-  Why should I install an exhaust fan?
-  What should I look for when purchasing an exhaust fan?
-  What size exhaust fan do I need?
-  How do I work out what size exhaust fan I need?
-  Where do I position my exhaust fan?
-  Can I install an exhaust fan myself?
-  Be warm with Thermalite

Why should I install an exhaust fan?
Bathrooms, laundries and kitchens are particularly prone to moisture problems caused by high humidity. Every time you run hot water, you create steam. That steam penetrates every crevice, and soon cools down and turns to water resulting in condensation. This feeds mold, mildew and even in some cases can contribute to structural rot. It is important to provide some means of expelling the moist air along with any potentially unpleasant odours which may form. To expel humid air before it has the chance to condense, every bathroom needs ventilation, in most cases the best ventilation for a bathroom/laundry or kitchen is an exhaust fan.

What should I look for when purchasing an exhaust fan?
Most new homes come with some form of adequate exhaust system, however in older homes often there is either no form of ventilation at all or the exhaust fan provided is underpowered. When buying a new ventilation fan, be sure to check its rating for air movement, which is measured by cubic feet per minute (CFM). For an average-size bathroom, the minimal requirement is 80 CFM.

What size exhaust fan do I need?
The size or capacity of the exhaust fan you need is determined by the type of room it is to be installed in, as different rooms require different rates of air flow. The rate of air flow is determined by the number of complete changes of air within the room per hour.

For example
   >  A bathroom without shower has 6-8 changes of air per hour
   >  A bathroom with a shower has 15-20 changes of air per hour.

Remember, if you have a steam room, sauna, or hot tub, you will need to increase the size of the fan to compensate for additional moisture.

How do I work out what size exhaust fan I need?
To determine the minimum capacity of fan required, calculate the volume of the room (length x width x height) then multiply by the recommended number of air changes required. Then choose an exhaust fan with an air extraction value that will accommodate your size room.

For Example
An average size bathroom with a shower of 3 metres (length) x 3 metres (width) x 3 metres (height) x 15 (average changes or air per hour) = 405m3/h required.

See below for the air extraction value on products that are sold in Beacon Lighting stores, or alternatively click on any of the products below to shop online.

Where do I position my exhaust fan?
For an exhaust fan to perform at maximum effiency, it’s vital that the exhaust fan has access to a balanced airflow. This means that the volume of air being exhausted by the fan must be matched by that flowing into the room. The best source of this in-flowing air is fresh air either from a window, vent or grille in a door or exterior wall, whatever the position its important to position the exhaust fan opposite this source of in-flowing air to encourage a cross-breeze which is essential to clear vapour and odours.

It’s important not to position an exhaust fan too close to a door/window as this will provide air circulation at the door/window but have little or no effect on the rest of the room.
For ventilation of bathrooms with a shower it’s recommended to use a ducted in roof mounted exhaust fan. This allows the extract grille to be installed directly above the shower for maximum efficiency whilst maintaining electrical safety with the fan being remote from any water spray.

 

Can I install an exhaust fan myself?
We always recommend a licensed electrician install any electrical fitting unless the product is marked as Do-It-Yourself.

Be warm with Thermalite
Beacon Lightings range of Thermalites combine heat globes, an exhaust fan and a light to provide a gentle radiant heat, a light and an exhaust fan all in one sleek compact unit, these are particularly useful in avoiding being cold when you get out of the shower in the middle of winter.

Beacon Lightings range of Thermalites combine heat globes, an exhaust fan and a light to provide a gentle radiant heat, a light and an exhaust fan all in one sleek compact unit, these are particularly useful in avoiding being cold when you get out of the shower in the middle of winter. Shop our range of Thermalite bathroom heaters online