Every space needs proper air regulation, whether it's your home or a commercial location. A good ventilation system ensures quality air conditions and protects building materials from damage. 

Excess moisture and humidity can cause rotting and even lead to mould formation in places. To avoid this problem, consider investing in extractor fans. 

These appliances are designed to remove dampness and provide clean and filtered air. Here’s how you can find the best extractor fan for your space. 

What Is An Extractor Fan?

An extractor fan is a variation of an electric fan, and these extractor fans are mainly used in bathrooms, kitchens, or laundry rooms. Extractor fans are most commonly used in such locations because they extract odours, smoke, and moisture from the areas. 

There are several types of extractor fans, including axial, centrifugal, mixed flow and inline. The great thing about extractor fans is that they use little energy. Even the most powerful options make good use of electricity to provide comfort and convenience. 

Still, keep in mind that an extractor fan's electricity consumption depends on the product's brand and model. However, the highest wattage is typically under 40 watts, so you won’t have to worry about high energy bills.  

You can find commercial extractor fans if you’re thinking of large-scale installations. These have a higher air exchange capacity, making them perfect for commercial kitchens and industrial use. 

If you want to minimise your energy use, there are specially designed small extractor fans with low voltage features that reduce excess energy use. Despite their compact size, these extractor fans provide excellent air extraction qualities. 

Most households use larger extractor fans because they work best for bigger rooms with excessive moisture. Larger extractor fans also work best if smoke is a significant concern for the consumer. 

However, one important thing to remember is that the larger the extractor fan, the noisier the fan will be. Consider noise levels before purchasing and installing a large extractor fan. 

Some standard features of extractor fans include their size, voltage, noise level, and the fan’s ability to regulate temperature or humidity changes. Consider these factors when looking for the best extractor fan.  

Where Can You Use Extractor Fans?

As mentioned, extractor fans are ideal in areas retaining moisture and humidity. Two of the most common places where people install extractor fans include the bathroom and kitchen. Here’s how they work in these areas. 

The Bathroom

Bathrooms are a hotbed for high moisture levels and humidity. This can seem into the walls and lead to hazardous problems in the future. An extractor fan removes all the condensation and moisture in the bathroom, which can potentially lead to long-term damage. 

You must install an extractor fan if your bathroom has no outside window. Most domestic extractor fans can pull about 20 litres of air per second for a medium-sized bathroom. However, you can always opt for more powerful options to ensure the area is adequately ventilated. 

Most bathroom extractor fans come with an over-run timer that keeps the fan running for a set period after you’ve switched it off. This allows more control of the bathroom’s ventilation and energy use. 

The Kitchen

The kitchen is another area that requires proper ventilation. While many homeowners prefer using a cooker hood, these can make a lot of noise. It’s best to opt for silent extractor fans as they are efficient enough to remove moisture without creating noise pollution. 

Kitchen extractors fans are great at removing steam, smoke and harmful chemicals that can make cooking difficult. Too much of these can decrease your comfort level and make working difficult. This device is crucial for creating a hospitable environment in your kitchen. 

What Are The Different Types of Extractor Fans?

Not all extractor fans are built the same, so you must look at all the different things to find the right one for your space. Here are the three common types of extractor fans. 

Axial Extractor Fans

Axial extractor 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 extractor fans carry air over shorter distances, so they must be positioned near or close to the outside. 

Centrifugal Extract Fans

Centrifugal extractor fans are manufactured for rooms that don’t have exterior walls. Due to its design, centrifugal extractor fans can move high volumes of air at a longer distance. 

This extractor 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. 

Mixed Flow Extractor Fans

Mixed flow extractor fans are a combination of axial and centrifugal fans. These extractor fans have a much higher extraction rate and a longer length of ducts. 

Mixed flow extractor fans quickly move the air, extracting it from all bends and corners in the duct without affecting the fan's performance. 

These types of extractor fans are also silent, making them a much better extractor than centrifugal fans. Mixed flow extractor fans work best for commercial kitchens due to their quiet operation. 

Inline Extractor Fans

Inline extractor 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 extractor fans suck in air from such humid areas and blow it out through a vent. 

This vent in the inline extractor fans is placed either behind the inline extractor fans or above the ceiling. Inline fans work similarly to a kitchen exhaust hood. The difference is that the extractor fan removes moisture instead of smoke. 

Why Do You Need Extractor Fans?

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

Many building regulations and safety organisations encourage using extractor fans to remove significant dampness problems. 

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 countertops and other surfaces. 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. To avoid such issues, installing extractor fans is crucial. 

How To Choose The Best Extractor Fan?

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

Think About How You Want Your Fan To Operate

All extractor 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 extractor fan, look for one with a PIR sensor. These devices operate as soon as someone enters the bathroom. 

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

Consider The Air Exchange Rate

The best way to ensure you have a powerful bathroom extractor 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 extractor fan with a rate of 15L/s for domestic bathrooms. Larger or frequently used bathrooms may require a higher rate. 

Think About The Noise Level

Some extractor fans are very noisy when operating, which might become a significant issue for some consumers. High noise levels can also become loud enough to disturb neighbours. 

Often you won’t be able to detect this problem unless the fan is running. If you’re sensitive to noise levels, check the fan’s decibel level before purchasing. These many extractor fans with a low-noise feature that ensure silent running. 

Most manufacturers allow you to test the model before purchasing; however, it that’s not the case, they provide information on the decibel level to give you a better idea. 

Check The Exterior Grills

All extractor fans come with a set of exterior grills that helps in their operation, but you must choose between fixed or gravity grilles. 

Gravity grilles are designed with slats pushed open through the air extraction process. These slats are closed by gravity after the process, preventing backdrafts. 

However, gravity grilles can produce noise when working, especially if they’re placed underneath a bedroom window. If you’re looking for a noise-free option, consider fixed grilles, as they have a more streamlined design. 

Consider A Heat Recovery Option

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

These devices extract stale air from kitchens, bathrooms 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. 

Look At The Bathroom Zones

If you’re looking for a powerful bathroom extractor fan, consider the zones. Not all areas in a bathroom get equal amounts of moisture. Installing it according to zones is important to find the correct location for your extractor fan.  

The different bathroom extractor fan zones will help you determine the type of bathroom fan you should purchase. All electrical equipment, such as light fixtures and bathroom extractor 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 extractor fans. Here are three important zones to help you make the right choice. 

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

What Are The Best Extractor Fans?

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

Meteor carries a wide range of extractor products that keep your home humidity-free without taking up too much electricity. Here are some of the best extractor fans Meteor has to offer. 

1.     Xpelair Simply Silent Extractor Fan

One of the best options at Meteor includes the Xpelair Simply Silent Extractor Fan. This powerful extractor 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 Extractor Fan

This incredible extractor 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 Centrifugal Extractor Fan

If you’re looking for a powerful option that works well in various locations, choose the Xpelair centrifugal extractor fan. This device is engineered with quality materials and an adjustable mounting bracket for easier installation. 

With a robust extraction process, you can install this device in kitchens and bathrooms and even use it for commercial ventilation. Designed with a zinc-coated corrosion material, you can keep using this extractor fan for a long time.