How to ventilate a bathroom with no vent?

Author: Uriah Rolfson  |  Last update: Thursday, August 28, 2025

There are several effective ways to ventilate a bathroom without windows. Installing an exhaust fan, using a dehumidifier, opening the door, using a vent cover, and adding a skylight are all great options.

How to vent a bathroom that doesn't have a vent?

One option is to install an inline fan in the kitchen and bathroom. This type of fan is installed directly in the ductwork, and it moves air from the kitchen and bathroom to the outside of the building. This will allow you to keep the windows closed and still be able to vent out smoke and humidity.

How to deal with a bathroom with no ventilation?

What to Do If There is No Exhaust Fan in the Bathroom
  1. Opening the bathroom door while you shower or bathe. ...
  2. Adding a fan. ...
  3. Wiping walls and droplets. ...
  4. Cleaning up any puddles. ...
  5. Storing towels somewhere else. ...
  6. Using a dehumidifier. ...
  7. Taking cold showers. ...
  8. Leaving the shower curtain closed.

What happens if a bathroom doesn't have a vent?

Most areas have a building code requirement for either an openable, accessible window, or a fan. Without ventilation your bathroom will become moldy, which is a health hazard.

What can I use instead of a bathroom vent fan?

Small, portable dehumidifiers can be placed in the bathroom and used during and after your shower to reduce humidity. These can be used in conjunction with a whole home dehumidifier. As with all electric devices, for safety reasons, make sure that the dehumidifier is not located near your shower or other water source.

How to Vent a Bathroom Without a Window

How do you circulate air in a bathroom without a fan?

Leaving your bathroom door open will give hot air a chance to escape and circulate, rather than being contained in one area and increasing the likelihood of humidity and water droplets. If you're careful not to let water on the floor, leaving the shower door open is also not a bad option to keep humidity to a minimum.

Can you vent a bathroom through the floor?

Using a Floor Duct Vent

In bathrooms without outside access, duct vents can be used to ventilate bathrooms if ceiling venting is not possible. A floor duct vent is a special machine that uses floor grates to remove moisture and bad air from your bathroom.

Is there a bathroom fan that doesn't vent outside?

The installation of a recirculating exhaust fan is one of the easiest ways to vent a bathroom without an exterior exit. Recirculating fans filter the air via a set of charcoal or HEPA filters before releasing it back into the bathroom, in contrast to ordinary exhaust fans, which exhaust air outside.

Do bathrooms legally have to have a vent?

All municipalities have different requirements, but some do not draw a hard line on requiring exhaust fans. Bathroom ventilation is needed in those areas, but it can be from a window or fan—you choose. Building code is a model code that each community can adopt and adapt according to its needs.

How to ventilate a windowless bathroom?

In windowless bathrooms, use ventilation systems and dehumidifiers. Plants play a significant role in the bathroom, beyond their decorative function. Green plants are a real plus for a healthy indoor atmosphere as they act like a sponge, soaking up excess moisture.

How do I get rid of moisture in my bathroom without vents?

Wipe Down Tiles, Mop the Floor

Another way to remove humidity from your bathroom is to wipe down tiles and surfaces where condensation collects post-shower. Use a towel or cloth to remove any water left on tiles or in the shower and bathtub area. A squeegee is perfect to remove condensation on windows and mirrors.

How can I add ventilation to my bathroom?

DIY Methods to Improve Bathroom Ventilation
  1. Install a New Bathroom Exhaust Fan. An exhaust fan is the primary means of ventilating a bathroom. ...
  2. Bathroom Window Upgrade. ...
  3. Recirculating Fans. ...
  4. Inline Fans. ...
  5. Under-Floor Bathroom Venting. ...
  6. Soffits. ...
  7. Energy Recover Ventilators.

Can you put a ventless fan in the bathroom?

A ductless bathroom fan can perform the same job as a ducted bathroom fan but requires less space. Ductless bathroom fans come in a variety of style options and can be installed in any bathroom.

What is the best dehumidifier for a bathroom without a vent?

For very damp bathrooms, or ones without a vent fan the EDV-1100 is a great option, small enough to sit on the back of the toilet tank or on the counter. Using Peltier technology, it actively can remove up to 8 oz. of moisture per day at 86°F and 80% RH, in turn, this helps dry your towels and rugs faster post bathing.

How does a ductless bathroom vent work?

As their name implies, these fans don't connect to your home's HVAC ductwork. They work similarly to exhaust fans in that they expel air up through the fan installed in the ceiling. From there, they use a charcoal filter to weed out respiratory irritants before circulating the air back into your bathroom.

What are the options for bathroom ventilation?

The six best bathroom exhaust fan venting options are through the roof, exterior wall, soffit, HVAC ductwork, attic, or recirculating through a filter and back into the bathroom.

What if there is no ventilation in bathroom?

The air in your bathroom may feel heavy or muggy, and you may also notice a musty smell if you leave the door closed. Excess moisture The moisture stays in the air whenever you bathe or shower if you don't have a lot of ventilation, which can make your mirrors fog up.

Is flex duct ok for bathroom exhaust fan?

Yes, Flex ducts are a perfectly valid option to use a conduit for your bathroom exhaust fan.

Does a small bathroom need a vent?

Exhaust fans are required in bathrooms that don't have a window or if the window is smaller than 3 square feet. The window must also open.

How to vent a bathroom with no outside access?

How to vent a bathroom fan with no outside access
  1. Install a Ceiling Vent Fan: This type of fan recirculates the bathroom air within the house. ...
  2. Install a Floor Duct Vent: ...
  3. Install a Wall Vent Fan (if applicable): ...
  4. Maximize Natural Ventilation (as a supplement): ...
  5. Consider Alternative Moisture Control Measures:

Can you install a bathroom fan without venting to the outside?

Bathroom fan installation requires outside ventilation. If the bathroom exhaust fan or venting fan isn't accessible through an attic, you'll need to vent through a sidewall of your house.

Do ductless bathroom fans meet code?

Recirculating (ductless) exhaust fans are not allowed if mechanical ventilation of a space is required, but such fans are allowed in naturally ventilated spaces.

How much does it cost to put a vent in the bathroom?

Duct and Vent Installation

Your bathroom vent costs will depend whether you opt for a wall or roof installation. It costs $250 to $800 for a wall installation while roof installation costs a little more, ranging between $350 and $950.

How to add ventilation to a bathroom?

How to Install a Bathroom Vent Fan
  1. Step 1: Bath Vent Overview. ...
  2. Step 2: Drill a Reference Hole. ...
  3. Step 3: Mark the Ceiling. ...
  4. Step 4: Cut the Intake-Port Hole. ...
  5. Step 5: Position the Fan. ...
  6. Step 6: Attach the Fan to the Joists. ...
  7. Step 7: Cut a Duct Hole Through the Sidewall. ...
  8. Step 8: Attach the Exhaust Duct to the Wall Cap.

Can you vent a bathroom through a window?

Yes, you can install an exhaust fan in most bathroom windows.

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