Fairmont Hotel

Significant cost saving compared to paper towels

XLERATOR dries hands three times faster (completely in 10 seconds)* and uses 80 percent less energy than conventional hand dryers. XLERATOR represents a 95 percent cost savings when compared to paper towels, reduces the need for labor and maintenance and eliminates their waste while improving washroom hygiene.

“It was really very simple. Our sustainability team leaders read an article in 2007 or 2008 about the environmental and cost savings XLERATOR hand dryers provide and reached out to Excel Dryer immediately. The high speed, energy efficient XLERATOR hand dryers not only aligned with our sustainability goals, but also offer a significant cost saving compared to paper towels,” said Sweitzer.

Pounds and 'sense'

According to Sweitzer, the biggest impact the XLERATOR had on Fairmont Chicago was its return on investment. She added that the cost savings dictated their decision to outfit their washrooms with the hand dryers. “It’s a dollars and ‘sense’ thing,” she said. “The return on investment was so impressive. Plus XLERATOR hand dryers help us to significantly reduce our carbon footprint. We are trying to do the right thing here, and our guests are too. It was an easy decision to make and we have even noticed that guests are starting to seek out hotels that are environmentally-friendly.”

Blowing away hotel guests

The XLERATOR hand dryer is more than just a sustainable solution. It offers visitors a more hygienic way to dry hands. “The sensor-activated technology provides our guests with a touch-free experience which reduces the spread of germs and prevents messes of overflowing trash bins that breed bacteria,” said Sweitzer. “There is nothing that looks less tidy than an overflowing bin of paper towels. We don’t have that.”

XLERATOR hand dryers not only significantly reduce waste, but also the labor and maintenance associated with paper towels. The Fairmont Chicago has been able to reduce the number of attendants needed to maintain washrooms to the luxury hotel standard, without sacrificing a luxury experience. “XLERATOR highspeed, energy-efficient hand dryers are the new industry standard,” said William Gagnon, Vice President of Marketing at Excel Dryer. “We share a goal with our customers in the hospitality industry to improve the user experience, which is why XLERATOR hand dryers are the top-performing and most reliable hand dryers the industry has to offer.”

XLERATOR has been a reliable staple of the hotel’s washrooms for the last five years. “I have never seen one with an ‘out of order’ sign, although we did have one that required replacement a few years back. But Excel Dryer was great about working with us on that,” said Sweitzer. “We receive no complaints from our guests. They work.” She added that the sleek and attractive look of the hand dryers – in stainless steel – adds to the aesthetics of the hotel. “XLERATOR goes with the look and style of our luxury design. It flows; it’s natural. It doesn’t appear to be just thrown on the wall.”

Although Fairmont Chicago still has the option of paper towels in their bathrooms, they use messaging on both the XLERATOR hand dryers and paper towel dispensers to alert guests about the eco-friendly, hygienic alternative to paper towels. “People are inherently curious about the message we have on our XLERATOR. We’ve noticed that if we can get them over to read the messaging on the hand dryer, they will use it while reading. It sounds basic, yet it’s effective.”

The ‘green’ seal of approval

The Fairmont Chicago has received Green Seal Silver Certification for its efforts to reduce the impact on the environment by adopting sustainable technology such as XLERATOR high speed, energy efficient hand dryers. To address the waste management issue, Fairmont Chicago identified a number of eco-friendly opportunities to reduce and divert waste that also contributed to the certification. The hotel installed a microorganism digester to minimize food waste disposal, integrated a non-toxic pest-management program to eliminate toxic chemicals including phosphates and chlorine, and implemented a purchase program including Energy Star, post-consumer waste content and recycled or reusable packaging.

“Sustainability is more than just a trend,” said Gagnon. “As all facilities are looking for green and cost-saving initiatives, the installation of XLERATOR hand dryers accomplishes both.” Excel Dryer continues to innovate new technology for a growing demand including the new XLERATOReco high speed, energy efficient hand dryer.

XLERATOReco uses new “no heat” technology to dry hands in 12 seconds* using only 500 watts, making it the most energy efficient and environmentally friendly hand dryer on the planet. XLERATOReco sets another new industry standard in green innovation and sustainability. Drawing four and a half amps or less, multiple XLERATOReco units can be installed on one circuit, which significantly reduces installation time and costs. Additionally, XLERATOReco significantly reduces a facility’s carbon footprint up to 70% (even versus 100% recycled paper towels), helping facilities qualify for several LEED® v4 Credits and Green Globes to achieve corporate or government sustainability goals.

XLERATOR and XLERATOReco are also available with several options and the industry’s most complete line of accessories including an adjustable speed and sound control for sound-sensitive areas, a HEPA Filtration System, an ADA compliant Recess Kit, the XChanger® Combo Kit – an ADA-compliant paper towel dispenser retrofit kit, MICROBAN® anti-microbial Wall Guards, and custom digital image covers adopted by several companies and organizations including the USGBC’s Center for Green Schools Green Apple program, the New England Patriots, Dunkin’ Donuts, Coca-Cola and many more.