I’ve installed a half dozen Panasonic vent fans in bathrooms over the last couple of years. Customers love ’em, and they seem head and shoulders above everything else. But I’m curious, has anybody else caught up yet, or is Panasonic still the gold standard?
Also, can anybody recommend a brand and model number for a humidistat switch?
Thanks.
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We switch the panasonics with the Cooper 6109 time delay motion sensor that turns the fan on when you enter the bathroom and off a user defined amount of time afterwards. Typically 15 minutes for the powder and 45 for the master bath. It's not a humidity sensor but it is better than a switch or spring wound timer that is just going to get ignored. and it's only $30 or so at Lowes...
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"You cannot work hard enough to make up for a sloppy estimate."
I too am big on Panasonic, haven't used another brand in a few yrs. Until I see another one in real world conditions that performs and sounds as good why change? I also get loyal to anything that has been good to or for me.
How much for the Panasonics, and what is there CFM rating? Do those humidistats really work at say, 35% humidity? I've had one in my hand at the store, but put it down at the last minute.
Good Post, by the way.
I get the 80 CFM model (08 VQ3) for $82.00 and the 110 CFM model (11 VQ3) for $92.00. These are fan only - no light.
What about the humidistat, does it work well or is it all hype? My dad put one in his bathroom years ago, and it does seem like a good idea.
I've never installed or used a humidistat switch, so I can't comment on how well they work. My customers just finished extensive repair work in three bathrooms caused by excessive humidity, so I'm going to install either humidistat or timer switches when I do the vent fans.
My dad is happy with his......I think. He gets all secret squirrel when you start asking about projects around the house. I'm hoping for a little bit more input on them before I buy one. They are a little expensive, and I need two of them.
Where do you find the 11VQ3 for $92.00? Thanks!
I actually went with a Broan because you can get them with built in humidity sensing.
It works great and is very quiet.bob
Bunch of places have it for around $100http://www.google.com/products?q=panasonic+11vq3&oe=utf-8&scoring=pWestside Wholesale, whom I've used before and would recommend has it for $107
http://www.westsidewholesale.com/index.cgi?pid=858&CATEGORY=6343'Man who say it cannot be done should not interrupt man doing it' ~ Chinese proverb
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"Where do you find the 11VQ3 for $92.00? Thanks!"
A local electric supply house.
I installed a thru-the-wall unit a month ago, complete pkg very nicely done 8" duct. Couldn't hear it run. Do not recall the cost as I had the client purchase & pick it up. They are not inexpensive. Electrician installed a nice timer / no sensors.
panasonics are great, the larger CFMs need a 6 inch duct, that's a pretty big hole in the cieling. Biggest pet peeve with panasonics is that the built in damper is not 100%, the side is clipped so that it only seals about 70%. Make sure you put in a secondary damper down the line ..
Does Panasonics make a unit that mounts up in the attic to reduce noise & for multiple rooms? Also is it a good idea to run the duck to the attic, than out a cable end wall instead of the roof ? I'm hearing the exshasted air will travel back up into the attic from upward air pressure off the exterior wall intering the attic thru the ventilated soffit. Sorry for cutting in maybe this should be another Discussion.
I have a Fantech fan with a halogen light in my bath for the last 5 years - very happy with it - I'm not sure how it compares to the Panasonic though - never used one - I just know it's way better than the Broans that I've seen, used and installed (not my choice). I have it mounted in the attic - it can be hooked up for multiple locations, and I have it vented out the gable end - it works very well and is very quiet. It sucks the moisture from the shower right out, and if a fly happens to get in the bathroom - just turn the light and fan on - all other lights off - and out it goes! I guess I'm easily amused! I liked it because it mounts in the attic - less chance of noise being transmitted through the drywall.
Sorry for the long delay in response to your post on your Fantech Inline Fan. I'v been looking at the Fantech PB-230-2 & the CVS Series 2-Port Model 275A. Considering one of the two, to vent 2-Baths with 1-Fan mounted in the attic, than exhaust thru a gable end. Since a gable soffit doesn't vent back into the attic space I believe this is the better way of exhausting moist air out of the home envelope.
Seems theirs more to it than just mounting the fan & running the flex duct !
The Fan should be closer to the larger bath, for the correct draw from each bath. (4" duct to fan)
The Fan should be around 3' from the exhaust point (3' of 6" flex duct from Fans exhaust port to exterior grill.)
These are 2 of the things I'm hearing from Fantech. I guess I'm screwed since I Faxed them a print of my layout showing the smaller bath closer to the Gable end I want to exhaust thru. Go figure !!
Just curious about your set-up & Model #