Which Exhaust Fan Should You Buy
There are so many exhaust fans on the market these days that it is very difficult to know which one to buy. Do you need a 6€ ventilation fan or a 4€ one? Should it be mains voltage or low voltage? Does it need to be installed into the ceiling, the wall or the window? How noisy is 35dB? What accessories do I need? Can I install it myself? These are just some of the questions you are confronted with when you come to buy an extractor fan.
Firstly, building regulations in the UK require that all new bathrooms, shower rooms, utility rooms, toilets and kitchens are fitted with mechanical ventilation to stop the build up of mould and damp. Generally speaking, in a bathroom or toilet only a 4€ fan is required, but in a utility room or kitchen, a 6€ fan is required. This is because 6€ fans are generally more powerful than 4€ fans, and kitchens and utility rooms require higher extraction rates that bathrooms or toilets. Kitchens require an extract rate of 60 litres per second, utility rooms require 30 litres per second, and toilets, bathrooms etc. require a fan with an extract rate of 15 litres per second.
9€ fans and larger are generally used for commercial and industrial applications only.
As for whether you need mains or low voltage, that depends on how near to a water source the exhaust fan will be. Bathrooms are divided into zones: Zone 0 is inside the bath or shower base, and no extractor fan can be installed there. Zone 1 extends 2.25m from the base of the bath or shower, and if an extractor fan is to be installed there it must be low voltage. Zone 2 extends 60cm around zone 1, and also around the sink; again low voltage fans must be installed in this zone. In both cases, the transformers for the fans must be installed outside of zones 0,1 or 2. If installing a fan outside of zone 2, a mains voltage fan can be fitted.
It's generally best to install an extractor fan into a wall or window so that the air can be extracted directly outside. If installing into a ceiling it's best to go for a more powerful or centrifugal fan, as fans lose power the longer the duct run, and even more so if there are bends in the duct. Often a separate window kit is required if installing into a window.
As for the noise levels, for 4€ fans, anything under 25dB can be classed as almost silent, 25dB-35dB is mid range, and 35dB to 45dB are amongst the noisier fans on the market.
You may need some solid or flexible ducting (4€ for 4€ fans, 6€ for 6€ fans etc), an exterior grille, and some duct clamps to attach the ducting to the fan and the grille.
All electrical installations should be carried out by a fully qualified electrician, so do not attempt this yourself!
For examples, please see Exhaust Fan or Ventilation Fans.
Firstly, building regulations in the UK require that all new bathrooms, shower rooms, utility rooms, toilets and kitchens are fitted with mechanical ventilation to stop the build up of mould and damp. Generally speaking, in a bathroom or toilet only a 4€ fan is required, but in a utility room or kitchen, a 6€ fan is required. This is because 6€ fans are generally more powerful than 4€ fans, and kitchens and utility rooms require higher extraction rates that bathrooms or toilets. Kitchens require an extract rate of 60 litres per second, utility rooms require 30 litres per second, and toilets, bathrooms etc. require a fan with an extract rate of 15 litres per second.
9€ fans and larger are generally used for commercial and industrial applications only.
As for whether you need mains or low voltage, that depends on how near to a water source the exhaust fan will be. Bathrooms are divided into zones: Zone 0 is inside the bath or shower base, and no extractor fan can be installed there. Zone 1 extends 2.25m from the base of the bath or shower, and if an extractor fan is to be installed there it must be low voltage. Zone 2 extends 60cm around zone 1, and also around the sink; again low voltage fans must be installed in this zone. In both cases, the transformers for the fans must be installed outside of zones 0,1 or 2. If installing a fan outside of zone 2, a mains voltage fan can be fitted.
It's generally best to install an extractor fan into a wall or window so that the air can be extracted directly outside. If installing into a ceiling it's best to go for a more powerful or centrifugal fan, as fans lose power the longer the duct run, and even more so if there are bends in the duct. Often a separate window kit is required if installing into a window.
As for the noise levels, for 4€ fans, anything under 25dB can be classed as almost silent, 25dB-35dB is mid range, and 35dB to 45dB are amongst the noisier fans on the market.
You may need some solid or flexible ducting (4€ for 4€ fans, 6€ for 6€ fans etc), an exterior grille, and some duct clamps to attach the ducting to the fan and the grille.
All electrical installations should be carried out by a fully qualified electrician, so do not attempt this yourself!
For examples, please see Exhaust Fan or Ventilation Fans.
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