Replies

1. 
   Guest_ | Feb 06, 1999 09:47am | #1

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   Carl;

   I'm a big fan of remote mounted blowers. Just buy a Broan or Newtone. Some models have an adapter for the input side to connect to a duct. A simple grill and boot in the ceiling and you're set. I usually upsize the fan so that it actually exhausts the room. If the duct is long enough, youll need a automatic switch to turn it off or an indicator light. Even 300 CFM fans can be hard to hear. I hate the small buzz boxes that don't really exhaust. The "lo Sone" models seem to be much more than the additional ductwork costs, and you still hear 'em.

   On the down side, a high CFM fan will waste energy (what you suck out of the bathroom gets replaced downstairs). But with the higher CFM, you just need to leave it on for a few minutes.

   The central multiport models are for continuous use and I question their exhausting capability (although they are probably good for general moisture level control).

2. 
   Carl_P. | Feb 08, 1999 10:33pm | #2

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   Adam,

   Thanks for the input. The only remote mounted fan I see in the Broan catalogue is the multiport ventilator. Are you talking about a seperate unit for each bath or one blower for all?

   Any thoughts on the Fantech inline exhaust fans?

3. 
   Guest_ | Feb 09, 1999 12:33am | #3

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   Fantech is probably the better known of the remote fans. It's a squirrel cage design, which is more effective and quieter than blades. Besides the Fantech, I've seen another advertised in FHB, but I forget its name. I have a Fantech in my home, and I like it so far. Mine is the FR100. For multiple rooms, you may have to go to a larger fan than the FR100, and these have a larger duct size, as well, something to consider in your planning. I've had NuTone fans, and my feeling is they should stick to making doorbells.

1. 
   Guest_ | Feb 09, 1999 01:26am | #4

   *I always envisioned these systems combined with a heat exchanger like an ERV unit. I guess I envision an ERV sucking out of bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, mudrooms, and wherever the kitty litter box is. This generally solves your exhausting problem, but in the summer I wouldn't want any recovery because the house is not air conditioned, and in summer outside is hotter then inside.Could someone cover the mechanical ventilation topic with a general overview or something?-Rob

4. 
   David_Edrington | Feb 11, 1999 01:28am | #5

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   Carl,

   We've been using the Aldes in our last 3 townhouse projects and have had no problems. They are very quiet when mounted in the attic. You can not hear them running at all. They run constantly and have a booster on a timer for the bathrooms that have showers. The ducts are normally 3" diameter and fit into interior stud walls. There is one duct that runs to the crawl space for ventilation and you can replace all but one of the foundation vents using this technique.

   David Edrington

5. 
   Carl_P. | Feb 11, 1999 01:30am | #6

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   I'm remodeling a house with three baths and a laundry that need fans. I am thinking of using one multiport ventilator rather 4 or 5 individual fans. I realize the downside of a multiport is that when the fan is on in one room it's on in all the rooms and there will be some long duct runs. But, the upside is that I won't have five holes in my roof, remote mounted fan will be quiet and I only have to buy one unit. Would appreciate any comments regarding mutliport ventilators for this type of application. Thanks.