A ventilation fan brings fresh air into a space, improving circulation, while an exhaust fan removes stale, humid, or polluted air, typically from kitchens or bathrooms. The key difference lies in airflow direction: ventilation fans pull outdoor air in, while exhaust fans push indoor air out.
They draw air out of the room entirely and expel it to the outside to accomplish this task. Therefore, exhaust fans must be connected to proper venting systems with adequate airflow. Ventilation fans also draw air from a space; however, they do not expel air outside.
"You should turn the fan on each time you run water in the bathroom and leave it running for about 20 minutes after you open the [bathroom] door," says Bayne. The most important time to do this is after you shower. If you're continually forgetting to turn it off, install a fan timer.
While a ceiling fan in bathroom ensures fresh air exchange, an exhaust fan actively tackles the specific issues related to indoor air quality by eliminating pollutants and excess moisture. In conclusion, an exhaust fan draws air out and a ceiling fan in bathroom brings fresh air in.
Exhaust fans are best for areas like kitchens and bathrooms, while ventilation fans are ideal for living spaces and offices. Consider room size: The size of the room will determine the capacity of the fan you need. Larger rooms may require more powerful fans to ensure efficient air movement.
Disadvantages of Exhaust Fans
Energy Consumption: Powerful exhaust fans may consume more energy, impacting electricity bills. Ducting Complexity: Installing ducted exhaust systems might pose challenges in certain spaces.
If you're looking for a fan that moves the most air, consider a large ceiling fan with a high blade pitch, a high-quality motor, and high RPM.
If it's just a small bathroom with a toilet and a shower, you may only need a 100 CFM fan. If you have a jetted tub and shower, you will likely need a 200 CFM fan. CFM is a measure of the fan's ability to move air.
A Cooler House
Attic fans remove warm air from the attic, and that can help keep the rest of your home cooler, too. Air from a hot attic can seep into your house and make your air conditioner work harder and more often.
Bathroom fans should always be vented to the outdoors. They pull the hot steamy air from your bathroom to prevent mold and rust in the bathroom. If that air is discharged into the attic, the moisture in the air will condense on cool surfaces in the fall and winter. Obviously, this will cause mold and rot.
Typically, an exhaust fan is placed in a room such as the kitchen or bathroom to remove stale, muggy or dirty air. As stated, exhaust fans work by removing unwanted odors, moisture, smoke and other pollutants in the air. When steam and moisture are in the air, it can cause mold to develop.
To adjust the CFM, you can change the speed of the blower or alter the ductwork size. Increasing the blower speed won't have much effect if a room's duct is too narrow. A 12' x 12' foot room is 144 square feet. You generally need at least 1 CFM per square foot, meaning that room's duct should have a 144 CFM capacity.
Excessive Usage Can lead to fire hazards and other problems
Bathroom exhaust fans should be used only when needed. If you have a high-capacity bathroom fan, you may use it multiple times each day.
This section states that vented air needs to be sent to the exterior and not into an interior space such as an attic. The fan minimum is 50 cubic feet per minute (cfm) intermittent or 20 cfm continuous.
It's important to learn the best practices for your bathrooms' exhaust fans. Removal of Moisture Every time a person takes a hot shower or bath, the bathroom's exhaust fan should be turned on. This fan will remove any moisture that's in the air by sucking it into a duct that will redirect it to a vent leading outside.
Well, depending on the size of your bathroom, the time may vary a little, but the general consensus is that leaving the fan running for about 20 minutes after a shower is long enough to remove the moisture from your bathroom.
Typically, bathroom exhaust fans have a lifespan of about 10 years, provided they receive proper care and maintenance. If you think you have a fan that's nearing the end of its functional life, read on to learn about the signs that indicate it's time for a replacement.
Moving air can remove heat from your home. Moving air also creates a wind chill effect that cools your body. Ventilation cooling is usually combined with energy conservation measures like shading provided by trees and window treatments, roof reflectivity (light-colored roof), and attic insulation.
To prevent moisture problems in your bathroom, you should turn on the bathroom fan when showering or taking a bath. The fan should be left running at least 30-54 minutes (or longer) afterwards to get rid of any excess moisture.
A fan that is too big can cause a bathroom to be cold and noisy. This is why calculating the correct CFM is important.
For those seeking top-tier performance, the Envirovent 100 Axial Silent Extractor Fan is our Editor's Pick, delivering powerful airflow with whisper-quiet operation. If you're budget-conscious but still want great quality, the Xpelair Simply Silent Bathroom Extractor Fan offers excellent value.
As a general rule of thumb, it's always a good idea to oversize your bathroom exhaust fan. This way you can be sure that your exhaust fan will be powerful enough to do its job without being so powerful that it's overkill.
For 7 to 9 feet high ceilings, a flush-mount fan or a downrod up to 6 inches in length is best to maintain proper clearance and airflow. A 12-inch downrod is ideal for 10-foot ceilings, while ceilings between 13 and 15 feet may require downrods ranging from 36 to 48 inches.
Three-blade fans are generally more efficient at moving air, resulting in better airflow. They often feature a sleek, modern look that fits contemporary decor. They are typically less expensive than fans with more blades.