Exhaust fan in the bathroom
The content of the article
Why is there a fan in the bathroom?
When caring for clean and fresh air in the apartment, we first of all think about the living rooms and the kitchen. But having started to deal with the problem of ventilation, we understand that constant ventilation of bathrooms is no less important.
After all, these areas are places of high humidity. Excessive humidity can lead not only to corrosion of metal objects, but also to the formation of fungus and mold.
Unfortunately, ventilation risers cannot solve this problem. Especially if it is clogged or has not been cleaned for a long time. The reason for this is the draft, which is too small or absent at all, and therefore no air circulation occurs.
Important! You can check the draft in the bathroom yourself.To do this, you need to light a candle or just a match and place it in the ventilation grill. In the absence of draft, the flame is held evenly, without fluctuations or deviations to the sides.
A fan installed in the bathroom ventilation opening will solve this problem. It will be able to increase draft, which provides the necessary ventilation and drying of the room.
Types of fans that can be used for bathroom exhaust
Modern industry produces a wide variety of fans suitable for installation in the bathroom. They can be classified according to several criteria.
Fan location (overhead or duct)
When installing a fan in the bathroom, use one of the methods for its location. You can mount the device on the wall (such structures are called invoices). This method is attractive due to its ease of installation, but requires connecting the mechanism to the opening of the ventilation shaft with a special air duct.
In another method, the fan is mounted inside the ventilation duct, which is why they are called channel.
Mounting location (ceiling, roof, wall)
Overhead fans can be attached to the ceiling, on a wall or even on the roof of a building, so there are 3 types of devices based on the mounting location: ceiling, wall-mounted, roof.
Typically, in bathrooms located in apartments of multi-storey buildings, a ceiling system is installed in the duct, and wall-mounted devices are used as overhead devices on the wall. Roofs are used in the attics of one- or two-story houses or cottages.
The mounting location does not affect the quality and result of the work; the specific choice is made taking into account interior solutions.
Operating principle (blade or centrifugal)
Ventilation structures work in different ways.
IN lobed the movement of air masses occurs due to the work of existing blades or vanes. Blade models are divided into 2 groups: axial and radial.
The movement of air due to the internal centrifugal force of the mechanism occurs in centrifugal devices.
Actuation (mechanical or automatic)
The buyer can determine which option for turning on the ventilation is more convenient. Device with mechanical switching on can be activated by pressing a special button. Or you can combine turning on the device with turning on the light in the bathroom.
Manufacturers also offer devices with automatic turning on. This was made possible through the use of special sensors. They are tuned to different reactions and independently signal to turn on if it becomes too humid or smoky.
Additional features
A hygrometer capable of independently measuring and controlling the level of humidity, as well as sensors for automatically starting operation, give ventilation systems additional capabilities.
In addition, there are designs equipped with a timer. It allows you to set the time during which the fan will run. A motion-sensitive sensor allows the structure to turn on automatically when a person enters the bathroom or toilet.
Bathroom fan selection options
The variety and variety of fans that can be installed in the bathroom provide consumers with great options, but make it difficult to choose a specific device. To avoid making a mistake with your purchase, you should consider the following indicators.
Air exchange rate
The main characteristic of the mechanism is the volume of replaced air. The instructions indicate what the capabilities of the device are. This data must be compared with the needs of a specific bathroom. This indicator is calculated individually for each home.
Important! The optimal rate of air changes in the bathroom is 8, and if the bathroom is combined with a toilet - 10.
Calculating the required performance is easy. To do this, the number of air changes (8 or 10) is multiplied by the area of the bathroom (or toilet), and then multiplied by 6 (if the bathroom is used by a family of up to 3 people) or 8 (if there are more than 3 residents).
Advice! Having calculated the required need using the specified formula, choose a device whose performance is slightly higher than the result obtained. In this case, the purchased bathroom exhaust fan will not be too weak, and will not cool the room with too much power.
Noise produced
The most suitable device for everyday use is considered to be a device that not only ventilates the room well, but also does it without annoying noise. Therefore, when purchasing, you need to pay attention to the noise level that occurs during operation. The most comfortable device is considered to be noise from 20 to 25 dB, acceptable - up to 40 dB. If the system is louder, the noise becomes annoying.
Power consumption
An equally important quality characteristic is power consumption. The lower it is, the cheaper it will be to use the device. But this indicator must be taken into account in combination with the number of air changes. Therefore, it is recommended to pay attention to it, choosing from two identical in performance the one with less power consumption.
Presence or absence of additional functions
To avoid a disappointing purchase, it will be helpful to familiarize yourself with what additional features a particular design is equipped with, and then decide whether this feature is important to you. Popular, for example, are fans in which you can select the rotation speed of the blades. This way it will be possible to increase its efficiency, because a low speed will lead to a reduction in energy consumption.
Important! Fans with a humidity sensor have proven to be more economical to use than devices with motion sensors. These structures will not turn on every time you visit the bathroom, but will only start working after the humidity level rises.
Features of fans with check valve
Some ventilation systems have an element called a check valve. This part can also be installed additionally in the ventilation duct. In this regard, when choosing and purchasing, the question often arises: what is the difference between systems with a check valve.
The check valve in fans is important. This detail prevents air from the ventilation from entering the room. This happens when reverse draft appears, for example, in strong winds.
But this does not mean that the check valve is a mandatory part of the design. Because fans with such a valve make normal room ventilation difficult. To compensate for this, a fan with a check valve will have to be kept running at all times.
How to properly install an exhaust fan in a bathroom
When installing a fan in a hood yourself, get acquainted with the advice of experts.
Advice! Combining the installation of a hood fan with a bathroom renovation will make installation easier.
- Connect the fan wires to the junction box that supplies power to the lighting fixtures.
- Remove the top panel from the device.
- After applying glue to the back and side walls, insert the device into the ventilation window.
- Install the grille and secure it with screws.
- Connect the electrical wires.
- Reinstall the top panel.
Proper care of a bathroom fan
By installing a fan in the bathroom, you will ensure a comfortable environment and take care of yourself and your loved ones. But the mechanism also needs your attention and care. It will work for a long time and efficiently if you take proper care of it.
Tips for caring for your bathroom fan
- When cleaning, systematically remove dust from the device.
- Clean the mechanism once a year. To do this, you need to remove the fan, disassemble it, thoroughly clean it of dust, wash and dry the plastic parts, and lubricate the motor.
Important! All cleaning work is carried out after the device has been completely de-energized.
By ventilating the air in the bathroom, you keep everyone in the family healthy!
