How to Fit a Bathroom Extractor Fan

Have you ever thought that bathroom ventilation was not enough? Don’t worry; many individuals believe the same! If you have a vent in your bathroom, you’ve probably come to realize that there are many issues with it. The solution to this problem is to install an extractor fan for your bathroom.

However, you might be wondering, what exactly are extractor fans? This post will explain what they are and what their installation process is. Let’s get right into it!

Key Takeaways

• Extractor fans are essential for bathrooms, as they eliminate bad odours, reduce humidity, and eliminate steam, creating a more pleasant environment.
• There are various types of extractor fans, including ceiling, inline, and wall fans, each with its installation method and advantages.
• Before buying an extractor fan, consider factors such as noise level, fan size (CFM rating), and extra features to ensure effective ventilation and comfort in your bathroom.

Extraction Fan Installation

• The first and foremost thing you should do before starting the installation of an extraction fan is to make sure there’s enough room in the loft. A helpful tip here is to use a pipe and cable detector or an electronic detector to check for hidden pipes and wiring in the wall.
• Next, decide the place where you plan on making a hole. Using a pencil, mark the location of the vent port and then start to drill holes on the point of your mark. Before starting, remember to make a hole between horizontal supporting beams.
• You can use a pad saw to cut around the circle and make a hole. At this point, you can attach the fittings drill to the vent.
• Then, you need to make holes into the places you marks and attach all the necessary fittings, including the wall plugs. Keep the vent in place and fix it using a screwdriver. The exact measure of the fixings differs according to the ceiling.
• Your new fan should be secured horizontally from the floor or to the outside door. Again, make holes where Making holes will fit the fan’s frame. Stick the flexible ducting to the extractor fan and the ceiling vent.
• After doing all the required fittings, it’s time for the electrical wiring. A qualified electrician should do this step.

What is an Extractor Fan?

Extractor fans are widely used for many things. However, we’ll be talking about bathroom ceiling fans in this specific post, also known as extractor fans. This ceiling fan is installed to help you remove foul odour from your bathroom and improve air circulation. If you want your bathroom to have consistent fresh air and a good scent, then an extractor fan is just the thing you should install!

Benefits of Bathroom Ceiling Extractor Fans

Other than the complete necessity of an extractor fan in bathrooms, there are many benefits it provides you. We will briefly discuss a few here.

Kills Bad Odour

The primary reason why people install extractor fans is that it helps kill foul and smelly odour. No one wants their bathroom smelling bad all day. Especially when you have guests over, it can get embarrassing. With the help of an extractor fan, you can quickly draw out the bad smell. This will maintain a decent environment for the bathroom so that no one has an issue using it next.

Helps Reduces Humidity

If you have too much moisture in your bathroom, it can cause many issues like paint and wallpaper peeling off, growth of spores and much more. You’d have to replace your wallpapers because of excessive moisture consistently. The extractor fan can reduce moisture and humidity to avoid all these mishaps.

Eliminates Steam

If you ever take a hot shower, all your mirrors and the bathroom space will be steamy. It can get pretty annoying. You can easily avoid this by installing an extractor fan that can make a huge difference!

Types of Extractor Fan

There are multiple types of extractor fans. However, first, let’s look at how these types are set up.

Ceiling fan

This setup has secure ducting through the roof eaves, and it comes out of the external vent. Ceiling fans are usually easy to install. There are two standard setups of ceiling fans.

Inline Fans

As the name suggests, inline fans are installed inline in the ducting. This particular fan is installed on the outside wall above the ceiling or in a loft space of a duct pipe. This pipe is used to extract hair from one place to another. They can also be installed anywhere, especially to get rid of the noise they make.

Centrifugal Fans

These specific fans use centrifugal force to carefully remove the air from the bathroom to the outside wall. Unlike the axial fan that draws air in a linear line, this fan draws air and extracts it at a 90-degree angle. This allows for a greater air extraction rate.

Wall fan

This setup has ducting directly to the external location. There is one standard setup of a wall fan.

Axial Fans

Axial fans are usually the most common type of vent fan installed. However, they are also not that powerful. These should be installed in a location with decent access to the outside. This is because the air needs an exit point from the room.

Glass window

This setup has a fan attached to the window.

Buying Guide

Before you buy any extractor fan, an important thing to keep in mind is that there are a set of rules for bathroom ventilation. These rules are to be followed by every UK citizen. You can read the rules in detail from the UK Building Regulations 2010. A few points will be briefly explained here.

• It’s essential for every bathroom in the UK to be ventilated.
• The bathroom should be ventilated at 54m³ per hour or 15L per hour for standard toilets.

Noisy Factor

When you’re looking to buy an extractor fan for your bathroom, the first thing you should keep in mind is the noise level. In most cases, the cheaper the product is, the higher its noise level. If its price is on the higher end, it’ll be quieter.

Noise is an essential factor to consider because when you’re taking a shower in the morning or late at night, you don’t want it to make so much noise. In these cases, quiet extract fans are probably the best idea.

Size of Fan

Another essential thing to consider before buying an extractor fan is its size, referred to as the cfm rating. CFM stands for cubic feet per minute. In simple words, the higher the cfm is, the more air a fan can extract, thus making the ventilation even better.

A standard fan should extract air every 7 minutes 30 seconds. Your lover should have 8 times an hour or 7.5 minutes CFM rating. To measure the CFM, multiple the bathroom’s width, length, and height with 0.13. This would give you the minimum CFM required for your extractor fan.

Extra Features

In today’s time, fans come with many extra features. These features are for your easiness and comfort. This extractor fan comes with heating systems and an inbuilt light system. It’s up to you if you want to invest the extra money into these features or not. If you require these features, then they would be worth it. But if not, then there’s no point in wasting your money on features you won’t ever use.

FAQs

Can I fit a bathroom extractor fan myself?

If you currently have no bathroom extractor fan, you can DIY the installation process.

Do I need an electrician to install a bathroom exhaust fan?

Expert help is always appreciated. Suppose you face any problems or are unsure of yourself. You can always take help.

Heat Pump Source: Reliable Heating and Cooling Solutions

At Heat Pump Source, we take pride in our unwavering commitment to serving the UK with top-tier HVAC solutions. From the efficiency of heat pumps and the cool relief of air conditioning to the warmth of boilers, radiators, and underfloor heating, our dedicated team is always at the forefront of innovation. We understand the unique needs of every household and business, and we strive to provide dependable health and cooling products and services that are tailored just for you. Ensuring your comfort and satisfaction is our utmost priority. Whether you have questions, need guidance, or require support, we’re always here to assist. Please don’t hesitate to contact us; we’re eager to be of service.

Conclusion

Fitting a bathroom extractor fan is a practical solution to enhance your bathroom’s ventilation and overall comfort. These fans offer numerous benefits, from eliminating unpleasant odours to reducing humidity and steam. Understanding the different types of extractor fans and considering factors like noise level, fan size, and additional features will help you make an informed choice when selecting the right extractor fan for your bathroom. Following the recommended guidelines and seeking expert help, you can enjoy a more pleasant and functional bathroom environment.