{"id":6089,"date":"2022-04-20T13:03:45","date_gmt":"2022-04-20T13:03:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/scottsbathrooms.com\/?p=6089"},"modified":"2022-04-27T16:03:49","modified_gmt":"2022-04-27T16:03:49","slug":"how-do-bathroom-fans-work","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/scottsbathrooms.com\/how-do-bathroom-fans-work\/","title":{"rendered":"How Do Bathroom Fans Work?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>If you\u2019re currently looking to buy a <a href=\"https:\/\/scottsbathrooms.com\/best-bathroom-exhaust-fans\/\">new bathroom exhaust fan<\/a>, there\u2019s a good chance you\u2019re trying to learn as much as possible about these convenient appliances.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Capable of removing unpleasant smells, stale air, as well as excess humidity, the bathroom exhaust fans are extremely easy to use and they completely remove the need to open up a window after taking a shower or bath.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In this article, I will talk about:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Bathroom exhaust fan ducting;&nbsp;<\/li><li>The performance of bath fans;&nbsp;<\/li><li>The noise that these appliances make;&nbsp;<\/li><li>How are bath fans controlled;&nbsp;<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>\u2026and more. Let\u2019s get started!&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Introduction&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1280\" height=\"720\" src=\"https:\/\/scottsbathrooms.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/round-bathroom-fan-in-ceiling.jpg\" alt=\"Round bathroom fan in a ceiling\" class=\"wp-image-6100\" srcset=\"https:\/\/scottsbathrooms.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/round-bathroom-fan-in-ceiling.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/scottsbathrooms.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/round-bathroom-fan-in-ceiling-700x394.jpg 700w, https:\/\/scottsbathrooms.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/round-bathroom-fan-in-ceiling-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>I can\u2019t tell you how many times I\u2019ve been inside bathrooms that have no exhaust fans of any sort. And whenever I said this to the homeowners, they were surprised, completely unaware of the disadvantages that come with <em>not <\/em>having one of these appliances installed in your bathroom.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For a healthy home, having a quality bathroom exhaust fan is essential.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The main purpose of these convenient devices is to remove humidity that appears every time someone has taken a shower. They can also keep the airborne contaminants at bay, remove stale air, eliminate unpleasant smells, and prevent the foggy mirror syndrome from occurring.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They are usually mounted on bathroom ceilings, although they can also be installed vertically on walls.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Bathroom Fan Ducting&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The excess moisture and stale air that are sucked in by a bathroom exhaust fan are transferred to the outside through fan ducting.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Typically having a circumference of between 3 and 6 inches, a fan duct is either flexible (aluminum) or rigid (metal). Some bathroom fan ducts are over 20 feet long, while some measure only 1 foot &#8211; it all depends on the fan\u2019s location inside a house.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Duct Insulation&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>In case it has to be installed into a crawl space, a garage, or an attic, <a href=\"https:\/\/scottsbathrooms.com\/how-to-insulate-bathroom-exhaust-fan-duct\/\">the duct needs to be insulated<\/a> first.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Due to the temperature difference between the uninsulated room and the bathroom duct air, water beads (condensation) can appear on the ducting. And, as you can already guess, condensation can lead to the appearance of dangerous mold growth and some pretty severe wood damage.\u00a0Read our post on <a href=\"https:\/\/scottsbathrooms.com\/how-do-i-stop-condensation-in-my-bathroom-fan\/\">how to stop condensation in a bathroom fan<\/a> for more information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What\u2019s an Exterior Hood?&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1280\" height=\"720\" src=\"https:\/\/scottsbathrooms.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/exterior-vent-hood.jpg\" alt=\"Exterior vent hood\" class=\"wp-image-6102\" srcset=\"https:\/\/scottsbathrooms.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/exterior-vent-hood.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/scottsbathrooms.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/exterior-vent-hood-700x394.jpg 700w, https:\/\/scottsbathrooms.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/exterior-vent-hood-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>A vast majority of bathroom exhaust fans have hoods that feature some kind of a flapper. This part will be either circular or feature a couple of so-called louvers (angled slats).&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The purpose of a flapper is to allow stale air and excess moisture to move from a bathroom to the outside while at the same time stopping exterior air and all kinds of debris (as well as insects) from getting inside the duct.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One very common issue that can cause serious trouble for your bathroom duct is when the birds decide to make a nest inside of it.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Bird Nests&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1280\" height=\"720\" src=\"https:\/\/scottsbathrooms.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/bird-nest-on-a-roof.jpg\" alt=\"Bird nest on a roof\" class=\"wp-image-6097\" srcset=\"https:\/\/scottsbathrooms.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/bird-nest-on-a-roof.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/scottsbathrooms.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/bird-nest-on-a-roof-700x394.jpg 700w, https:\/\/scottsbathrooms.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/bird-nest-on-a-roof-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Birds <em>love <\/em>making nests inside bathroom fan ducts &#8211; there\u2019s no doubt about that. After all, these places provide security and warmth. They\u2019re not that much different than the tree holes, at least in the eyes of birds.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As you can already guess, a bird making a nest inside your flexible fan ducting is bound to block the airflow and render your exhaust fan completely useless.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And since blocked ducts can cause the engine of the exhaust fan to overheat, bird nests can also be a serious fire hazard.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Another purpose of the aforementioned flapper is to stop the birds from making a nest inside the duct. You can also install some kind of screen. However, be careful when it comes to the size of the holes on this screen &#8211; if they\u2019re too small, they could easily get clogged with all sorts of debris.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In my opinion, duct screens with 1 cm holes are the best. You can get one at a big box store, where it will probably be called a \u201cpest barricade\u201d.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Performance of Bathroom Fans&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The strength of a bathroom exhaust fan will always be rated in cubic feet per minute, or CFMs.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In simple terms, the CFM rating can tell you how much excess moisture can a particular appliance of this type remove in one minute.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Bathroom exhaust fans with a CFM rating of 50 are the lowest-rated ones and they\u2019re ideal for small bathrooms. The highest-rated household bath fans are the 180 CFM ones, while the models that are even stronger than that are typically reserved for commercial purposes.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For bathrooms whose square footage stands below 100, the general rule of thumb is to add 1 CFM for every square foot of the bathroom\u2019s floor area.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Have a look at my bathroom exhaust fan sizing chart to learn how to properly size one of these appliances for your bathroom.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Bathroom Fan Noise&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>When it comes to bathroom exhaust fans, one of the most common homeowner complaints is the noise these machines make.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some models can be quite loud &#8211; you can hear the noise that they make from the other side of the house. The newest and the most expensive units, on the other hand, are so quiet that the only way to tell whether they\u2019re on or off is by taking a look at their indicator lights.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The noise that these appliances create is rated in Sones.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A model whose Sone rating is 1.0 or less will be exceptionally quiet while in operation. Most units are in the 2-3 Sones range, however &#8211; these are moderately loud fans that won\u2019t really bother you with the noise they make unless you really focus on it.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Obviously, a bathroom exhaust fan whose Sone rating is 4.0 or more will be quite loud. This is the case with most older appliances of this type.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>An important thing to mention here is that the Sones represent how humans perceive loudness &#8211; it\u2019s not an actual physical measurement. When a Sone rating is doubled, so is the perceived loudness. So, a bathroom exhaust fan whose Sone rating is 2.0 will always be twice as loud as a 1.0 Sone unit.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019d like your model to be as quiet as possible, have a look at my roundup of the market\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/scottsbathrooms.com\/quietest-exhaust-fan\/\">quietest bathroom exhaust fans<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How is a Bathroom Fan Controlled?&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1280\" height=\"720\" src=\"https:\/\/scottsbathrooms.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/white-bathroom-fan-switch.jpg\" alt=\"White bathroom fan switch\" class=\"wp-image-6095\" srcset=\"https:\/\/scottsbathrooms.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/white-bathroom-fan-switch.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/scottsbathrooms.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/white-bathroom-fan-switch-700x394.jpg 700w, https:\/\/scottsbathrooms.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/white-bathroom-fan-switch-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The most common way to control one of these appliances is by using a simple <a href=\"https:\/\/scottsbathrooms.com\/best-bathroom-fan-switches\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"6046\">bathroom fan switch<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You should turn on your bathroom fan whenever you\u2019re taking a shower and then leave it working for about half an hour once you\u2019re done. This should allow it to remove all of the excess moisture.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Timer Switches&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Fans with <a href=\"https:\/\/scottsbathrooms.com\/best-bathroom-fan-timer-switches\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"6108\">bathroom fan timer switches<\/a> allow users to pick an amount of time after which the appliance will turn off automatically.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Humidity Sensors&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Besides timer switches, a lot of modern <a href=\"https:\/\/scottsbathrooms.com\/best-bathroom-exhaust-fan-with-humidity-sensor\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"4968\">bathroom fans come with humidity sensors<\/a>. As you can already guess, the job of this feature is to turn the fan on\/off as the level of humidity increases\/decreases.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Motion Sensors&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>There are also models equipped with motion sensors. As its name suggests, this feature detects movement in the bathroom and turns the fan on\/off accordingly.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Takeaway&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>As you can see, the bathroom fans are simple but extremely useful devices.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They remove humid air by sending it the outside through ducts, their performance is rated in CFMs (the higher the CFM rating, the more powerful the fan), and they can be noisy (high Sone rating) but also extremely quiet (low Sone rating).&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Finally, they\u2019re often equipped with motion sensors, humidity sensors, timer switches, and other convenient features that make them even more versatile.&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>To make sure you&#8217;ll get the perfect fan for your bathroom, it&#8217;s important to learn how bathroom exhaust fans work and why they are important.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":6093,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center 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make sure you'll get the perfect fan for your bathroom, it's important to learn how bathroom exhaust fans work and why they are important.","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/scottsbathrooms.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6089"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/scottsbathrooms.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/scottsbathrooms.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/scottsbathrooms.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/scottsbathrooms.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6089"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/scottsbathrooms.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6089\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6234,"href":"https:\/\/scottsbathrooms.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6089\/revisions\/6234"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/scottsbathrooms.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6093"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/scottsbathrooms.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6089"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/scottsbathrooms.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6089"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/scottsbathrooms.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6089"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}