Bathroom Fans

One of the least noticed, yet a rather essential bathroom appliance, is the bathroom fan. A fan is described as a device that produces an air current by utilizing the rotation of multiple vanes or blades. Described as such, bathroom fans can be used for either cooling purposes or ventilation purposes, depending on which way the air it produces is being blown.

Another less known benefit of having a bathroom exhaust system or bathroom fan is the elimination of excess moisture from the bathroom, which can sometimes breed dangerous mold spores in hidden nooks and crannies.

Another disadvantage of not having a bathroom fan is the possibility of the excess moisture getting into the walls, which will then cause the paint to peel.

Doors may also suffer from excess moisture in the bathroom, which will most likely cause the wood to warp.

As with other appliances and accessories available on the market, these bathroom fans also come in different shapes, sizes, and air-producing powers, depending on their makeup and classification.

Exhaust fans are, essentially, used to help get rid of stale or old air from within the bathroom and blowing it outside. These fans produce an exhaust draught, or forces air to be drawn out of a place to improve ventilation. Exhaust fans for bathrooms come in a choice of sizes, shapes and even in placement classifications.

There are fans that are ceiling mounted as well as window mounted. Most ceiling mounted exhaust fans have multiple functions like integrated humidifiers, blowers and even lights. These combination ventilation fans may also be decorative as well as functional, with some styles looking like a ceiling mounted stylish light or having the high-tech metal finish with multiple-lighting appearance that some brands sell.

In choosing exhaust fans, certain factors have to be considered. Aside from budget, which is actually one of the main elements initially considered, functionality and design also comes into careful scrutiny before a decision is made in installing an exhaust fan in your bathroom. When it comes to pricing, the cheapest kinds of exhaust fans are usually the simplest.

Choices for these base models include the simpler window types and the slightly more appealing ceiling attached types. The window models are the easier kinds to install, with some variations that can be placed outside the bathroom window and just plugged in to facilitate the ventilation process. Some home-owners even employ two exhaust fans, one to blow in air and the other to suck out the stale air, for a fresher and cooler bathroom.

While the window type fan is essentially cheaper and simpler to install and use, it does not carry with it the fashion sense that some people want for their bathrooms.

A lot of the ceiling type bathroom fans can take care of this concern along with the functionality they possess. Since a lot of ceiling type bathroom fans are multi-purpose, the choices may seem confusing. This will probably all come down to narrowing it down to budget and what you really need in your bathroom fan for you to come down to a fan choice.

Installation of this appliance can be taken care of by certain builders or contractors; however, the option of doing it yourself is also available. Some fan manufacturers have included installation instructions with their products, making this a possibility.

In installing a ventilation system for your bathroom on your own, utmost safety is a must since you will be dealing with an electrical device. Some of the safety steps to be undertaken before and during installation include making certain that the power is turned off at the circuit breaker as well as testing the wires with a circuit tester to ensure that the power is indeed turned off.

Locking the circuit breaker box after turning the electricity off is also an additional safety measure to make sure that no one accidentally turns the power back on while you are working with the fan.

Before starting on your project, you might also need to consult the proper authorities for any permits that may be required and having an inspector or a licensed electrician check if your work is fine may also be needed as an additional precautionary measure. Having the proper eye and face protection may also be considered since dust and small particles may also cause discomfort or pose a hazard to you.

After following these safety instructions and the installation instructions that come with your chosen unit, another less known yet essential step is to vent the fan properly. This is to ensure that the condensation and stale air being pulled out of the bathroom is not just being transferred to another part of the house but being expelled properly outdoors. This is achieved by utilizing a plastic duct material which is flexible and can be connected to the vent shroud of the housing that holds the fan with the other end of this hose-like appendage exiting out of the nearest external soffit.