Are You Just Blowing Hot Air?

The Truth About Bathroom Exhaust Fans

Bathroom exhaust fans play a great role in determining the quality of the house’s ventilation system. Its main function is to remove moisture, not just funky smells and condensation on mirrors. You need to understand that too much moisture at home can cause damage to the structure of your house including the walls and also the ceilings. Furthermore, the moisture will also let bacteria, mildew, molds, and insects grow faster which can lead to health problems of your family members. Here are some things to consider about bathroom exhaust fans.

Check your existing fans. You can test your existing fans are good enough in drawing the air or not. Use a piece of toilet paper and place it up towards fan’s grill. If you find that the fan holds the tissue stay tight on the grill then it means that your fan is working just fine. It’s also possible your current fan can be ineffective in dealing with the function due to age or dust accumulation. You may want to consider replacing it, new fans these days are more energy efficient and effective in moving the air circulation inside the house and removing the moisture.

Proper venting is another crucial factor. Venting into an attic space will only create more moisture issues in the attic. Venting to the outside is ideal.

“In selecting new bathroom exhaust fan, it is suggested for you to get the quietest, most energy-efficient, and please consider the size that meets your need.  To make it simpler for you to compare the fans, you can use the HVI ratings that can be found on the packages. The good ones should have 0.5 sones or less of the rating. The fans should also consume about 20 watts when they are working.” (BathBlogs.com)

Exhaust fans are like faucets, to be used daily. So rule of thumb, get a good one, it can save you money in the long run. If you’re uncomfortable replacing it yourself, refer to a professional contractor who can determine if your existing electrical can handle the desired exhaust fan and venting is set up properly.