Savortex hand dryer blows its way to world record

Guinness World Records has certified the first-ever world record to be achieved by a hand-dryer.

The Vortex 550 EcoSmart, created by British manufacturer SAVORTEX, has achieved the world record for theMost pairs of hands dried using 30 kJ of energy.

This record was developed as a challenge to measure the energy efficient performance of hand dryers.

To verify the record, Guinness World Records required participants' hands to be submerged in water and immediately placed under the hand dryer. The energy efficiency challenge required hands to be sufficiently dry, which was measured when the moisture level was less than 40% on all areas of the hand.

The Vortex 550 EcoSmart successfully dried four pairs of hands using less than 30kJ of energy. Typically, hand dryers use between 70kJ and 90kJ of power to dry just one pair of hands.

The Vortex 550 EcoSmart achieved its record using unique patented technology recovers energy while in operation and uses a compression process to generate warm air without heating elements. The British designed-and-made hand dryer claims to be the lowest carbon emission hand-dryer in the world and SAVORTEX says it is able to dry 40 pairs of hands at a cost of one pence in electricity.

Other existing efficiency records held by Guinness World Records include:

• Longest lasting AA alkaline batteryis Panasonic's EVOLTA which outperformed the batteries of other leading manufacturers by between 10% and 30% in January 2008
• Most fuel efficient vehicle is the PAC-Car II which can travel 100km on 0.01857 litres of petrol, and was created by the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology for the Shell Eco Marathon on 26 ^th June 2005
• Most energy efficient supermarket­is J Sainsbury in Greenwich, London which has, since its launch in 1999, had a utilities bill which is 50% less than typical supermarkets of equivalent size. Its energy efficiency is achieved through ground submersion to give natural insulation, natural lighting sources and wind-generated power

Commenting on the new Guinness World Records title, Marco Frigatti, Head of Records, said: "Guinness World Records is continually innovating on the record titles that we recognize and we, like consumers and businesses around the world, are focused on sustainability and efficiency. This title tests the energy efficiency of hand dryers and reflects that advancing technology within the market. Guinness World Records aims to continue to expand the range of energy efficiency world records that we recognise."