Running Cost Calculator
Choosing a hand dryer for a commercial facility involves more than comparing purchase prices. Hand dryer running cost is affected by power consumption, drying time, restroom traffic and local electricity rates. Use the calculator below to compare estimated Airdri hand dryer costs with ongoing paper towel expenses based on your facility’s usage.
Step 1: Click on a model
PowerDRI
ComfortDRI
CompactDRI
EnviroDRI
Step 2: Select average usage
Low
Moderate
Very High
Results (per dryer selected)
PowerDRI
Paper Towels
On average 2 towels per dry. 1p per towel cost
You could save $719.65 on running costs by switching to an Airdri PowerDRI hand dryer
What Affects Hand Dryer Running Costs?
A hand dryer’s power rating is important, but wattage alone does not determine its operating cost. Drying time matters just as much. A lower-powered unit that runs for a shorter period can use less electricity per completed dry than a dryer that requires more power or operates for longer.
To estimate hand dryer electricity cost, first convert the dryer’s wattage to kilowatts. Then use this formula:
kW × drying time in seconds ÷ 3,600 = kWh per dry
Multiply the result by your facility’s electricity rate to estimate the cost of one drying cycle. From there, multiplying by daily uses and operating days provides an estimate of the cost of running a hand dryer over a year.
Traffic volume can make small differences in energy consumption more significant. Airports, stadiums, schools, restaurants and other busy facilities may complete hundreds of drying cycles each day, making energy efficiency an important part of long-term operating costs.
Hand Dryer vs. Paper Towels: What Costs More?
Comparing hand dryer vs. paper towels cost requires looking beyond the initial price of the equipment or dispenser. Electric hand dryers primarily create an ongoing electricity cost, while paper towels require facilities to continually purchase replacement stock.
Paper towels can also create costs related to storage, dispenser refilling, waste liners and waste removal. These recurring expenses can become more significant as restroom traffic increases.
For facilities comparing the two options, total cost of ownership provides a more complete picture than purchase price alone. Estimate how frequently each restroom is used, your local electricity tariff and current paper towel consumption to make a comparison based on your actual operating conditions.
Calculate Your Hand Dryer Electricity Cost
Airdri offers premium hand dryers with different performance characteristics for different commercial environments. PowerDRI operates at 800 watts and has a 10-second dry time, making it Airdri’s fastest model and well suited to busy facilities. Airdri currently estimates an annual running cost of $20 for PowerDRI at 200 uses per day under its stated electricity assumptions.
CompactDRI operates at 1.0 kW with a 15-second dry time, while ComfortDRI operates at 1.7 kW with a 15-second dry time and is designed for facilities where lower noise is a priority. Because power ratings and drying times vary, calculating energy use per completed dry helps facilities compare models more accurately.
Use the calculator above to estimate your hand dryer running cost based on expected usage and compare it with paper towel expenses. For help selecting the right premium hand dryer for your facility, Talk to an expert.