATOS Electronic Hand Dryer
Going to the higher end of the price range, Franke’s Stratos Electronic Hand Dryer is one of the top eco hand dryers on this list. Being a product that’s a perfect mix of performance and style,
Franke is one of the world’s most recognizable brands when it comes to home and commercial solutions. They are also a leading expert in manufacturing high-quality appliances such as washroom accessories including hand dryers. The company’s attention to detail and quality can be seen in each of their product which is why they’re well-respected in their industry.
Franke’s take on their automatic electronic hand dryer resulted in the Stratos. One of the features it boasts is its adjustable air velocity to help you control its drying time. At its peak, this hand dryer can produce air with speeds up to 95 to 115 m/s, making them highly efficient. All this while only having a power rating of 0.8 to 1kW.
Assuming the hand dryer is used 200 times per day, you’ll only be adding around £37 annually to your electricity bill. On top of its cost-efficiency, the Stratos also comes with advanced technology that greatly improves its performance and durability.
It comes with an infrared sensor that can quickly detect hands from a distance of 10 to 25 cm. This no-touch operation makes the Stratos a hygienic hand dryer. Cross-contamination is lesser compared to push-button type hand dryers. They also have a stainless steel curved exterior with a thickness of 1.5mm.
The Stratos also has an adjustable warm air temperature and an automatic 60-second shut-off to help keep its energy consumption as low as possible.
DryFlow Classic Plus II Hand Dryer
The DryFlow Classic Plus 2 is an improvement of its predecessor with a more sleek and refined design that shows its modern and elegant looks. One of the features that DryFlow boasts in their Classic Plus 2 hand dryer is its motor. It has a life expectancy that exceeds most of its competitors in its class. They’re made for heavy usage and are perfect for public places such as gyms, public transport terminals, restaurants, and medical establishments.
With a drying tie of 18 to 20 seconds, the Classic Plus 2 may not be as quick as its siblings on this list, however, this is still an amazing drying time. DryFlow focused heavily on bringing value by designing a hand dryer that’s low noise and has an IP rating.
Clocking in at 72dB, it operates at a quieter level and won’t interfere with people who are working or are inside establishments where noise isn’t allowed such as libraries. Its IP rating also makes this hand dryer safe from splashes of water and is therefore highly versatile and can be installed in places where water might be present such as leisure parks with swimming pools.
With a power rating of 1.4kW, this durable and rugged yet stylish hand dryer will only add around £85 to your annual electricity bill if it dries 200 hands per day.
Biodrier 3D Smart Hand Dryer
The Biodrier 3D Smart Hand Dryer will be rounding off our list of the top eco hand dryers for 2022. As the name suggests, this hand dryer comes with intelligent heating that detects the temperature around it and adjusts the heater’s output.
With its slimline design, the Biodrier 3D can fit in most washrooms. It also has a durable aluminum casing which deviates from the typical ABS plastic and stainless steel found in most hand dryers.
Its noise range has also been reduced to 70dB without compromising the performance of its motor. As proof, the company claims it has a drying time of 10 seconds or under. More importantly, all of these features are delivered with much lesser energy consumption. The Biodrier uses 90% less energy compared to a conventional hand dryer.
