Bathroom Fans
Ventilation helps prevent mold and mildew damage
Bathroom fans are designed to circulate and to ventilate the air in your bathroom. The steam from baths and showers can cause the mirrors in your bathroom to fog and the walls and counters to become wet and damp. If a bathroom is not properly ventilated, over time the steam and water could cause mold and mildew to develop, water damage and rotting. A bathroom exhaust fan will help to eliminate the steam in your bathroom after you have a shower or bath.
There are a number of features to look for when purchasing a bathroom fan. You will want to make sure your bathroom fan system is energy efficient. Ask a salesperson before purchasing a system to make sure the product you choose is energy efficient or look for a bathroom fan with the Energy Star logo.
You will also want to make sure the fan is quiet. There’s nothing worse than turning on a fan in the bathroom that sounds like a lawn mower. Most new models are built to keep motor noise down to a minimum, but the level of noise will vary between brands. If you are interested in a specific brand, talk to a salesperson about the expected noise level of the system and if certain models are quieter then others. There are a number of bathroom exhaust fans available, so you do have choices.
The size of the exhaust fan system in your bathroom will determine how well the fan will ventilate your bathroom. Before you make a purchase, make sure the exhaust fan draws at least 25 liters per second, or 50 cubic feet per minute. If the exhaust fan does not process this much air, its level of performance will be insufficient to clear the air in your bathroom effectively. As well, make sure the exhaust fan does not use more than 20-80 watts. If you are unsure of the capabilities of a specific model, ask a professional salesperson before making any purchases.
Bathroom fans do require a regular cleaning to keep the vent, fan and duct system free of dust and lint. Exhaust fans draw air up and through the duct system, including dust, particulates, lint, and hair. If a significant amount of dust and lint accumulates in the exhaust fan, there is the potential that the motor of the fan could overheat and cause the lint to ignite setting the entire system on fire. To avoid this problem, clean the exhaust fan and ventilation system on a regular basis (approximately once a month).
Bathroom fans can cost anywhere from $70 to over $100, depending on the size, model and features of the fan. Most importantly, these ventilating systems will provide you and your guests with the satisfaction of knowing that what happens in the bathroom stays in the bathroom!
