If you are looking to replace your broken bathroom fan and do not know how to find the right one, this article is for you.
Here, you will find out how you will know the right size of a bathroom fan to choose from as well as the other important buying factors to consider.
Understanding The Bathroom Fan Sizes and more…
You might be asking yourself, what bathroom fan size do I need?
Nothing beats a refreshing shower in a super clean and spa-like bathroom. But do you know the secret to keeping your bathroom free from foul odors and bacteria?
Yes, that’s the white grille mounted on the ceiling or wall, which is commonly called a bathroom fan.
This electrically powered appliance is an important addition to every bathroom because it is designed to improve airflow and reduce excess humidity.
Overall, it helps in making your bathroom a safe place for your family by preventing the accumulation of bacteria or mildew.
How Do I Size a Bathroom For An Exhaust Fan?
Bathroom air vent fans are ranked by the cubic feet per minute (CFM) of air they relocate and need to be sized to change the air in the area a minimum of 8 times an hour.
If your shower room has an 8′ ceiling, the CFM ranking for your fan needs to be as least as high as the number of square feet (5′ x 7′ = 35 sq. ft.) in the area.
Things I Want To Find Out So I Know What Size Bathroom Fan Do I Need?
The most common question that people ask when buying a new unit is what size bathroom fan do I need? That is because bathroom fans come in different shapes and sizes, so choosing has become somehow confusing.
Aside from this, it is paramount for you to get the right size of a bathroom fan to ensure that your restroom will be well ventilated.
Bathroom fan sizes are based on their airflow capacity which is measured in CFM or cubic feet per minute. The general rule of sizing according to the Home Ventilating Institute (HIV) is 1 square foot equals 1 CFM. For example, if your bathroom is 100 square feet, and the right bathroom fan for you should, therefore, has 100 CFM.
However, you should also take note that having a toilet, shower, and other fixtures in the bathroom mean more wet area.
So, HIV also recommends adding 50 CFMs for every fixture, especially in public and communal bathrooms.
Installing a Bathroom Fan
Bath fans are mostly seen installed in the ceiling, but you can also find models that are mounted on the wall. Whichever design you prefer, you should remember that the vent part of the fan should exhaust the moisture out of your home.
If you have an attic above the bathroom ceiling, then it might not be ideal to mount the bath fan on that part. Another thing to take note of is the size of the duct adapter that will be connected to your house’s ductwork.
Some models are easy to install by merely following the user manual. However, other models may need professional assistance that can perform complicated wiring procedures.
The Added features
Today, manufacturers have added a variety of features to extend the functionality of bath fans. Aside from fans, they also have light bulbs for extra brightness in the room.
This can also replace the fixtures in the bathroom and save energy when needed. Others might integrate night lights and built-in heaters.
The most advanced models have sensors that monitor the humidity and motion, turning on the fan when the room reaches a certain humidity level or when there is an action. It will then turn off when the humidity lessens.
Looking At The Noise level
There are a number of ways to determine the noise level of a bathroom fan. You can use a sound meter, or you can use an online noise calculator. You can also ask someone else in the room to tell you how loud it is.
The first step – is to find out what type of fan your bathroom has. If you have an exhaust fan, then this is the type of noise level that you will need to measure. If you have an exhaust fan, then this is the type of noise level that you will need to measure.
The second step – is to find the distance between your ear and the fan with your sound meter or online calculator. This will tell you how loud it sounds in decibels (dB).
The loudness of the sound that the bathroom fan produces is measured in sones. If you like taking a rest while enjoying a steamy hot bath, then you would also want a bath fan that operates quietly, lest your peace will be disturbed.
There are models that are below 1 sone, producing whisper-silent noise. However, they are more expensive on the market. Bathroom fans producing sounds at 2 sones are ideal and more affordable. But no matter how cheap 5-sone fans are, do not choose them.
Efficiency
What is a Bathroom Fan Efficiency, Why is it Important, and How Do You Measure it?
The first step is to find the bathroom fan efficiency. This can be accomplished by looking at the fan’s CFM rating. The higher the CFM rating, the more air it will move, and thus, the more efficient it will be.
A bathroom fan is a type of ventilation fan that provides light and ventilation in a bathroom. These fans are typically designed to exhaust air from the room and replace it with fresh air from outside.
This allows bathrooms to be used while someone else is occupying the other side of the wall, a common example being in an apartment building.
Bathroom fans come in different (shapes, sizes, and styles) but there are two main types: ceiling-mounted and recessed-mounted models.
Ceiling-mounted models can suck up moisture from the shower or bathtub because they’re installed high enough above wet surfaces;
- meanwhile recessed mounted models are flush with walls on three sides for better use with tiled surfaces or
- sloped ceilings without obstructing windows or
- lights
The average performance rating for bathroom fans is between 100 cfm (cubic feet per minute) to 300 cfm depending on their size, power source, installation type (recessed or ceiling), location preferences, etc.; whereas some more powerful commercial-grade units have ratings as high as 1200 cfm.
A higher-rated fan will generally perform better than one that has a lower rating; however, this isn’t always true due to factors like installation location and unit placement within the room can also affect performance levels.
Bathroom fans have become more energy efficient today than they were before.
The truth is, they are now 70% lower in consuming energy. The performance is still powerful but the consumption is less. It really won’t affect your utility bill when you add a bath fan, so it’s clearly a cost-effective option.
What’s more is that bath fans are greener, too. They produce fewer or no harmful fumes that can potentially harm the environment. To ensure that your unit is cost-efficient, make sure that it is Energy Star certified.
Bathroom fans are a necessity in many homes and businesses. They help to keep the air fresh by removing excess moisture and odors from the room. However, not all bathroom fans are created equally.
There are many features that make some bathroom fans more efficient than others. Some of these features include:
- Noise level
- Installation ease
- Airflow pattern (upward or downward)
- Energy efficiency
How to Find the Best Bathroom Fan Efficiency for Your Home
The best-rated bathroom fans are exhaust fans. These fans can be used to remove excess moisture as well as contaminants. These two features make these fans very helpful in bathrooms that have a shower or bathtub. The fan keeps the air circulating and removes stuffy odors while also removing contaminants such as mold and mildew, bacteria, viruses, and fungus that can grow in damp conditions.
A lot of people prefer these types of fans because they are quite effective at removing the desired elements from bathrooms without getting expensive or noisy as traditional air conditioning systems would be.
The best-rated exhaust fans are not only great for bathrooms with showers or baths, but also for any room with a window that doesn’t get much ventilation such as kitchens or bedrooms.
The fan works by drawing out stagnant air from inside the room which creates an even distribution of fresh air throughout it.
It also increases ventilation in areas where moisture can accumulate like beneath sinks, refrigerators, dishwashers, and ovens.
Choosing Between a Ceiling or Wall Mounted Bathroom Exhaust Fan
The exhaust fan is an essential home appliance that helps expel unwanted smells and airborne particles from your home. The exhaust fan can be mounted on the wall or ceiling, both of which have their pros and cons.
Wall mount fans are great for placement against a wall because they take up less space than ceiling fan mounts, but they also require the room to have a floor outlet or other type of power outlet.
Ceiling-mounted fans are great if you want to circulate air throughout your entire home, but they may be noisy and don’t work well in smaller rooms. The exhaust fan is an essential home appliance that helps expel unwanted smells and airborne particles from your home.
Most homes contain at least
- one exhaust fan in the kitchen,
- bathroom,
- laundry room, or
- basement for removing odors – whether it’s cooking food in the kitchen or
- doing laundry down below – as well as
- dust particles in these areas
There are two types of mounting options available for an inside-the-house exhaust:
- on the wall or
- on top of the ceiling (ceiling mount).
Both options come with some advantages and disadvantages; however, you may find one better suited to your needs than another depending on how much use it will get.
The Benefits of Installing the Right Bathroom Exhaust Fan Efficiency
This can help save you money on your energy bill. This can also keep your air cleaner by reducing the number of pollutants in your home.
Health – A strong exhaust fan will clear out stale air, which may be a breeding ground for mold and mildew that is unhealthy for you to breathe.
Home Value – This can add to the value of your home by making it more desirable to have a well-ventilated, clean bathroom.
Purchasing an exhaust fan is often one of the least expensive ways to improve a space’s efficiency, health, or home value.
For example;
- installing a new bathroom exhaust fan can not only help reduce energy costs by removing moisture and
- humidity from the air but also decrease the risk of mold and
- mildew growth in an indoor living space (restricting airflow will increase humidity levels)
Not only do these fans remove excess moisture but they also eliminate bacteria and viruses which reduces our exposure to illness-causing agents while simultaneously boosting our immune system defenses.
In addition, adding an exhaust fan into one’s home has been shown to raise its overall valuation because buyers are drawn toward homes with better access to ventilation (which are healthier).