This article, the second part of the great ‘Hand Dryer Vs Paper towels’ debate, looks at the cost element. If you haven't read the introduction, click here. For many people, this is the overriding reason for choosing one over the other, and is certainly the criterion that hand dryer manufacturers love to talk about. But is it as strong an argument as they make out?

Firstly, let me say that several hand dryer manufacturers have created their own calculators or cost illustrations, and some of them are extremely detailed. I have drawn on several of them, but I am trying not to be too anal about these calculations – the objective is to come up with a general opinion rather than any exact figures.

To start, let’s split this into the 2 most obvious areas: purchase price and running cost.

Purchase Price - Hand Dryers and Paper Towels

In today’s highly competitive market, you can get hold of a high-quality, efficient hand dryer which does a good job of drying hands quickly, for around the £200

Do I Really Need to Change the Filter on My Zip Boiling Water Tap?

Boiling-water taps have become a staple in modern office kitchens, and Zip is one of the most trusted names in the game: they are certainly the most popular brand when it comes to office kitchens. But once the system is installed and working beautifully, the inevitable question arrives: Do I really need to change the filter? And, more to the point, do I need to buy the expensive Zip-branded replacement, or can I use a cheaper alternative like the EDD filters?

The short answer is yes — you absolutely need to change the filter. But the longer answer is more interesting, especially when you factor in cost, performance, and what actually happens inside the tap. Over time, this can lead to slow heating, reduced flow, and even system failure.

The filter is the tap’s first line of defence. It removes hardness minerals before they ever reach the boiler, dramatically extending the lifespan of the unit.

Even if you’re only using

How Does A Heat Pump Work?

A heat pump moves heat from one place to another by using a small amount of electricity. There are a few types: 

• Air source can take heat from the air 
• Ground source takes heat from the ground 
• Water source draws heat from nearby water, such as lakes, rivers, or reservoirs. 

The most common type, the air source heat pump, pulls warmth from the outside air (even when it's cold) and uses that heat to warm your home or water. 

How It Produces Hot Water

To make hot water, the heat pump connects to a hot water cylinder. It extracts heat from the air, ground, or water, and transfers it to a special refrigerant. This refrigerant warms up