The Real Cost of Hand Dryers: Are They Expensive to Operate?

Ever get that moment of truth in a public restroom, weighing the options of paper towels versus the efficiency of a hand dryer? It’s a classic dilemma and a major one for businesses and facility managers. But do hand dryers deserve their reputation for being a money pit? Let’s dive into the real cost comparison of hand dryers versus paper towels, looking not just at the initial expense, but also the long-term impact on the wallet and the planet.

Upfront Costs vs. Long-Term Savings

Buying a hand dryer is going to sting more upfront than grabbing a stack of paper towels. You’ve got the dryer itself, plus whatever it takes to get it installed, and that varies depending on the model and your building’s wiring. It seems simple and cheap, especially with those cheap paper towels.

But hold up. Think about it like buying a car. The sticker price can give you a heart attack, right? But knowing what you’ll spend over time is where the real story is. Hand dryers, like those fuel-sipping hybrids, often come out ahead financially down the road. A decent hand dryer can last anywhere from 5 to 10 (or even more!) years with a little care, giving you a solid return on your investment. Paper towels? The average cost of paper towels can range from $25 to $50 per month, depending on usage, for a small to medium-sized business. Over time, these recurring expenses add up significantly. For instance, if a business spends $500 annually on paper towels, this cost compounds year after year. 

Electricity Consumption & Energy Efficiency

One of the biggest questions when talking about hand dryer operating costs is the electricity. Don’t forget that hand dryer power consumption can be the determining factor for the cost of running it. Remember those old, slow-hand dryers that took forever? Chances are it used up a lot of power. Things have changed. Today’s energy-efficient hand dryers are designed to sip power.

Modern high-speed hand dryers combine great technology to dry hands fast (around 10-12 seconds), reducing the time they’re running. Some models even have HEPA filters for better hygiene. Over a year, the electricity cost of hand dryers ends up being a drop in the bucket compared to what you’d spend on paper towels.

The initial investment in an energy-efficient hand dryer quickly pays for itself. The lower hand dryer power consumption almost guarantees that the electricity cost of hand dryers will stay low.

Maintenance & Repair Costs

Here is where you see another factor in the cost comparison of hand dryers versus paper towels. Hand dryers are low maintenance. Hand dryers typically have very few moving parts, with the occasional air filter replacement being the primary maintenance task.

Paper towel dispensers, however, need constant refilling. It takes time, labour, and supplies. Paper towels create a mess, clog drains, and create an unsightly appearance. With fewer parts, hand dryer maintenance costs are usually way lower. Repair costs are also typically less due to the solid design.

Paper Towel Costs: A Hidden Expense

Let’s look straight at just how much paper towels cost. It’s more than the price of the package. There are some hidden costs of paper towels.

• Purchasing: While each buy looks cheap, they never quit coming.

• Storage: Where are you keeping all these towels? Storage takes up space, and it’s not free.

• Waste Disposal: Paper towels fill up trash cans fast. This means more waste, which means more trips to dispose of it and the cost that comes with it.

• Labour: Staff time spent refilling dispensers and cleaning paper towel messes represents a substantial, and often hidden, labour cost.

Also, consider the environmental impact: paper towels contribute significantly to landfill waste and deforestation, making them a less sustainable option compared to eco-friendly hand dryers.

Cost comparison between using paper towels and hand dryers:

Paper Towels

• Constant refilling, messes to clean, and staff time to keep it all moving.

• Deforestation, manufacturing, and disposal.

• Have to buy them constantly.

Hand Dryers

• Easy to clean and maintain.

• Less impact.

• Lowers expenses long-term.

Real-World Savings

Choosing paper towels can lead to greater expenses than using hand dryers due to their disposable nature and the constant need for replacements. Additionally, paper towels have a significant environmental footprint, with daily waste in the US exceeding 3,000 tons. Their production demands the felling of 17 trees and the use of 20,000 gallons of water per ton. Moreover, their decomposition contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, releasing methane, which is far more potent than carbon dioxide.

Specific Applications:

• Schools: High-traffic restrooms in schools generate a significant amount of paper towel waste. Switching to durable, energy-efficient hand dryers can lead to substantial long-term savings.

• Offices: Offices can reduce their environmental footprint and operational costs by installing hand dryers in restrooms and kitchens. This also enhances the hygiene of the facilities.

• Restaurants: Restaurants can improve hygiene standards and reduce costs by using hand dryers in customer and staff restrooms. This also reduces the risk of paper towel litter and improves overall cleanliness.

Environmental & Sustainability Factors

Beyond the money, the environmental positives of hand dryers are clear. Compare their carbon footprint to paper towels. Manufacturing, deforestation, transporting, and waste disposal contribute to emissions of greenhouse gases when you consider these parts of the cost of paper towels.

Hand dryers, especially eco-friendly hand dryers can reduce your business’s carbon footprint. Plenty of dryers are now created to meet ecological certifications like LEED, making it easy to get your business committed to sustainability. Choosing hand dryers aligns with an overall movement for sustainable restroom solutions.

So, are hand dryers all that expensive to maintain? Hand dryers are actually the way to go in any facility setting you can set up. While the initial cost might seem a bit more expensive, when you look at the costs of paper towels, you find they can’t compare to the total hand dryer operating costs. Hand dryer maintenance costs are also low.

Modern hand dryers, particularly energy-efficient hand dryers, use less power. When you see the long-term savings of hand dryers and think of the environmental advantages, the choice is obvious: hand dryers make sense.