Bathrooms produce a lot of moisture and retain water for a long time. This dampness can seep into walls and deteriorate the building structure. In more severe cases, excessive moisture can create mildew and mould, which is terrible for human health. 

The best way to ventilate a bathroom is by using exhaust fans. These fans extract moisture and leave you with clean, dry air. If you want to invest in bathroom exhaust fans, here’s everything you need to know to get started.

Are Exhaust Fans Necessary In Bathrooms?

One of the main functions of exhaust fans is removing steam and humidity. Before installing exhaust fans, it is crucial to understand how these two particles affect your living space. 

The leading causes of dampness include rising and penetrating dampness. These come from an outside source and take up space in your home through steam and humidity. It condenses as soon as steam and moisture come into contact with cold bathroom surfaces. 

When condensation happens over a long period, mould grows on your bathroom surfaces. Decay occurs because cooler air cannot hold high amounts of water vapour; therefore, it condenses back into liquid water. 

Think of the water left behind in your bathroom after a shower. This water seeps into your walls, windows, or even nearby rooms creating mould problems. This mould damages walls and floors and leaves a musty smell behind. 

Once mould appears, it's challenging to eliminate, damaging your home and health. Long-term exposure to mould microbes and spores is hazardous to human health. This causes irritation, and you might experience coughing, sneezing, and skin rashes. 

If you experience respiratory problems, mould can amplify your symptoms leading to serious health complications. 

Exhaust Fans Are The Best Solution 

As mentioned before, the best way to avoid this problem is by using exhaust fans. The fans remove moisture-laden air from your shower, bath, and sink before the water vapour condenses into a liquid, creating mould. 

When hot steam is released, the exhaust fan pulls out the moisture into a duct which is connected to a vent opening. Once the moisture-laden air is pulled outside, drier and fresher air circulates through the room. 

Investing in exhaust fans is crucial even in regions with a milder climates. While most homeowners prefer installing complete house ventilation systems for a constant flow of fresh and filtered air, you can also use exhaust fans for a similar purpose. 

Instead of ventilating the entire house, an exhaust fan provides individual rooms with clean and fresh air.   

What Are The Three Types of Exhaust Fans?

Not all exhaust fans are built the same, so you must look at everything to find the right one for your bathroom. Here are the three common types of exhaust fans. 

Axial Exhaust Fans

Axial exhaust fans move the air upwards, creating an air pressure difference that forces air to flow through the fan. Due to its smaller size and silent noise feature, axial fans are commonly used in toilets, bathrooms, and other smaller rooms. 

You can install this variety into walls and have direct access to the outside. These types of exhaust fans carry air over shorter distances, so they must be positioned near or close to the outside. 

Centrifugal Exhaust Fans

Centrifugal exhaust fans are manufactured for rooms that don’t have exterior walls. This exhaust fan works by spinning air outwards with the help of centrifugal force. 

The air gets rid of moisture due to the fan wheel being mounted onto a rod. The centrifugal force is created when the wheel propels the movement of fan blades. 

These fans have a much higher extraction rate than axial fans; however, centrifugal fans are far noisier. Since they have a high extraction rate, centrifugal fans are typically used in large bathrooms, kitchens, and storage or utility rooms. 

Inline Exhaust Fans

Inline exhaust fans are often placed in ceilings above the room and run silently. These fans are perfect for bathrooms that require long ducting. You can also install inline fans in rooms without an external wall or areas with noise pollution. 

Inline fans remove humidity and moisture from the bathroom and other areas in a streamlined process. The inline exhaust fans suck in air from such humid areas and blow it out through a vent. This vent in the inline exhaust fans is placed either behind the inline exhaust fans or above the ceiling. 

Inline fans work similarly to a kitchen exhaust hood. The difference is that the exhaust fan removes moisture instead of smoke. 

Which Type Works Best For A Bathroom?

With so many options, you might wonder which is perfect for the bathroom. The best choice for most bathrooms is inline exhaust fans. 

Inline exhaust fans are most commonly used in this area because it's the perfect environment to put your inline fans to good use. Regardless of the regional climate, inline bathroom exhaust fans are necessary for all bathrooms. 

Moisture leads to severe household problems, such as mould, mildew, and dry rot. These problems cost several pounds in repairs and, in some cases, lead to the collapse of your roof. 

Inline bathroom exhaust fans are crucial to regulating your bathroom’s air. These devices remove moisture in the bathrooms to free your area of mildew and mould. 

Hot water taps and showers release vapour into the air, leading to significant damage. Inline exhaust fans remove the steam from the air, leaving you with clean, dry air. 

Different Methods of Installing Bathroom Exhaust Fans

There are several options when it comes to choosing a shower exhaust fan. Here are some of the most common types of shower exhaust fans. 

Ceiling Mount: A ceiling-mounted shower fan is one of the most common options. This type of fan works by connecting to an exhaust duct above the bathroom.

Wall Mount: Consumers often use a wall mount exhaust fan when the ceiling option is impractical. A wall-mounted shower fan extracts inside air directly outside without the need for additional ductwork and piping.

Inline: Inline exhaust fans are installed in a separate location that fits into the ductwork in the attic. You would usually install a grill connecting the bathroom ceiling to the rest of the system. 

Window Mount: This shower exhaust fan is inserted into the window unit like a window-mounted air conditioner. Due to this installation, window exhaust fans are not a popular option.

How To Choose The Right Shower Exhaust Fan?

Even in one category of exhaust fan, there are several options to choose from. Here are some essential factors to consider when choosing an exhaust fan for your bathroom. 

Think About How You Want Your Fan To Operate

All exhaust fans come with multiple operating modes depending on your needs. Most fans can be turned on manually through a cord switch or remote control. Some fans also use a timer to turn off after a set period. 

If you want even more control over a bathroom exhaust fan, look for one with a PIR sensor. These devices operate as soon as someone enters the bathroom. 

Alternatively, some advanced exhaust fans have humidity sensors that operate according to the moisture level of the bathroom air. 

Install According To Bathroom Zones

Not all areas in a bathroom get equal amounts of moisture. To find the correct location for your exhaust fan, installing it according to zones is essential. The different bathroom exhaust fan zones will help you determine the type of bathroom fan you should purchase. 

All electrical equipment, such as light fixtures and bathroom exhaust fans, have an IP rating that clearly defines their suitable zone for installation.

An IP rating defines the resistance against solid items and liquid/moisture. The higher the ingress number, the greater the level of protection. 

Use this measurement when placing your exhaust fans. Here are three critical zones to help you make the right choice. 

Zone 1: This is the shower and the area vertically 2.25m above the bath. If installing an exhaust fan in the zone,  look for an appliance with a minimum IP45 rating. If you want a powerful option, get an exhaust fan with an IP65 rating.

Zone 2: This is the area from 0.6m from Zone 1. This zone should have an IP rating of at least IP44.

Zone 3: No IP rating is required as there is no water exposure in these areas.

Check The Air Exchange Rate

The best way to ensure you have a powerful bathroom exhaust is by measuring its’ air exchange rate. This rate is measured in either metres cubed per hour or litres per second (L/s). 

The extraction rate is crucial as it shows how much air is removed when the fan is operational. Most building regulations look for an exhaust fan with a rate of 15L/s for domestic bathrooms. Larger or frequently used bathrooms may require a higher rate. 

Consider A Heat Recovery Option

Some exhaust fans are prone to overheating, damaging their components and reducing their lifespan. Some of the best exhaust fans come with a heat recovery option to avoid this issue. 

These devices extract stale air from shower rooms, bathrooms, kitchens, and utility rooms and pass it through a heat exchanger. When fresh air is brought in, it is filtered through the exchange, recycling the heat.

Consider The Size

When it comes to exhaust fans, there are several sizes to choose from.  If you install a new exhaust fan into an existing space, the fan size will be the same. But if you’re renovating and designing a new space, you need to find the right exhaust fan according to the size of your space

To start, you need to measure the size of your shower area or bathroom. With the tape measure, note your bathroom's height, width and length. This measurement will give you an idea of how powerful the exhaust fan needs to be. 

The ideal size range for a shower exhaust fan lies between the 4 to 6-inch range. This measurement gives you a better idea of what to look for when choosing a shower fan. 

Important Tips For Installing Bathroom Exhaust Fans

If you’ve decided to install an exhaust fan, here are some essential installation tips to make the process easier for you.

Choose The Type Of Fan

Exhaust fans come in a wide variety of options that affect their function. Each type could affect how the exhaust fan operates and performs its functions. 

With the invention of automated products, you can also choose between automatic or self-regulating fans. Check the fan’s voltage as well to decide if it’s worth getting or not. 

Think Of The Fan’s Size

As mentioned before, the fan’s size is crucial not just for how its functions but also for its installation. 

You need to make sure the size is compatible with your space. If you’re installing a brand new fan, you can make some adjustments; however, if you’re replacing it with another, you need to match it to the hole size. 

Be Mindful Of Existing Cables And Water Pipes

Before you begin wall mounting the fan, make sure there are no water pipes behind it, especially if you’re renting your property. Without checking for them, you can cause serious damage that will be costly to repair. 

In some cases, there are also cables situated behind walls, so look for them as well. You can use a cable detector to scan the walls for any of these components. 

Plan The Ducting Route

Most exhaust fans require ducting that takes the extracted air outside. The ducting route should be as short and straight as possible to ensure your system works efficiently. Avoid creating unnecessary bends that may increase the ventilation process. 

What Are The Best Exhaust Fans For Bathrooms?

With so many options to choose from, it can be difficult to narrow down the right exhaust fan for you. If you’re looking for high-quality exhaust fans, visit Meteor Electrical. 

Meteor carries a wide range of exhaust products that keep your home humidity-free without taking up too much electricity. These exhausts are the best of their kind, offering silent running without decreasing their efficiency. 

Here are some of the best exhaust fans Meteor has to offer. 

1. Xpelair Simply Silent Exhaust Fan

One of the best options at Meteor includes the Xpelair Simply Silent Exhaust Fan. This powerful exhaust device features an over-run timer for better operation and is also compatible with a sensor device. 

You can toggle the timer between seconds to 30 minutes. The Xpelair fan is highly efficient and uses Ghost Air Movement technology for silent running. 

This is an excellent option for almost any bathroom as it works at an exchange rate of 15L/s or 21L/s. This device allows you to enjoy powerful air circulation with excess energy charges. 

1. iCon Eco Exhaust Fan

This incredible exhaust fan is stylish and functional, making it ideal for many installations. Despite the compact size, the iCon Eco fans deliver powerful extraction qualities that work well for bathroom and shower rooms. 

With an air extraction rate of 18 litres per second, this fan creates a hospitable environment in your bathroom.

1. Xpelair Simply Silent Shower Exhaust Fan

If you’re looking for an integrated shower exhaust, this Xpelair model is a great option. This shower exhaust can easily fit into your ceiling without taking up too much space in the bathroom. 

Alongside this fan, you will find flexible ducting and a white external grille to make installation easier. 

Designed with Ghost Air Movement technology, you can keep this fan running without worrying about noise pollution. You can operate this fan with a remote switch or sensor for better functionality. Use the integral timer feature to clean your shower air, moisture, and humidity.