Extractor/humidity fan

Ukman · Jan 12, 2022

Looking for a great fan/humidity for a small bathroom. There is a window but wife and kids love hot showers and baths, so steam can build.

What best extractor fan would help limit humidity and steam in room to avoid mold build up.

Current old extractor fan is within a zone 3 area and would love to use current location due to hole in wall.

Richard-the-Ninth · Jan 12, 2022

You can have as big an extractor fan as you like, it will not work effectively unless you have a way for air to get into the room. Has your bathroom got such a way? (If not, it may be the reason you think you need a new fan.)

Allow me to explain:
An often forgotten fact with extractor fans is that they just push air in a specific direction (Usually along a pipe) but in order to do this they need to have new air to push out the old air. If the door to the room is shut (Typical for a bathroom) then it is often the case that new air can not get in fast enough, so the current air with moisture in it can not be sent out quick enough. There are several solutions. 1) Trim 1-2 cm off the bottom of the bathroom door. 2) Put air vents in the door. 3) Leave the door ajar. 4) Open a window in the bathroom opposite the fan.
Now you know why fans seem to work better AFTER you have had a shower, as you often open the door (Even slightly)

Murdoch · Jan 12, 2022

don’t waste your money on humidity fans.

timer fans with the over run set long and make sure there is sufficient airflow under the door too

steptoe · Jan 12, 2022

Murdoch said:
don’t waste your money on humidity fans.

timer fans with the over run set long and make sure there is sufficient airflow under the door too

Why not,?
Humidity fans are excellent when some folks in the house refuse/forget/CBA turning the fan on.

Sparksfly · Jan 13, 2022

Timer fan here as well (manrose etc). Usually timer set short so you have more control via light switch left on for longer etc.... Does the bathroom have a window ? if so open that as well to purge the steam out. if not a continuous or trickle vent fan with pull cord, it runs 24/7 in low mode pull cord when showering Nuair Genie X or Greenbrook have had good results, you pay more for quality though. In-line options too the more powerful the greater the noise!!.

binky · Jan 13, 2022

steptoe said:
Why not,?
Humidity fans are excellent when some folks in the house refuse/forget/CBA turning the fan on.

I've fitted one or two, but find setting them so they work when needed, but without running virtually all the time is a right ballache, so gave up on them years ago.