Bathroom fans are seldom on our home improvement To-Do List. But, did you know that installing a new bathroom fan can greatly improve your indoor air quality, whisk away moisture, and may be mandated by local building codes?
Bathroom fans serve a purpose in circulating fresh air in our bathrooms, as well as improving odor, removing moisture, and reducing the risk of interior moisture damage.
What are the benefits of upgrading your bathroom fan? What are the improvements to fans? Discover why you should upgrade your bathroom fan in your home.
- Improved Air Quality Is Necessary for Bathrooms
- Building Codes Require Proper Ventilation
- Bigger Bathrooms Require More CFMs
- Quieter Operation Compared to Older Models
- Improved Functions and Design Features That Fit Your Life
- Still Have Questions?
Improved Air Quality is Necessary for Bathrooms
Bathrooms require proper air circulation, particularly for a room that can be tightly closed and frequently gets a lot of moisture.
You want to make sure your bathroom is receiving sufficient air, and replacing your old bathroom fan with a newer model will provide adequate air circulation, remove stale odors, and vent out stagnant air.
For bathrooms with frequent use, this exchange of fresh air is also a key point for removing mold spores, which can grow on fabrics and walls, deteriorating the structure of the home. Several bathroom fans are equipped with humidity sensors, switching on when humidity levels rise above preset levels.
Building codes require proper ventilation
In addition to improved air quality, providing adequate and proper ventilation is key. While regulations vary by state, building codes mandate bathroom fans for proper ventilation when a window is not accessible or practical.
Typically, fans can be vented through existing ductwork to soffits, an exterior wall, or roof. Further, building codes also carry a mandatory CFM air flow requirement (cubic feet per minute), which mandates the minimum air flow for bathrooms with no access to outside air.
An older model fan may not be functioning or providing adequate ventilation, which is easily remedied with a new fan.
Bigger bathrooms require more CFMs
Bigger bathrooms with significant square footage require a bathroom fan that is capable of whisking away moisture.
The bigger the square footage of the bathroom, the more efficient the fan should be at circulating the air.
According to the Home Venting Institute (HVI), a bathroom with less than 50 square feet requires only 50 cubic feet per minute of airflow (CFM), or just 7.5 air changes per hour. For rooms between 50 - 100 square feet, they need one cubic foot per minute of airflow. For every toilet, shower, or combo, add 50 CFMs. An upgraded bathroom fan will be able to sufficiently provide air circulation for eliminating moisture.
Our blog, 5 Things to Consider When Buying a Bathroom Fan, further explains the requirements for sizing a bathroom for a new bathroom fan.
Quieter operation compared to older models
Improving on design and operation, the newest models of fans are constructed to operate efficiently with less noise. Bath fan noise is measured in sones, with the least amount of sones providing the quietest operation.
Sones 1.5 or less provide the quietest operation. Outdated or standard fans may carry higher sones, whereas newer models are more proficient at providing a near-silent operation.
Improved Functions and Design Features That Fit Your Life
In addition to built-in humidity sensors and quieter operation, several bathroom fans on the market advertise amenities and functions that also improve your bathroom and life.
There are fans that feature built-in lights and dimmers capable of lighting your entire bathroom. Further, built-in heaters provide ample warmth via a heating element, and motion sensors control everything from fan operation to night lights triggered by movement.
Still Have Questions?
Selecting a new bathroom fan that fits your lifestyle and requirements can be confusing. You want the best for your investment. Our site offers fans with built-in lights, humidity sensors, motion sensors, and built-in heaters.
Call us at 1-800-934-9194 to discuss your specific requirements and preferences for your next bathroom fan, or to discuss our ventilation fans.
