We have all seen those Dyson hand dryers in public toilets, but personally I’ve always wondered if people have ever actually installed one in their own bathroom. I don’t think I would, because they’re pretty big but a new version has just been released that made me curious again. It’s called the Dyson Airblade 9kJ, and it’s certainly a sleek unit.
Dyson claim it is the fastest, most energy efficient HEPA-filtered hand dryer. The new design allows users to dry their hands quicker than ever in just 10 seconds on Max Mode, without having to waste paper sheets.
Jake Dyson, Chief Engineer said. “At Dyson we believe hand drying should be fast, hygienic and responsible in its energy use. We solved many of these problems when we disrupted the industry with the launch of the first Dyson Airblade in 2006,”
“We continue to pioneer with the Dyson Airblade 9kJ – our latest hand drying technology. From the acoustics to its design, everything has been rethought to deliver the best performance without any compromise on user experience or hygiene.”
The Dyson Airblade 9kJ was developed and designed over three years, with up to 700 prototypes made.
The motor and airflow technology allows the unit to use up to 87 per cent less energy than warm air dryers in Eco mode, plus 85 per cent less carbon dioxide emissions per dry than paper towels.
“It is the instinct of engineers to want to improve things, make them more efficient and to use fewer resources in the process. It is wired into our DNA and it is this urge which drives progress and advancement – even in the washroom,” explains James Dyson. “In 1907, paper towels were first introduced and the electric hand dryer made its first appearance in 1948 – but both have their failings. The journey to find a better way is fascinating. In 2006 the invention of Dyson Airblade™ technology meant that, for the first time, water was scraped off hands using high velocity unheated air, thus reducing the energy consumption,” Jake Dyson added.
It’s powered by the Dyson digital motor V4, which spins at up to an epic 75000rpm. As you can see there’s two curved handle style blades that follow the contours of your hands, removing water in less time. In fact it can blow 23 litres of air per second!
Dyson claim the Airblade 9kJ hand dryer uses 9.1 kilojoules of energy per dry, averaging out to $19 a year to run in Eco mode.
It ain’t cheap at $1,590 and will mostly find homes in commercial or public washroom, from offices, shopping malls and restaurants, to public spaces, amusement parks, schools, hospitals and hotels. But would you put one in your bathroom?
I would, if I could.
