The way to select the Right Bathroom Vent Fan

Excess moisture in the home can contribute to a multitide of difficulties, from peeling, damaged finishes to mold and mildew development. Bathrooms are particularly susceptible to these problems thanks to frequent baths, showers and sink use. Luckily, a simple ventilation fan can draw excess moisture from your bathroom to shield your paint and flooring and depart from your mirror with no fog.

Size Your Soul for Your Toilet

Fan sizing represents one of the most important considerations when selecting bathroom vent fan. A fan that is too little will do little to eliminate moisture; one that is too large might be too noisy and ineffective. To evaluate vent fan sizing, then start looking for the number of cubic feet per minute (CFM) the fan is capable of moving. Larger bathrooms will require a higher CFM rating, while smaller bathrooms can be suitably ventilated using a fan with a lower CFM rating. The Kansas State University Engineering Extension recommends calculating the CFM rating to your vent fan by multiplying the volume of the bathroom by 0.13. To find volume, multiply the length times the width times the ceiling height of the room, then multiply from 0.13 to find the suggested CFM to your bathroom fan.

Check Noise Ratings

1 common complaint about bathroom fans relates to the noise that fans make when they operate. According to the Kansas State University Engineering Extension, noise levels created by means of an exhaust fan could be quantified utilizing the sone rating, which ranges from 1 to 7. The quietest fans arrive with a sone rating of 1, while people who have a score of 7 will likely sound much louder. Once you’ve determined the correct size to the vent fan, compare the sone score for various models within this dimension to choose the ideal unit for the bathroom.

Compare Control Systems

The easiest bathroom vent fans arrive with an “On-Off” switch. To remove more moisture in the bathroom, start looking for units with a delayed shutoff switch so that the fan keeps running for at least 15 minutes once you have left the bathroom. For increased flexibility and control, choose units with programmable humidistats or timers. Fans equipped with motion sensors can also be helpful if you have children or relatives who may forget to use the fan whilst showering or bathing.

Look for Extra Features

Since many bathroom vent fans are made simply for ventilation, others arrive with built-in lights or even heat components. If you require more lighting in your bathroom, a fan with a built-in light allows you to combine two functions to a single appliance. Fans with heaters can warm up your bathroom if you don’t have central heating, or assist to supplement your central furnace or boiler on cold winter days.

Contemplate Maintenance Requirements and Accessibility

The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation recommends cleaning your vent lover each season. Standard fans with grilles that can be pulled down or removed for cleaning would be the simplest to maintain, while fans made for installation within duct runs (inline fans) could be more challenging to access. Check the installation conditions for each fan to determine maintenance accessibility prior to buying.

See related