What’s So Great About Bathroom Exhaust Fans?

While the bathroom fan can be taken for granted, it’s important when considering a remodel or update to know that exhaust fans are very useful fixtures. Their entire function is to protect your bathroom, and your family, from the hazards inherent in humid, wet spaces. Humid air and damp surfaces become a breeding ground for mold, mildew, and grime, which can cause health problems. It can also eat away at the walls, weaken the supports, or crumble grout, which can all add up to destroy a room.

The often overlooked exhaust fan is the workhorse of the bathroom. In order to find the best fit for your space, there are a few important considerations when you buy.

Know the square footage of your space before you shop

Bathroom exhaust fans are sized and rated by their ability to move air in cubic feet per minute, or CFMs. Smaller fans generate less CFMs, so the less powerful fans are ideal for smaller bathrooms because they need to cover a smaller area. Higher CFM bath fans work better in larger bathrooms.

It is recommended that bathroom fans have 1 CFM for every square foot of floor space in the bathroom. So, for instance, if your bathroom floor area measures 60 square feet, choose a fan with at least 60 CFMs to get the right amount of ventilation.

The size of the room also influences the amount of noise created by a bathroom exhaust fan. The larger the CFM, the larger the fan, and the louder the noise, which is measured in sones. One sone is about the same amount of noise as your refrigerator makes in the background, so it stays fairly quiet.

For some larger bathrooms, it might be more beneficial to install two lower-CFM fans instead of one larger fan, because the lower the CFM, the lower the sones. If you're looking for a quiet bathroom fan, choose a model with a sone rating of 2 and under. Fans rated at 3 and 4 sones generate much more white noise, especially in small spaces like a home bathroom.

Know the environmental conditions of the location.

Fans process humidity in the air, but as with most technology, they are sensitive to moisture, dependant on how much they are exposed to and how durable they are. If you're installing the fan over a shower/tub combo, make sure it is UL certified for use in a wet location.

Know the duct size the fan will need to connect to.

It is best to direct warm, moist air from the bathrooms to the ductwork and outdoors rather than transfer it to an attic space where moisture problems might still develop and spread. As you shop for fans, look for one with a diameter to match your existing ductwork. The more common duct size is 4” to 6” diameter. Some models include integrated duct adapters that can help adjust for different sizes.

If you have this information on hand before you shop, it will make finding the perfect fan for your space that much easier. Reference it as you browse and check it against the product specifications for any model you’re considering.

Once you have the basics ready, it’s time to look around! There are many features that can customize an exhaust fan to meet your bathroom’s specific challenges, so it can help to have an idea of what is out there to choose from.

Humidity sensing exhaust fans monitor the humidity levels in the room and only turn on when needed, saving you energy. They even turn themselves off when the humidity level has returned to the ideal.

Lighting options are available if your bathroom needs a little extra light without sacrificing space. For instance, you can install an exhaust fan with a light in place of an existing light fixture, for easier wiring.

Some fans are hidden behind recessed lighting cans, so they are virtually invisible and blend seamlessly into your bathroom decor. Others come with night lights for soft illumination during the nighttime hours.

UL wet-rated exhaust fans are certified as safe for use in areas such as over a bath or shower enclosure. These fans can handle a little water splashing on the surface through the course of their everyday use.

Energy Star certified exhaust fans have become more efficient than ever. Energy Star bathroom fans use 70% less energy than conventional non-Energy Star models. This helps keep energy costs low. Energy Star also applies standards for low sound emission, low wattage consumption, and qualified products also show powerful but efficient performance under static pressure.

Another way to make sure you have an energy efficient home is to choose a fan that utilizes LED lighting, or special sensors to detect changes in humidity or motion in the room to determine when the fan is needed. Choosing an Energy Star bathroom exhaust fan will get you the most bang for your energy bucks.

Built-in heaters are a feature in some bathroom exhaust fans. These are particularly useful comfort for colder climates, but also help reduce humidity through the heater as well as the fan.

A variety of colors and finishes are available to help you find the perfect blend to your bathroom design. There’s even a decorative collection for exhaust fans that look and function as flush mount ceiling lights, so you can hide the functional behind the stylish.

We’re glad to help you with your search to build the perfect bathroom. There’s no project too big or too small, so if you have any questions, let us know! You can call us at (855) 484-3292, or chat live with one of our knowledgeable project experts for more personalized assistance.

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