Improve Your Health and Home with a Bathroom Fan!

Bathroom fans are an integral part of your home's ventilation system. They improve air quality by removing odors, but also eliminate moisture and decrease humidity levels. This prevents damage to building materials and also stops mold and mildew growth. Learn how to choose and install a bathroom fan below:

What is a Bathroom Fan?

Simply put, a bathroom fan is a type of exhaust fan that is installed in your bathroom. It is considered a type of spot ventilation system because it is used to control local pollution sources. Bathroom exhaust fans collect and remove pollutants before they spread, and they are generally turned on before or when the source is producing noxious pollutants. Seeing as bathrooms contain obvious sources of moisture and odors, bathroom exhaust fans are the ideal solution to these problems. Furthermore, installing a bathroom fan will also help eliminate fogged-up mirrors and steamy windows. But even more importantly, they prevent moisture-related problems such as mildew and mold growth.

In terms of design, there are several types of bathroom fans available; some simple, some more elaborate with built-in heaters, lights, and timer switches. Bathroom exhaust fans are usually designed to be mounted onto the ceiling, but some can mounted to the walls as well. With that said, bathroom exhaust fans will need to be vented, and there are generally two ways ductwork can be routed so that bathroom air is vented outside: through the ceiling and out through an exterior wall, or through the ceiling and out through a room. Bathroom fans mounted onto a wall will need to be vented directly through a wall.

What are the Benefits of a Bathroom Exhaust Fan?

Normal household activities such as cooking and bathing can significantly raise your indoor humidity levels. In fact, studies have shown that the typical family of four converts three gallons of water into water vapor every day, and it only requires four to six pints of water to raise the indoor relatively humidity of a 1,000 square foot home from 40 to 60 percent. In turn, this excess moisture is a complex problem that can cause a number of undesirable conditions such as the following:

Mold or mildew growth on walls and ceilings
Damp spots on walls and ceilings
Condensation, ice, or frost on the inside of windows
Peeling paint
Sweating water pipes

Therefore, proper ventilation protects your home, and when it comes to your bathroom, ventilation is especially important due to excess moisture. Furthermore, because bathroom exhaust fans assist in the prevention of mildew and mold growth, they can alleviate or even prevent allergic reactions and asthma. As well, in colder climates, bathroom exhaust fans can even be used as part of a strategy to provide whole-house ventilation.

Choosing the Right Bathroom Fan

When it comes to bathroom fans, there are many choices available and choosing one can seem like a daunting task. If you're in the market for a bathroom exhaust fan, follow these helpful tips:

Correctly estimate the air-moving capacity you will need. The Home Ventilation Institute states that a bathroom fan should have the airflow of one cubic foot per minute (CFM) for every square foot of bathroom area up to 100 square feet. If your bathroom is larger than 100 square feet, add 50 CFM for each shower, toilet, or bathroom present, and 100 CFM for a large whirlpool tub. Also keep in mind that an extra-large bathroom will require two fans; not one large one. For example, if your bathroom measure 70 square feet, you will need a bathroom fan with at least 70 CFM.

Pay attention to noise levels. Bathroom fans can be whisper-quiet or can noticeably hum. They are usually rated in sones, which represents how people perceive loudness. Fans that are relatively quiet will be in the 0.5 to 1.2 sones range, while the noisiest fans will be around 4 sones.

Decide which features you need. Many bathroom exhaust fans are multi-functional, and ceiling lights are the most common add-on. Other features include built-in heaters and timers.

Installing a Bathroom Fan

Installing a bathroom exhaust fan usually isn't too difficult, but always follow the manufacturer's instructions. Nevertheless, here are some basic steps you'll need to take in order to install your bathroom exhaust fan:

1. Turn off the power to the existing fixture at the service panel and remove it. Position the template or housing on the ceiling and trace around it to locate the opening. If you access from above, you can also position the housing or template next to the joist and trace around it.

2. Cut the opening according to the manufacturer's instructions using a saber saw, drywall saw, or utility knife.

3. Attach the ductwork and insert the housing into the opening you created. Secure the housing with the provided fasteners, and don't forget to fill the mounting holes with fasteners in order to reduce noise and vibration.

4. Make sure the electrical circuit is turned off and connect the fan to the existing wire.

5. Attach the fixture to the housing and attach the grill to the fixture.

6. If applicable, screw in a light bulb and attach the diffuser. Lastly, apply silicone caulk around the perimeter of the cap and slide it into the opening. Fasten this cap with galvanized screws, connect the ductwork, and test your system.

Five Reasons Why You Should Purchase a Bathroom Fan:

1. Improves Air Quality: Bathrooms are a source of odors. A bathroom fan is a type of spot ventilation system because it is used to control local pollution sources and helps eliminate these noxious odors before they spread.

2. Prevent Mold and Mildew Growth: Bathroom ventilation fans help remove moisture and condensation that is created in the bath and shower. As a result, this prevents mold and mildew growth.

3. Improves Health: Because bathroom fans eliminate mold and mildew, this prevents exacerbated allergy or asthma systems.

4. Multi-Functional: Although there are several no-frills bathroom fans available, the most popular units offer built in lights, heaters, and timer switches so that you get several appliances in one.

5. Protects Your Bathroom Interior: By pushing air out of a bathroom, exhaust fans alleviate foggy mirrors, dripping windows, and take care of excess moisture. Over time, this prevents damage to your bathroom interior such as rotting drywall and peeling paint and wallpaper.

See Bathroom Exhaust Fans

Electric Fan Buying Guide Main Page