There were times when it was simply impossible to do without such a device as a fan, and especially in the summer. Basically, they were used for internal ventilation of the premises, although there were some craftsmen who managed to make them something similar to a kitchen hood. But progress does not stand still, and fans have been replaced by more modern and reliable equipment. Various air conditioning and split systems forever replaced the fan in the bathroom, toilet, closet and other utility rooms.
Installation reasons
Not everyone installs a fan in the bathrooms. And many of those who use this device do not think about why they are doing this: they saw it from a neighbor or simply installed it to be. But for certain reasons, sometimes it’s just necessary to install an exhaust fan in the bathroom or toilet:
- Permanent condensation on walls, ceilings or furniture.
- Mold formation. First of all, it affects the seams of the tiles and the plastic elements of the room.
- Unpleasant putrefactive odor.
And do not wait for extreme circumstances (the appearance of mold or an extremely unpleasant smell), the first point, which is given above, should already make you think about possible problems with your ventilation system.
Check ventilation
The first sign talking about problems with basic ventilation may be constant dampness in the bathroom. This is mainly due to the fact that the ventilation shaft clogged and the outflow of air weakened or stopped altogether.
You can check this with a piece of paper or an open flame (candle or match), holding the source of fire to the ventilation grill:
- In a normal situation, the flame should stretch toward the ventilation duct or even go out.
- If the flame fluctuates very weakly or does not react at all, then there are problems with air outflow on the face.
If the situation has not changed after cleaning the mine, installing a fan in the bathroom will help to fix this.
Types of fans
So, we finally decided that we need a fan in the bathroom. Now it’s worth sorting out what they are. At the installation site they can be divided:
- Ceiling fans Usually mounted on suspended or suspended ceilings. They are connected to the main ventilation window using special fittings commensurate with the diameter of the fan.
- Wall fans. Basically, the installation takes place directly in the window of the ventilation shaft.
By type of installation there are:
- Consignment note, that is, installation takes place on the surface of the ceiling or wall, while the mechanical part is inside. The most common type of fans due to the low price and simple installation.
- The duct fan is directly the mechanical part itself, which is installed inside the duct shaft. The most reliable and silent option, although the installation is more complicated.
By type of construction:
- Axial - a fan that resembles a conventional propeller with an electric motor. The device is most effective in the presence of natural traction and a ventilation duct of not more than 5-6 meters in height.
- Centrifugal or radial - the most silent fan in a bathroom. This design is able to pump air flows more quickly and efficiently (especially true for the first floors of high-rise buildings). In appearance it resembles an industrial "snail", only much smaller.
Check valve fan
This mechanism is designed to cut off odors from the general ventilation duct at times when the fan is not working. But here lies the important minus of this system: when the shutter of the valve is closed (during off hours), the natural outflow of air from the room is disturbed.
In everyday life, a spring valve is used. It is a plastic blade (the blade may be one), fastened together by a spring and overlapping the opening of the ventilation duct.
During the operation of the fan, under the pressure of the air flow, the blades rise and the outflow into the mine channel occurs. As soon as the fan stops its work, under the action of the spring, the blades close tightly, although not hermetically. But for domestic use, the fan in the bathroom with a non-return valve does its job perfectly.
In the shape of the blade there are:
- Horizontal or vertical - depends on the location of the fan (wall or ceiling).
- Round or square - depends on the shape of the duct.
- In the form of blinds. Two or three "curtains", independent of each other.
Fan with timer and motion sensor
Another type of exhaust fans in the bathroom is a device with a timer or a motion sensor.
The principle of work, I think, is clear to everyone:
- A fan with a motion sensor starts to work when a person enters the bathroom and turns off when there is no movement after a certain amount of time (depending on settings). Not a very practical option, since there are a lot of false positives, for example, due to a short stay in the room, of which there will be a lot of per day.
- Bathroom fan with timer. A good version, but a lot depends on the settings. Usually it turns on with the light, but when you are in the room for less than a minute, the timer does not work - this is an obvious plus. The fan turns off after the amount of time that is set on the timer.
The best option in this case is a combination of these two options.
Fan with humidity sensor
A device equipped with a humidity sensor or hydrostat is perhaps the best choice of all fans for extracting in the bathroom in order to maintain a healthy microclimate. The principle of operation is quite simple: when the humidity level in the bathroom reaches the mark set on the sensor, the fan turns on and works until the humidity level drops below the set mark.
The main advantages include:
- It does not require a separate point to accommodate the switch.
- It works only to increase humidity, that is, there are no idle inclusions, and this is energy saving.
- Fully autonomous operation of the device, which does not require human intervention. What is called - turned on, tuned, forgot.
- The ability to independently adjust the humidity level (usually from 60 to 90%).
The most important drawback of hydrostats (though not all) is that with a lack of external air flow (no draft), false alarms are possible.
By type of accommodation may be:
- Internal or duct, that is, installed in a ventilation shaft.
- Outdoor or indoor, that is, a fan is installed in the bathroom.
In some cases, a hydrostat can be purchased separately and connected to an existing fan.
How to choose the right
From a properly selected fan, it directly depends on how well it will pump air in your bathroom or toilet. Therefore, when buying, you should pay attention to the following points:
- Regardless of which type of fan you prefer, first of all, pay attention to the diameter of your duct. It should be measured before going to the store, otherwise it is possible to buy a larger fan. In this case, only the expansion of the ventilation window will help, which is not always desirable.
- Be sure to pay attention to performance. There is no point in overpaying for more powerful models if you do not need it. The calculation of productivity is carried out according to the scheme: 6-7 volumes of the bathroom - for 1-2 people and about 10 volumes for families. The volume is measured in cubic meters of pumped air per hour of operation of the fan.
- An important detail, which is also worth paying attention to is the noise level of the working fan. The average is 30-35 dB, but there are both smaller and larger indicators. It all depends on the performance (the larger it is, the more noise the fan makes) and the type of design: the radial is quieter compared to an axial fan.
- Power consumption, the smaller it is, the less electricity bills will be. Here the advantage is behind the axial design of the fan: the energy consumption is 3-4 times less than that of a radial device.
- Material and workmanship of the fan. It is preferable if instead of the usual copolymers the body will be made of ABS plastic.
Preparing the installation site
Preparatory work for installing the fan in the bathroom is carried out before finishing the walls or ceiling and are as follows:
- The most important thing is to determine the installation location (ceiling or wall), the type of fan (duct or consignment note) and the switching method (that is, how the device will be powered).
- If the fan will be installed on the ceiling, then a new duct should be laid to the existing ventilation window.
- Route the cable to the installation site and the switching point (if the device will be switched on separately from the light). Be sure to check for performance.
- Expansion of the ventilation window. If necessary, install a fan of a larger diameter than the hole of the existing duct.
Connection and method for turning on the fan
How to connect a fan in the bathroom, a question that depends not only on the type of fan, but also on how it will turn on. Also, the connection diagram is affected by the availability of additional options for the fan: timer, hydrostat or motion sensor.
- With the help of a cord - switching on occurs due to a switch integrated in the housing. The lace coming out of the fan case acts as a key of a conventional switch.
- Turn on with the light source. A fairly common option, but not quite practical: a lot of unnecessary (idle) fan starts. This can be avoided by providing a timer in the ventilation device. The scheme for such a connection is quite simple: the phase wire goes to the switch and the fan power, the zero wire to the lamp and fan, the wire coming from the lamp goes to the switch and the timer power.
- Independent inclusion, that is, the presence of a separate switch. Perhaps the simplest scheme of all is no different from the connection scheme of a conventional lamp. If there is a timer, the connection diagram is similar to the previous point, only without a lamp: the wire from the timer goes to the switch.
- Switching on with a humidity sensor or motion sensor. You can connect in two ways: fully autonomous inclusion (that is, the fan operates only using sensors, without a switch) and forcedly autonomous (that is, the use of a switch in the fan connection diagram).
Installation
How the fan is installed in the bathroom is affected by the type of installation. Installation of overhead equipment can be done in two ways:
- Using fasteners, which are usually included.
- Using sealant or liquid nails that are applied to the back of the fan frame and pressed firmly against the wall.
The duct type of fans is installed inside the existing ventilation duct or in any place when installing a new duct.
The most important thing during installation is to prevent air leakage, that is, make the connection airtight. You should also consider the location of the fan, as some models are allowed to be installed only in horizontal or vertical position.