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Bathroom exhaust fans

Sphere | Posted in Energy, Heating & Insulation on November 30, 2006 03:05am

I recall seeing a Nutone thru the wall fart fan in my past travels. I looked at the website, still am not sure what I am after.

I have an upstairs bath room with a cieling that is the roof..I.E. , 2×8 sloped with gobs of insulation and I am not inclined to vent out from it.

Is Nutone a decent buy?

Any other suggestions?

Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

I have irriatable Vowel syndrome.

Reply

Replies

  1. BungalowJeff | Nov 30, 2006 03:47pm | #1

    Panasonic makes a good one. That is, good considering that thru-walls are not the first choice.

    ...that's not a mistake, it's rustic

    1. peedee | Dec 03, 2006 07:13am | #13

      I'd like to know why the wall fans are not as good as ceiling. A couple of issues that I think the wall fans address are:1) less ceiling penetrations make for better thermal efficiency (one less thermal envelope penetration, when ducting into unconditioned space).
      2) venting is either in an attic req'g roof penetration (_potential_ point of leak) or through floor bays if a lower story on a multi-story structure.

      I have only installed ceiling fans but the *only* drawback I can see to a properly CFM rated wall fan would be not located at the topmost part of the room, which I'd be willing to trade if I can get it within 6-8" of the ceiling.Your thoughts appreciated.

      1. BungalowJeff | Dec 04, 2006 04:59pm | #14

        The ceiling location issue is the main thing for actual vent performance. My biggest problem though is the big hole in the wall, particularly 2x4 walls. At least with a ceiling unit, the penetration is (usually) above the insulation, and backflow prevention can be improved in the duct work....that's not a mistake, it's rustic

  2. User avater
    BillHartmann | Dec 01, 2006 03:02am | #2

    Panasonic and Fantech.

    http://www.energyfederation.org/consumer/default.php/cPath/30_426

    1. User avater
      Sphere | Dec 01, 2006 03:04am | #3

      Yeouchhh..$$$.

      Thanks .

      Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

      I have irriatable Vowel syndrome.

      1. User avater
        BillHartmann | Dec 01, 2006 03:09am | #4

        Here is a Nutone that is a little cheaper.http://www.homeclick.com/showpage.asp?itemid=226853&cm_ven=Froogle&cm_cat=Bath&cm_pla=Nutone&cm_ite=Nutone-Ventilation_Fans-226853&cid=88EA53CA5F5BBC817017C045060D9568

        1. User avater
          Sphere | Dec 01, 2006 03:35am | #5

          Ok..I am sold on that one..man, you are the one!

          Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

          I have irriatable Vowel syndrome.

          1. CaseyR | Dec 01, 2006 08:27am | #7

            The low end bathroom fans at Home Depot look like they would fit into a 2x4 framed wall. They are pretty low CFM - I think it was about 50. The exhaust is a short piece of 3" plastic pipe that comes out perpendicular to the axis of the fan, which means that in a wall it would run parallel to the studs. This would require fabricating a tight el to get the exhaust out the exterior wall. Not optimum but cheap and perhaps the way I will go on a similar situation in which I not only need to go through the wall but don't want the 8" hole that some of the higher priced units designed for through wall installation require. I think the Home Depot unit is in the $40 range but don't remember exactly; however, the $37 figures sticks in my mind. I also seem to remember that it was not exactly quiet.

          2. pickings | Dec 01, 2006 05:42pm | #11

            Just did that in a rental.....but used the Broan fan from Lowes....$89  lots quieter than the HD line of nutones.

            Two problems.......

            1. Only ext wall vents at avail were the 4" louvered ones, so had to step up the vent line to 4" efore the elbow.

            2. Only reason mine worked was that it was 2x6 wall w/ 2 layers of siding (even then I had to "ovalize" the 4" coupling a little. Don't think it will work in a 4" wall, unless you can get a 3" exterior vent piece.

             

          3. User avater
            madmadscientist | Dec 02, 2006 01:43am | #12

            We also installed the Broan thru-the-wall fan in both of our bathrooms.  I don't know what the model number is but it sucks a good amount of air.  never have any trouble with condenstation on the walls during wintertime showers.

            We have 2by4 walls and had no trouble installing them-them come with a wall cap don't they?

            One thing though is that they are stupid loud...which is fine in the guest bath, which is right off the kitchen, to disguise the noises.  In our masterbath its loud enough that it wakes me up when the wife gets up earlier than I.Daniel Neuman

            Oakland CA

            Crazy Home Owner

      2. User avater
        jhausch | Dec 01, 2006 03:01pm | #9

        NO kidding on yeeoouch, eh?  I just bought 2 fans and 2 fan+lights.

        It's eiher $10 for a 747 noisemaker; $100 for a regular noisemaker; $150 for a quiet-but-still-ugly; and then crazy from there.

        For cryin out loud, I's a fan in a cheap-a$$ metal box with a plastic cover!

        Sorry - I realize I am not helping here.

        http://jhausch.blogspot.comAdventures in Home BuildingAn online journal covering the preparation and construction of our new home.

        1. User avater
          Sphere | Dec 01, 2006 03:09pm | #10

          yep. I don't need a light or heater I just want a thru the wall type deal. Actually loud is not a problem either..it won't be used much.

          Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

          I have irriatable Vowel syndrome.

  3. User avater
    Gene_Davis | Dec 01, 2006 05:51am | #6

    We only use the super quiet Panasonics.

    And don't fart so much.

  4. TomT226 | Dec 01, 2006 02:56pm | #8

    Just installed a Nutone vent/heat/light combo that fits in a 2X8 framed ceiling.  Less than a $100.  Gotta have a 20A circuit for the heater.  Works great.

     

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