Bathroom Exhaust Fans

August 20, 2019   bathroom   Comment  

Most people feel that the sole purpose of bathroom exhaust fans is to remove “unwanted odors” from the bathroom. While that is certainly a consideration, bathroom exhaust fans are also very important in maintaining a healthy home.

We’ve all heard recently about how dangerous mold can be in the home. The main factor in creating mold, and also mildew, is moisture, and nowhere else in the home is moisture more prevalent than in the bathroom. Hot water being used for a shower, bath, or shaving causes hot vapor, or steam, to rise towards the ceiling. (Notice the foggy mirror?) When the temperature drops in the bathroom, this steam will condense and leave moisture. If this moisture does not evaporate, mold and mildew can form.

Bathroom exhaust fans should always be turned on when hot water is being used in the bathroom. They will remove the warm, moist air before it has time to condense in the interior walls and ceilings, and later form mold or mildew.

Types of Bathroom Exhaust Fans

• Ceiling Mounted – are the most commonly used bathroom exhaust fans. They suck in the air directly below them, and remove it through an exhaust vent, usually on the roof of the home.
• Wall Mounted – are also widely used, especially in homes where the bathroom is located on an exterior wall. These may not be needed id you have a window which provides bathroom ventilation instead of a fan.

Most modern homes come with bathroom exhaust fans already installed in all the bathrooms, which is great, because the ductwork has already been installed. Chances are pretty good though, that a low-grade bathroom fan was originally installed by the builder, and you may find yourself needing a replacement exhaust fan a lot sooner than you may think. Make sure to get a good quality replacement bathroom exhaust fan. You truly get what you pay for with these.