UNDERSTANDING WORLD DRYER MODEL NUMBERS

Looking for a particular World Dryer Hand Dryer but you can't make sense of those World Dryer model numbers? In this installment, we help you to understand what the model numbers mean and how to use them. We are specifically going to talk about the most popular World Dryer models, the World Dryer Model A, AirMax and Airstyle hand and hair dryers. There is a little bit of a Method to the Model Number Madness and also some history. So pour yourself a strong cup of coffee and you will soon be in the model-number-know.

Here is the simplest World Dryer model number:

A-974

This is the basic Model A hand dryer, shown by the “A” in the primary location. This particular unit is the standard hand dryer and the first that was manufactured by World Dryer. It has a porcelain enamel cast iron cover, is push button, has a swivel nozzle, requires 115 volts, 20 Amps and is white. The A in the model number, with no other numbers or letters, indicates all of these base features except for white, which is indicated by the suffix of 974.

Technically, without an “A” at the end of the model number, this unit is a demo unit and not for sale. We usually ignore this last letter since it does not provide any other information, but when you receive your unit, you would see it written like this:

A-974A

At some point, World Dryer started offering these units with a fixed nozzle (does not swivel for using on the face and hair) option. To show the fixed nozzle, a “5” was introduced after the primary model letter as follows:

A5-974A

More recently, all of the model A hand dryers were converted to Universal Nozzles, meaning they can be adjusted with an Allen wrench to either swivel or fixed. Once World Dryer made that change, they began shipping all of their models in the fixed position. If you want a swivel nozzle, you need to adjust it yourself once you have the dryer. If you have a job that specifies a swivel nozzle (without the “5” in the model number), you would still order it fixed (with the “5”) and adjust it during installation. As a result, all World Dryer Models A and M (AirMax) come only fixed and therefore must have the 5 after the primary model letter.

To show that the nozzle is “Universal” ie adjustable in the field, World Dryer added a “U” at the end of the model number. So the standard unit now looks like this:

A5-974AU

However, since all model A’s now come fixed and we don’t need the last A anyway, most people completely drop the A and the U and write the model number like this:

A5-974

Many people drop suffix (the part after the dash) and call this unit simply an “A5 hand dryer”. But you really need the 974 to know the color and cover type. So don’t specify just an A5 hand dryer. Specify an A5-974.

As the options were added to this dryer over the years, other letters and numbers were added to model numbers.

An “M” instead of an “A” indicated an AirMax hand dryer. The AirMax is identical to the model A, but almost twice as fast. We specify the AirMax whenever we can unless there is a problem with the added noise of a high-speed hand dryer.

M5-974

= AirMax, push button, porcelain enamel, 115 volt, cast iron cover.

Since the AirMax blows such a large volume of air, World Dryer would prefer that users did not blow the air into their eyes, and so this unit does not come with the Allen wrench to convert it to swivel, and is therefore not a Universal Nozzle, so you will not see the “U” at the end of the model number, only the “A”. (M5-974A will be written on the box.) Can you convert it to swivel if you have the Allen wrench? Yes. Unless World Dryer used an old style nozzle.

A “B” for the primary model letter indicates the World Dryer Airstyle hair dryer. This is essentially the same as the model A but configured upside down so that long hair does not get pulled into the air intake at the bottom. These units only come with swivel nozzles, so you will not see the “5” in the model number. They also only come in push button – no automatics. If you want an automatic hair dryer, purchase a Model A, but you are taking your chances with long hair!

B-974

= Airstyle hair dryer, push button, 115 volts, 20 amps, porcelain enamel cast iron cover (good for a steamy locker room), swivel nozzle.

Electrical

As other wattage options were added to these models, they were represented by numbers just after the model number as follows:

No extra number: 115 volts, 20 amps, 2300 watts

“2” 115 volts, 15 amps, 1725 watts, 60 Hz
These units are more energy efficient because the heating element was dialed down.

A52-974

“4” 208 / 230 volts, 10 amps, 2300 watts

A54-974

“7” 277 volts, 8.5 amps, 2300 watts

A57-974

The “1” and the “3” are used only for the Model B hair dryer:

“1” 115 volt 10 amps, 1725 watts

B1-974

“3” 208 / 230 volts, 10 amps, 2300 watts

B3-974

International

If you are exporting or importing hand dryers outside of North America, the voltage requirement is usually 230 volts but with 50 Hz instead of 60 Hz used in the US. 50 Hz is indicated in an additional number slot by the an “8.”

A548-974 230 volts, 10 Amps, 2300 watts, 50 Hz “export only”

Sensor hand dryers

When automatic (hands free / infrared sensor) hand dryers were added to the model numbers, they were indicated by the letter “X.” So if you want an automatic unit (which we recommend) purchase the

XA5-974 for the Model A

or

XM5-974 for the AirMax

Other cover options

Cast iron has always been the standard in the hand dryer industry. But today there are many different cover options available. In the Model A, B and AirMax hand dryers, you can get steel (less expensive but easier to scratch or rust), or stainless steel, or World Stone, which is a bulk molded compound (BMC).

You can also have your cast iron in the alternate color of beige. (Almost everyone buys white or stainless.)

To change the color to beige (cast iron only) or to specify one of the WorldStone colors (automatic only – no push button), change the suffix number.

468 Beige cast iron

674 White WorldStone

668 Beige WorldStone

662 Black WorldStone

665 Granite Grey WorldStone

A5-468

Model A, cast iron, beige

XM5-662

AirMax, Black (ebony) WorldStone

A steel hand dryer is indicated by the prefix letter of “D”

DA5-974 or DXA5-974

white steel hand dryers

To indicate either brushed (satin) or polished (bright or mirror) stainless steel, you change the suffix number, but you also still need the “D” in the prefix.

972 polished

973 brushed

DA5-972, DXM5-972

polished stainless steel hand dryers

DA5-973, DXM5-973

brushed stainless steel hand dryers

Mounting options

All of the models we have looked at so far are surface mounted hand dryers. To get an ADA compliant, recessed hand dryer, you will need an “R” in the prefix. These hand dryers come with a wall box that fits into the wall. This option is only available in cast iron or brushed stainless steel. (One used to be able to purchase a recessing kit for the other cover options, but this is no longer the case.)

For the recessed version, you must also add a “Q” to the suffix. This indicates the squashed nozzle that helps the unit meet ADA compliance. You can make a special order for a recessed hand dryer with a regular, large nozzle, but it is not ADA compliant. You can also still purchase the old “E nozzle” which is a flat grid, but these are being replaced by the “Q” nozzles.

RA5-Q974

recessed model A, push button, 115 volt, cast iron cover with a fixed Q nozzle

DXRM5-Q973 recessed AirMax, automatic, brushed stainless steel cover with a fixed Q nozzle

RA5E-974

Recessed model A, cast iron, push button, 115 volts with a flat grill E nozzle. (Note that the “E” comes on the other side of the dash than the Q – this is just a model number glitch.)

Congratulations. You are now an expert in the World Dryer Model A, B and AirMax hand dryer model numbers.

Here is your quiz. Decipher these two model numbers - from the most basic to the most complicated:

B-974

DXRM548-Q973AU

Answers:

Which hand dryer should I buy?

Summary:
Our number one recommendation is the World Dryer AirForce hand dryer. This is a high-speed hand dryer at a great price and one of the most energy efficient hand dryers in the world. If you are concerned with vandalism or noise levels, we recommend the high speed World Dryer AirMax Hand Dryer or the Model A Hand Dryer (more on these below.)

The AirForce hand dryer is new by World Dryer in 2008 and has a number of great features:

High speed
12 to 15 seconds to dry hands vs 30 – 40 seconds for traditional hand dryers. This is part of a new category of dryers in the same class as the Xlerator or the Dyson.

A high-speed hand dryer means:

1. Your customers are happier. They will be out of the restroom quickly and they will not feel inconvenienced by using a hand dryer versus paper towels. No more jokes about drying their hands on their pants, which will be a welcome relief for me.
2. More people will get through the restroom in less time. Key if you have a high-volume situation like a sports or entertainment venue.
3. Lower energy costs since the machines run for less time.

Low Energy
The AirForce consumes only 1,100 watts of electricity. There are only a handful of dryers that consume less – for example the Nova 1 hand dryer. But since the AirForce is ALSO a high-speed hand dryer, it runs for less time. The combination of high speed and low energy makes this one of the, if not the, most energy efficient hand dryers available anywhere and earns it a Greenspec listing.

It is important to note that even the standard hand dryers like the Model A (2300 watts for 30 second dry time) still do not use a lot of energy. The cost to run one Model A hand dryer at a fast food restaurant for a year can be about $100 depending on usage and energy costs. That might replace $900 worth of paper towels! And even though hand dryers do use energy, it takes MORE energy to manufacture the roughly 2.5 paper towels that you would have used to wash your hands than it takes to run even a standard 2300 watt dryer.

Size, weight and look (of the AirForce)
At 7 lbs, this hand dryer can be mounted almost anywhere in the restroom. It is also modern and stylish.

Hygienic
The World Dryer AirForce Hand Dryer has a nice smooth surface that does not collect dirt and grime as easily as a dryer that has crevices. The AirForce is therefore easier to keep clean.

The World Dryer AirForce is embedded with Steritouch™ anti-microbial. The anti-microbial is embedded in the painted cover (white or black) and also in the plastic components that are on the bottom (the part you might touch) and the inside of the dryer.

Noise level
Most high-speed hand dryers are louder than their lower-speed counter-parts. This is one of the trade-offs of using a high-speed hand drier. In our opinion, the extra noise does not make a big enough difference to counterbalance the benefits of the higher speed, but if the hand dryer is very close to a noise sensitive area, such as an office or classroom, you might want to consider a lower noise hand dryer like the Model A or the Nova 5 hand dryer.

Still, the AirForce has a lower noise level than many other high-speed hand dryers. With hands present, (and be careful, because a hand dryer is used with hands, so don’t accept comparisons without hands present. The sound of high-speed air hitting hands can be quiet loud) the AirForce has a dB rating of 85.1 dB. This compares to over 90 dB for other high speed hand dryers, 83.3 dB for the AirMax high speed hand dryer, and a quiet dB rating of 75 for the World Dryer Model A hand dryer. One of the reasons the AirForce can acheive this is the 11 air outlets that spread the air over the hands instead of just one nozzle.

Others are even quieter, like the Electric-Aire LE hand dryer which is only 70 dB. The LE hand dryer and others in its class use induction motors, unlike the brush motors of the other hand dryers we have been discussing. This makes them quieter, but you are giving up on speed-of-dry performance at the same time.

The AirForce is unique in that it has 11 air outlets instead of just one like many other dryers. This is one of the reasons the noise is dispersed. It also, in our opinion, makes it more comfortable to use since it covers the entire hand and doesn’t direct a concentrated jet of air at your hand that can be, well, quiet exciting.

Vandalism and durability
If you are in a high-use, high-vandalism scenario like certain roadway rest-stops, football stadiums, schools or fast food restaurants then having a tough hand dryer may be your first concern. We recommend the World Dryer AirMax high speed hand dryer. The AirMax is a 15 second hand dryer, so about the same as the AirForce, but still about twice as fast as the standard World Dryer Model A hand dryer - which is closer to 30 seconds. Since it uses the same amount of energy as the Model A but is about twice as fast, the AirMax hand dryer is twice as energy efficient as the Model A, which is why it earns the GreenSpec listing along with the extremely efficient AirForce.

The AirMax is built with the same tried and true and incredibly durable base and cover as the Model A. One of the cover options is the cast iron cover with a white porcelain enamel coating. The cast iron is literally bullet-proof (World Dryer has the squashed bullet to prove it) and the porcelain enamel vitreous coating makes the cast iron cover nearly scratch-proof. This is similar to an old fashioned heavy duty cast iron bath tub with its thick porcelain enamel coating.
The AirMax has a 10-year warranty on parts, 5 years on the motor and sensor and 3 years on the replaceable motor brushes. The AirForce has a 5 year warranty throughout. The Model A is the same as the AirMax but with a full 10 years on the motor.

If you want the same durability and vandal-resistance as the AirMax, but you also are looking for a quieter hand dryer, we recommend the Model A. As a 30 second dryer, this is also a very good dryer – in fact it has been the standard for many years – and it is still faster than many other dryers.

The AirMax and the Model A hand dryers come with many cover options, including cast iron, stainless steel (both cast and stainless are very good vandal-resistant materials) steel – still quite strong, but easier to scratch or dent than cast iron, and WorldStone, a very nice bulk molded compound. For more on hand dryer cover optons, please see: Cover Options. For information on push button vs automatic hand dryers, see push button vs automatic hand dryers. (I like automatic.)

So far we have discussed high speed and standard hand dryers. Here are some other hand dryer questions you should be thinking about.

ADA compliant hand dryers / recessed hand dryers
The American with Disabilities Act asks that items that are in a passageway protrude 4 inches or less off the wall. This is primarily to keep a blind person from bumping into something as they are walking. For ADA standards, click here: ADA

The easiest way to meet this standard is to mount your dryer out of a passageway – the end of a wall, for example, near a sink or behind a partition. If this is not possible, some hand dryers come in either a recessed version or with a recess kit that will make them ADA compliant.

There are a few dryers on the market that are ADA compliant even without a recess kit. For example, you can purchase the Nova 1 or 2 hand dryers, which are 4” off the wall even if surface mounted. These are also lower cost hand dryers, but on the other hand are not as durable or fast as some other dryers, so not appropriate for all settings.

• Nova 1 hand dryer
• Nova 2 hand dryers (higher air volume than the Nova 1)

The World Dryer Model A and AirMax series hand dryers are offered in very durable cast iron or stainless steel recessed versions. (For example, models RA5-Q974, XRA5-Q974, M5-Q974, XM5-Q975.) The recessed kit is included as part of the hand dryer. A space will need to be made in the wall to insert the dryers, so there is a little more construction than a surface-mounted hand dryer requires.



The AirForce hand dryer can be purchased along with an additional recess kit (KJR-973) into which the dryer fits.

You can also purchase a recess kit for the Airspeed and NoTouch hand dryers, but the dryer will still protrude more than 4” and so will NOT be ADA compliant if in a passageway, but will still take up less room.

Quiet Hand Dryers:
Below is a list of the noise ratings for various hand dryers. As a very general rule of thumb, the higher the noise level, the faster and more durable the dryer.

Induction motors
• Electric-Aire LE hand dryers 70 dBs
• Airspeed and NoTouch hand dryers 71 dBs
• Nova 4 hand dryers 74 dBs
• Nova 5 hand dryers 74 dBs



Brush Motors
• World Dryer Model A hand dryers 75 dBs
• World Dryer AirMax hand dryers 83 dBs
• World Dryer AirForce hand dryers 85 dBs

FYI, there are some high-speed hand dryers that can spike above 90 dBs when hands are present. (None of the above.)

Low Cost hand dryers:
If cost is your number one concern, look at these two hand dryers which are great values:

• Electric-Aire LE hand dryers
• Nova 1 hand dryer

Plug-in hand dryers
Having a plug-in hand dryer can be very convenient and a big cost saver. You will not need an electrician to mount the hand dryer for you and you can use an existing wall socket. In the US, there is only one plug-in hand dryer that I know of that is also a UL certified hand dryer (in the plug-in configuration) and that is the Nova 1 plug in hand dryer, model 0833.

It’s fairly easy to add a plug and cord to a 115 volt hand dryer and you can purchase almost any model in a plug-in version from some vendors. If you are buying a plug-in hand dryer other than the Nova 1, you should check to see if the manufacturer’s warranty and the UL certification are still valid if the dryer was altered outside of the factory. When the Nova 1 plug-in hand dryer was developed, special precautions were made so that the dryer would be considered safer and qualify for UL approval.

Hand Sanitizers for Protection from the Swine Flu

What is the most economical way to protect yourself and others from the swine flu and many of the other communicable diseases out there?

1. Purchase a bulk-fill automatic / no-touch soap dispenser / hand sanitizer.
   
2. Mount it on the wall in your public area.
   
3. Go to your local drug store, Wal*Mart, etc and purchase hand sanitizer lotion (alcohol or alcohol-free)
4. Fill your hand sanitizer
5. Use it frequently.

Why should you purchase an automatic hand sanitizer? If it is automatic, it will not be touched by the user, leading to less opportunity for spreading disease. This is the most hygienic way to dispense soap or hand sanitizer.

Why should it be bulk-fill? This gives you the maximum flexibility and cost savings. If it is bulk fill, that means you do not have to purchase the hand sanitizer in a bag or box but can pour in the most economical or convenient hand sanitizer that you can find.

Be careful, though. Not all automatic soap dispensers can handle the viscosity of a hand sanitizer in their system. You need to make sure that you purchase one that is robust enough to dispense a thick hand sanitizer.

I recommend the Fast Dry Automatic Soap Dispensers as the best for this task. Choose from the less expensive plastic cover version, the HK-950DA Hand Sanitizer or the more attractive and easier to clean stainless steel hand sanitizer. The HK-RSD01 Hand Sanitizer.

Hand Dryer Cover Options - A Guide

HAND DRYER COVER MATERIAL OPTIONS - WHICH IS RIGHT FOR YOU?

Cast Iron
There was a time when all hand dryers used cast iron covers. More specifically, they were cast iron with a porcelain enamel coating. This configuration was established as the restroom standard by the toilet, sink and tub manufacturers. The ¼” thick cast iron is incredibly durable. It is literally bullet proof. At World Dryer Corporation, they have a flattened bullet on display that proves this statement.

The porcelain enamel is almost scratch-proof. The porcelain enamel, cast iron cover is therefore perfect for any setting where vandalism is a problem. Since the restroom is a private, unmonitored location, vandalism is certainly a problem for many of our customers and this is the best solution for them.

But there are some problems that come with a cast iron cover. While it is very tough once it is up on the wall, it can also be very fragile in transit. The cover can shatter if it is dropped just right. During transit, the enamel can chip off (“released enamel”) or it might wear down on the friction points so that the cast iron beneath is exposed.

The manufacturing of cast iron covers is very tricky and usually performed at a foundry that does not specialize in hand dryers. In many instances, when the iron is poured into the mold or casting, the end result is a bumpy, pock-marked surface. If this surface is too bumpy, the enamel will not adhere properly to it, leading to increased chipping. Or, when the porcelain enamel is applied to the iron, the imperfections in the surface are compounded, leaving a wavy surface. While this wavy surface may perform its function perfectly well, it may be rejected on account of its looks. There are some ways to improve these imperfections including touching the covers up by hand, but all of them add costs to the cast iron option.

There are two processes for applying the porcelain enamel to the cast iron cover – a wet process and a dry process. In the wet process, wet paint is poured over the cover. This creates a thicker, stronger coating. The downside is that it is more likely to come out wavier. In the dry process, a dry paint is applied. This creates a nice, smooth finish that is better looking, but more likely to wear through to the iron underneath. There are also various techniques for molding the cast iron. Ones that use greater pressure provide a smoother cover, but are more expensive to tool and operate.

Notes of caution:
The standard in the industry for cast iron is ¼ inch thick (25mm). There are some dryers that use thinner cast iron. These may be fine depending on the workmanship, but a thinner cast iron is more likely to experience problems. I would recommend sticking with the heavier, thicker cast iron covers for maximum durability.

Some manufactures will refer to “cast metal” or just “cast.” If it is not “cast iron”, it does not meet a cast iron specification. It is probably not as strong and durable as cast iron and certainly not as expensive.

Drawn Steel
Steel is also very strong. It is less expensive than cast iron and also lighter. If you are in a high-vandal area, I would recommend cast iron, otherwise, feel free to use steel. It’s not bullet-proof, but most restrooms don’t see a lot of gun fighting anyway.

Drawn steel covers are stamped. The heavy tool shaped like the cover stamps down on a flat piece of steel and the shape is created. The edges are then cut off and smoothed down. This is different than a cast process, where the metal is poured into a mold and cooled.

Some steel covers (like the Nova 2) have the porcelain enamel coating like cast iron, but many are simply painted. Porcelain enamel is much more scratch resistant than paint and paint is more likely to fade over time than an enamel.

Stainless Steel
Stainless steel makes for some of the nicest and most durable dryers. Stainless comes in two basic configurations: polished (or mirror) and brushed (or satin). Polished stainless is beautiful, but many people prefer brushed because brushed will not show scratches, finger prints or other imperfections as readily.

Stainless is not bullet-proof like cast iron. However, some customers say that vandals are more likely to leave stainless alone than they are cast iron, so stainless is their top vandal-resistant choice.

Stainless also cleans up very nicely and is the best choice for keeping a spotless, shin restroom.

Good, 304 grade stainless steel is very expensive. If you think you got a great deal on a stainless dryer, check to make sure that you have true 304-grade and not an inferior grade that is more likely to rust. A chrome covered dryer can look like stainless (it may even have fewer imperfections), but it is just a coating that covers another material, and it will not last as long as stainless. One way to check for stainless steel is to put a magnet on the dryer to make sure it sticks.

Die-cast aluminum
Aluminum is the lightest of the metals that we use for hand dryer covers. This creates dryers that are easier to place on any wall, saves on shipping costs, and is less expensive. Aluminum is easier to dent than steel, but it is still pretty tough and it creates a nice smooth surface that is easy to paint.








Zinc
Zinc is heavier than aluminum. It is more malleable and porous and, less brittle. Aluminum has replaced zinc in many instances as it is a metal that is easier to work and has become less expensive in recent years.

BMC – Bulk Molded Compound
A BMC is a thermoset polymer. It is originally mixed in a powder form. A cake is made and then the cake is set in a mold into the shape of the dryer cover. It is not plastic and is much more resistant to high temperatures since it does not melt like plastic does. BMC is very strong and used in a number of aerospace and automotive applications where light-weight, heat-resistance and weight are important.

BMC covers stay looking great for a very long time. Since the color is integral to the material (no layer of paint to scratch off) light scratches can be buffed out. The can be mixed into any color. They are light, and they will never rust! World Dryer’s BMC cover is called WorldStone and has an anti-microbial agent mixed into it as an additional benefit. Excel™ Dryers also recently came out with a BMC cover for their Xlerator™.

While metal covers are still more popular than BMC covers, BMC has lot of nice attributes, and they are worth a consideration.

ABS Plastic
Plastic is really not tough enough to protect a hand dryer from vandalism that is common in many restrooms. Where vandalism is not a concern, a plastic cover may be appropriate as a way to save on cost, but it is still possible that the cover will be damaged at some point during its life.

Very low cost dryers almost exclusively use plastic covers. Most of these dryers are not as high in quality as others that us metal covers. But decent dryers sometimes use plastic to keep the cost down. One positive feature is that a chrome finish can be applied nicely to a plastic cover, making it look more like metal. The PHS Ultra Dry™ Drier, for example, uses this technique.

For more information on hand dryers please go to RestroomDirect.com in the US or Bavada.com in Europe.

Hand Dryers Automatic versus Push Button

Question: Which is better, a push button or automatic hand dryer?

Conclusion: Automatic dryers are better, but more expensive.

In the old days, there were no choices. If you wanted a hand dryer (or hand drier, depending on where you live), you got a push button, cast iron dryer, and it did the job. In the 1980’s, hand dryers began appearing in automatic versions, with infra-red sensors that detected the presence of hands under the dryer’s nozzle.

The advantages of automatic dryers are obvious. The first is hygienic. You don’t have to touch an automatic hand dryer, reducing the possible spread of germs that could be left on the dryer. The second is energy savings. You only use the dryer for as long as you need it. Many timers are set for 30 seconds. But the user may choose to leave after only 10 seconds of drying, wasting the energy used for the rest of the cycle. On the other hand, another user may dry his hands for 35 seconds, wasting almost an entire second push of the button.

With these obvious advantages, you would think that all new hand dryers would be automatic. Yet we still see a large portion of our sales are still push button. Why are people still purchasing push button hand driers?

For one thing, many of the specifications out there are left over from years ago, when hand driers came in only one flavor. Push button may have worked for you in the past and you don’t see any reason to change that now.

Secondly, there is a perception that mechanical push button dryers are more durable and easier to fix than electronic sensors. When sensors first were introduced they were less reliable than the tried and push-button timers. The eyes could be either too sensitive, going off simply by the reflection of light against the surface below (a problem known as “ghosting”), or not sensitive enough, not activating the dryer at all. (You may have a particularly bright environment that is not friendly to an electronic sensor.)

The first generation of sensors also had short life spans and needed to be replaced too frequently.

However, as electronic technology has improved, these problems are no longer so prevalent and sensors and their circuit boards can now be some of the most reliable components in the dryer.

It is possible to encounter some problems with sensors, but mechanical push button timers can also have problems with the timer or the push button itself. In either case, a simple fix is usually available by replacing a couple parts.

In my experience, sensors, which have fewer moving parts, and more reliable than push buttons. The sensor usually costs more, however, so you may pay more for your automatic dryer than you will for your pushbutton dryer, (but you may be able to make up the difference in energy savings).

In the end, I feel that the convenience and hygiene of and automatic dryer is well worth it, and I would always recommend purchasing automatic over push button. No one these days wants to touch anything in the restroom and I particularly dislike banging those buttons.

As new dryers are designed, you will notice that they are only being designed with automatic versions. Eventually, there will be no more push button hand dryers. For the time being though, they are still popular and you may find for whatever reason, that they are right for your application.

For more information on hand dryers, see this post and others at RestroomDirect.com. In Europe, look for Bavada.com.