Dyson Introduces Airblade Wash+Dry

Building on the company’s existing Airblade hand dryer technology, this new product combines wash and dry capabilities, and quieter operation.

Dyson has introduced its new Dyson Airblade Wash+Dry hand dryer, a commercial restroom fixture that provides users the ability to wash and dry in one place. In 2006, Dyson engineers innovated hand drying methods, with the invention of Airblade™ hand dryer technology. hand dryerBut even with an efficient hand dryer, water dripping on the washroom floor can be a concern, as can excessive sound. With these challenges in mind, Dyson engineers set out to re-engineer the existing Dyson Airblade Tap hand dryer, to reduce loudness while maintaining a fast dry time. The new Airblade Wash+Dry operates up to 39% quieter than its predecessor(1) .

hand dryer
The new Dyson Airblade Wash+Dry hand dryer

The result is the new Airblade Wash+Dry hand dryer, a single touchless unit that combines a tap and a hand dryer, drying hands in 14 seconds with HEPA-filtered air(2). The multi-functional design helps to save space in restrooms and reduces the incidence of water dripping on the floor as users move from a hand washing area to a separate drying station.

Dyson engineers achieved the sound reduction by re-tuning the Dyson digital motor V4 — which powers all Dyson Airblade hand dryers. The re-tuned 1000W motor draws in less air overall, reducing the sound generated by turbulence and air moving quickly through narrow spaces. Dyson engineers also optimized slot blade geometry, reducing the air apertures from 0.8mm to 0.55mm to maintain high air velocity at exit, despite the reduced volume of air passing through the machine. The re-engineered air apertures are also
shaped to help reduce the sound associated with high pressure air mixing with lower pressure ambient air. Lastly, a Helmholtz cavity inside the motor bucket cancels out high-pitched motor tones and improves sound quality.

Meanwhile, the new Dyson Airblade Wash+Dry hand dryer produces 3.6g of carbon dioxide per dry, compared to its predecessor’s 4g. The company asserts that Dyson Airblade™ hand dryers produce up to 79% less carbon dioxide than paper towels and some other hand dryers.(3)

The Dyson Airblade Wash+Dry hand dryer’s flow is 0.5 g/min (1.9 l/min) compared to its predecessor’s 1.0 g/min (4 l/min)(4). The water only activates when a user’s hands are underneath.

The Dyson Airblade Wash+Dry hand dryer is available in Short, Tall, and Wall variants. All Dyson Airblade hand dryers have HEPA filters that capture 99.97% of particles as small as 0.3 microns from the washroom air. The product comes with a five year limited warranty and is certified by Quiet Mark, tested and approved by the UK-based Noise Abatement Society.

(1) Average loudness (measured in sonos) reduction compared to Dyson Airblade Tap hand dryers and depending upon variant: Short 33%; Tall 39 %; Wall 34%.

(2) Dry time determined using Dyson test method 769 based on NSF P335 to a measurement of 0.1g residual moisture

(3) The environmental impact of electrical appliances and paper towels was measured by Carbon Trust. The calculations were produced using the software Footprint Expert Pro, based on product use over 5 years and using weighted averages of individual countries of use. Dry times for product were evaluated using DTM 769.

(4) Reduction in water compares 1.0 g/min (4 l/min) aerator fitted as standard to the Dyson Airblade Tap hand dryer to 0.5g/min (1.9l/min) aerator fitted to the Dyson Airblade Wash+Dry hand dryer.