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You are here: Knowledge Base > Bobrick Techincal Bulletins
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TB-15 THE COST OF PAPER TOWELS VS. HAND DRYERS Last Updated: 01/21/2008 |
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Bobrick Hand Dryers: 1) Bobrick Hand Dryers draw 2300 watts (2.3 kW) of electricity while operating and have a 30-second drying cycle. 2) 1 hour of operation = 30 seconds per drying cycle x 120 drying cycles. 3) 1 hour x 2.3 kW = 2.3 kWh. 4) 2.3 kWh x 7 cents/kWh* = 16 cents. 5) 16 cents ÷ 120 drying cycles = 0.13 cents per drying cycle. Multifold Paper Towels: 1) Average number of paper towels used per hand dry is 2.5 towels. 2) A typical case of 2,400 Multifold paper towels cost an average of $25.00. 3) 2,400 paper towels per case ÷ 2.5 paper towels per hand dry = 960 hand drys per case. 4) $25.00 per case ÷ 960 hand drys per case = 3 cents per hand dry. *Source: Los Angeles County Industrial/Commercial Rate A1(less than 30 kW usage per month) as of February 2000. Further costs of using paper towels include labor to fill dispenser and empty waste receptacles, storage and insurance for paper supply, costs of hauling away waste paper, and the hazards of fire and of plumbing stoppage. To calculate your annual savings realized by using Bobrick hand dryers instead of paper towels: Use the previous year's towel purchase records, and electricity bill to calculate the following: 1. ____ cases of towels x ___ (count) per case = ___ (total towels) ÷ 2.5 towels per dry = number of hand drys. 2. $ ____ per kWh x 2.3 kWh = $ ___ per hour ÷ 120 drys per hour = $ ___ dryer cost per hand dry. 3. ____ annual number of hand drys (#1) x $ ___ dryer cost per hand dry = $ ____ annual dryer operating cost. When making the comparison, include the cost of paper towel storage as well as the labor required to fill dispensers, 4. ____ (count) washrooms x 10 minutes x operating days per year * ÷ 60 minutes per hour x $ ___ labor costs per hour for maintenance personnel = direct labor cost.empty waste receptacles, dispose of waste, and purchase towels. If precise records are not available, assume that each washroom requires 10 minutes daily to maintain towel supply and use the following formula to make estimate. * Office buildings or factories normally operate 250 workdays per year; the operating days of schools, theaters, or restaurants may vary. Add towel cost, direct labor to maintain towels, estimated cost of towel and waste handling, then deduct the annual operating cost of dryers. The difference is your savings every year. See attached bulletin for examples and graphs
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