bathroom exhaust solution
Hello, my name is Brian. I have a situation with a bathroom in the middle of the house with no option for a window. I am wondering about a fan that will move the air better because the current one is not doing the job. A brand and model number would be greatly appreciated or another solution. I discussed natural lighting through the roof, but the homeowner did not want to spend the money. Thank you for your advice. Brian
Replies
It may not be the fan. Could be ducting is too long or convoluted. Might also be lack of incoming air if door is tight. May need an inline booster.
Two things to check out on fans; CFM rating and noise (rated in sones). I've had good luck with Panasonic ceiling mounts and Fantec remotes.
Everything will be okay in the end. If it's not okay, it's not the end.
I don't know if it would work in your situation but I like remote fans. They are installed in the attic and a duct run to the bath/baths. Much more powerful and quieter than fan light combos. Requires a 6" duct cap that you can place close or in the shower. This will allow you to install ceiling lights with multiple bulbs for plenty of light.
Beat it to fit / Paint it to match
Panasonic makes some very quiet yet powerful bathroom fans. Model depends on how large the bathroom is and whether you need an integrated light, etc etc.
I would check out the existing exhaust duct. It could be inadequate, kinked, crimped or otherwise blocked. Make sure the duct exits to the outside air and not just dumping into the attic.
Don't use the vinyl/platic flex duct - too easily kinked and doesn't flow very well. In my opinion, 4" thin walled PVC pipe (used for sewer lines) is best. Light weight and flows much better than flex "hose". Wrap the duct with insulation. Basic fiberglass batts wrapped along the length works. Give the pipe a slight pitch to the outside to drain any humidity that condenses to water.
Quantum materiae materietur marmota monax si marmota monax materiam possit materiari?
Had a Fantech first, but it actually was too loud. I used PVC ducting, as suggested. I replaced it with a Panasonic fan (100 CFM in a small bathroom) with flourescent lights, it was virtually silent, and I got the lights as a bonus.
Panasonic makes the best fans, but if lighting through the roof is an option, why not vent a fan through the roof?
Can you use a remote mounted fan? They move a lot of air. Quiet, efficient.
A Fantech or American Aldes?
Vent through the roof as mentioned.
The standard ("code minimum") bathroom fan moves 50 cubic feet per minute (CFM). Even moving up to a fan with 70-80 CFM can make a world of difference. And fans are available that are significantly larger than that.
The "gold standard" for bathroom fans is an "inline" fan that is remote (eg, in an attic) and so very quiet (and also large and powerful). Otherwise, you can judge the noise of fans by the quoted "sone" rating on the package, and the depth of the fan box -- the deeper the quieter.
The 50 CFM fan is likely installed with 3" duct, maybe 4" if the builder was feeling generous. 3" is adequate (though a bit on the small side) up to 70-80 CFM, after which you want to go to 4". Some really large fans need larger still.
The duct should exit outside somewhere, not into the attic.
Another point: I have in the past year actually encountered two bath fans that were not even connected to ductwork. Before you do anything else, make sure the ductwork is connected and that it's not blocked somewhere.
Isn't that sweet. Sort of like roof vents without any cut out in the sheathing.
If you will allow me to digress a little. The more air you are pulling through there and dispensing to the out side the more heated or cooled air you are losing. If the fan is left on for an extended period of time you can lose a significant amount of energy. I put the fans on a timer that remembers to shut it off after it has done its work.
Ptooey, if there is such a word. I'm trying to picture the air from a bathroom fan melting the polar ice cap and causing the end of coal and gas. I'd guess that most people turn them off as they leave the bathroom.
More likely the reverse. Not wanting to return to shut off the fan they turn it off as they leave when it should run for a few more minutes to dissipate the moisture. Either way a timer is a good idea.
My experience is that some people like to get the stink or moisture out of the house. Rather than returning afterwards to turn it off they forget and let it run day and night.
As I said, either way a timer is a good idea.
Yeah, you can sometimes find a humidistat that will do the work a little more automatically, but the twist-type timer is simple and reliable.
As I stood before the gates I realized that I never want to be as certain about anything as were the people who built this place. --Rabbi Sheila Peltz, on her visit to Auschwitz
Our code makes us put in humidistats located in an upstairs hall and linked to the bathroom fan. Every house I have been in has it turned right up (off), and every electrician I know has had calls from clients saying their bathroom fan is broken and won't turn off. For most of the winter here the outside air is completely saturated and the interior comparatively dry. Bringing in unconditioned humid air doesn't help things.
Tinkerer3,
Just how did you gather your "experience" that says that people leave their fans running day and night? I hope it wasn't illegal activity, or are you just extrapolating your personal behavior to include everyone else?
Edited 10/27/2009 12:17 am ET by BARMIL
Edited 10/27/2009 12:18 am ET by BARMIL