Hand Dryer Case Study (Community Centre) - St Werburghs Centre, Bristol

The challenge

The building housed old conventional hand dryers which hardly dried the hands and were very energy hungry. The requirement was that new units dried the hands quickly enough, but also were energy efficient.

 “They make the place more hygienic and people are less inclined to use toilet roll.”

Jonathan Newey - Centre Director, St Werburghs Community Association

About St Werburghs Centre

Based in St Werburghs in East-Central Bristol, they serve the local communities and communities of interest across the city. Managed by the St Werburghs Community Association, it aims to provide accessible and affordable meeting rooms and facilities for individuals, community groups and voluntary organisations. Rooms are offered within its characterful Victorian building or contemporary and eco-friendly Annexe.

The solution

The Ecoforce hand dryer can run at just 500W and still provide a dry time that satisfies all user expectations. A low noise hand dryer suitable for all demographics

• Model: Dryflow Ecoforce
• Dry time range: 20 – 25 seconds
• Rated power: 500W – 1250W (On/Off heater switch)
• Guarantee length: 3 years

The results

Estimated annual cost to use old hand dryers: £180 (based on 12p per kW/h)

Estimated annual cost to use new hand dryers: £18.90 - £47.25 (based on 12p per kW/h)

Annual cost savings: £132.75 - £161.10

Estimated annual old hand dryer carbon production: 810 Kg/CO₂ (based on 1kW = 0.54 kg/CO₂)

Estimated annual new hand dryer carbon production: 85 – 212.63 Kg/CO₂ (based on 1kW = 0.54 kg/CO₂)

Annual carbon savings: 597.37 – 725 Kg/CO₂

Estimated return on investment period:

Payback period: approx. 3.9 – 4.7 years