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Myths About Hand Dryers Part Two

This blog was written by a 3rd party source to give our readers a different point of view.

Good to see everyone back for part two. Lets dive right into Myth Number Three.

Myth Number Three – “Hand Dryers are More Expensive than Paper Towels.”

In the article “Blowing Hot Air? Five Myths About Hand Dryers Debunked” by president of Excel Dryer Inc. Denis Gagnon he points out “Hand dryers are a one time purchase; once installed they require considerably less attention than paper towel dispensers. Unlike paper, which can cost $15-$30 or more per case, the energy costs of using a hand dryer amount to pennies per day.” It seems logical that a company trying to save money would install a hand dryer. Even though dryers may require larger upfront cost- money is saved in the long run when the company no longer has to purchase paper towel. This generates a positive ripple effect as staff can then spend less time cleaning up and refilling the paper towels.

Myth Number Four – “Paper Towels are Better for the Environment Than Hand Dryers”

The theory behind this myth comes from hand dryers using electricity as opposed to paper towel, which seemingly uses none.  I feel this is an easily debunked myth. In the bathroom you can’t see how much energy went into making the paper towel. However, behind the scenes many resources were used to get the paper to that point. “Although paper towels do not consume electricity in their use, they consume a great deal of energy to be fabricated in the first place…there are also the well-documented environmental costs of paper fabrication; deforestation, pollution and contaminated sediments in nearby sources of water, air pollution from pulp and paper mills, and solid waste production.” The amount of electricity used by a hand dryer that only runs when needed does not outweigh the environmental costs of paper towel.

Myth Number Five – “Hand Dryers are Difficult to Install and Maintain”

This could be a subjective myth as every installer is different as is every model. However, “Many modern models are instead surface-mounted and can be installed at various designated heights quite easily. Quality dryer models do not require much mechanical attention or repair to work properly.” Meaning one doesn’t have to cut a large hole in the wall and hire a hand dryer maintenence department to watch over them. “As long as you choose a vendor with good customer service, installing and maintaining dryers should not present much of a problem.” It’s always good to keep in mind that as time passes and technology improves popular myths need to be reexamined.

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