You have chosen electric hand drying!
That's it! You've decided, or made the choice: drying hands with paper towels is too expensive , generates waste , and the level of hygiene required in your establishment is compatible with implementing a hot air or forced air drying method...
But now, you'll have to choose the right electric hand dryer from a jungle of features, manufacturers, sub-brands, assemblers, etc., to find a reliable, suitable, and affordable appliance. At Voussert, we've been sourcing from leading manufacturers for our clients for over 45 years , and we'll try to shed some light on this complex market.
How is an electric hand dryer made?
Ultimately, the design consists primarily of a motor, an electronic circuit board , an infrared detector , and a casing made of ABS or metal . Additional components may include LED lighting , a HEPA filter for air discharge, supplementary disinfection via a UV lamp , and, in the case of a vertical, forced-air model like the "Dyson," a water collection tank .
It is therefore obvious that no single "manufacturer" possesses all the necessary skills , which require engine manufacturing, plastic injection molding, electronic component design, and so on. Generally, the various components are assembled by the manufacturer, who may or may not have exclusive rights to the design of their device, using a mold for the casing. The injection molding can be done in-house or outsourced, while maintaining the absolute properties of the mold, which costs tens of thousands of euros.
He then built his device and its variants from these elements.
In this specific case, we're talking about manufacturers like JVD in France, who, for devices like the Exp'air and Sup'Air, for example, truly control the design and manufacturing process. This doesn't preclude the fact that, for part of their product range, the products are simply sourced and branded under their own name. Other companies, like Rossignol, don't manufacture any hand dryers themselves, yet they also offer a selection of finished products branded with the Rossignol name.
As you can see, there are manufacturers and then there are manufacturers...
Where are the manufacturers of electric hand dryers?
Like most manufactured goods these days, hand dryers come from Asia . While it's true that assemblers in France, Italy, and elsewhere have their own designs and molds , as we've seen, everything else is imported. So how can a manufacturer claim "Made in France"? Simply because "Made in France" doesn't require that the entire finished product be made in France , but rather that a substantial portion of the product's value (including assembly) be generated there. Therefore, if you import $50 worth of components, but the assembly, fitting, and adjustment of the product, added to that $50, represent a significant cost, the manufacturer can claim "Made in France."
What is the warranty period for electric hand dryers?
The standard legal warranty period is 2 years under the European legal guarantee of conformity, but you may find extended warranties on certain models or from some manufacturers, up to 3 or even 5 years. It is essential to carefully review the terms and conditions of these extended warranties and what they cover.
Of course, care must be taken to maintain and manage the appliance properly . Regular replacement of the motor or HEPA filters is essential. Regular emptying of the water collection tank is also necessary for forced-air models. Naturally, the appliance should only be used for drying hands. Experience shows instances of misuse, such as drying mechanical parts. Inappropriate appliance sizing can also be problematic for daily use. In all cases, the electrical connection must be carried out by a qualified professional using an appropriate electrical protection system, as this appliance is intended for installation in restrooms.
Lifespan: brushed or brushless motor?
The motor, which is generally high-powered, can be brushed for a better price or brushless for high-end models. Therefore, there are several levels of manufacturing quality, given that it's the heart of the product! The reliability of a brushless motor is, of course, longer, but this option is more expensive to purchase. The choice will depend on the daily usage. Naturally, for intensive use such as in an airport, train station, or motorway service area, the brushless motor option is practically mandatory, even though a brushed motor remains reliable. Voussert's "Prestige" vertical models are brushless models designed for high traffic and high reliability.
Comparison of options: Hot air, forced air, automatic or manual
The offering has become more complex with the arrival of high-pressure hand dryers in recent years.
The product range is currently divided into two main categories:
- Hot air (automatic or manual activation)
- Forced air (vertical type Dyson, JVD or Rossignol Aery).
The choice now falls mainly on devices that offer a solution widely promoted by Dyson at the launch of these devices.
The big advantage is the speed, as we are talking about a few seconds compared to 30 seconds for a traditional device.
Advantages and disadvantages of hot air hand dryers with heating element
It is characterized by hand drying based on the production of hot air blown at speeds varying from 80 to 110 km/h.
This electric hand dryer with a heating element is historically the most widespread and economical to purchase. There are models with a push button or models with a photocell (automatic) that prevent any contact between the user and the electric hand dryer.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of an automatic trigger model versus a model with a manual push button?
-> Like all the new generation models, the automatic model offers contactless operation . From a hygiene standpoint, this provides an additional guarantee, given that a very large proportion of contamination occurs via the hands.
The drawback of this type of hand dryer is the reliability of the detection sensor , which sometimes (as you may have experienced) fails to activate. In this case, the user has no alternative drying method unless a dispenser is installed.
-> The manually activated model is more reliable with regard to photocells, but it should be reserved for restrooms with low traffic . Indeed, excessive use of the push button inevitably leads to mechanism failure . Furthermore, the user's hand contact with the button does not guarantee impeccable hygiene.
Advantages and disadvantages of the "Dyson" type high-velocity air hand dryer
It has become the new standard because it was democratized by the manufacturer Dyson in terms of installation volume, with a plethora of models and features that deserve to be examined in detail. It is characterized by hand drying based on an air speed far exceeding that of traditional products. This air speed blows the water from the hands down the device, thus drying them. This air speed does not require hot air, but many models offer this feature with the option to turn it off.
The water is therefore usually collected at the bottom of the product in a reservoir that needs to be emptied regularly for proper maintenance. Indeed, only certain products combine this airflow with gentle heating. Therefore, unlike a hot air electric hand dryer, there is no "evaporation" but rather "ventilation." This explains the ultra-fast drying time of around 10 seconds.
The cost of use is low in terms of consumption , but the investment remains high, with prices 5 to 8 times higher than a hot air hand dryer.
Therefore, several points will need to be checked:
-> Motor type : brushed or brushless motor
-> Presence of a removable filter and cost of the consumable
-> Presence of an ultraviolet system to reduce contamination
-> Accessibility for people with reduced mobility (PRM)
-> Manufacturer's warranty advertised
-> Type of hand access: vertical or horizontal , which will determine the possibility for children or small people to have more or less easy access.
Forced air is essential, but...
Dyson, who originated this concept, has made it an essential product, but we must not lose sight of the fundamentals.
Wiping with disposable solutions remains the gold standard from a hygiene standpoint, with a higher risk of bacterial growth. Important in case of poor maintenance. We cannot guarantee that the user will not get water or soap on the walls during the drying process.
Furthermore, while the latest generations equipped with HEPA filtration significantly improve results, it's an exaggeration to claim they offer superior bacteriological protection compared to paper towels. Another drawback of this type of hand dryer is its airflow , which often generates more noise than traditional hot air dryers. Therefore, careful consideration must be given to the location where the hand dryer will be installed. A quieter model would be more suitable for restaurants and hotels where the traffic flow isn't as high as that of a train station.