Keeping a balanced temperature throughout your home is challenging, especially when the layout doesn't allow quick and easy solutions.
If you use a mini-split or wall heater, you may notice that the room with the air handler is a perfect temperature, but neighboring rooms are not nearly as comfortable. Installing a through-the-wall ventilation fan could be the best answer, as it makes both spaces more comfortable without needing to install multiple expensive appliances.
Read on in this Room to Room Fans Buying Guide for some factors to consider and Sylvane's top recommended brands.
- What is a Room to Room Transfer Fan?
- Key Factors to Consider
- Installation and Maintenance
- Top Fan Brands
- FAQs About Room to Room Fans
What is a Room to Room Transfer Fan?
A room to room fan transfers air from one room to an adjoining room to stabilize room temperatures, reducing energy consumption by distributing heat more evenly throughout a house. Depending on the direction it faces, the room to room transfer fan acts as either a supply fan or exhaust fan, pushing air in one direction. This is especially helpful for rooms that otherwise don't have any ventilation, like pantries, laundry rooms, workshops, offices, rec rooms, utility closets, and more. Introducing fresh air into a room with limited or nonexistent airflow helps remove stale air while keeping you comfortable in your home.
If you want more information on why it's important to keep your home properly ventilated, or if you want to bring outside air into your home, look at Sylvane's Why Ventilate? article for a breakdown of the different types of ventilation fans.
Key Factors to Consider
- Fan Speed Options: A single-speed, through-wall room to room fan will give consistent results without worrying about adjusting any controls. If your rooms sometimes require a stronger push of airflow, then make sure to look at fans with multiple fan speeds for a more customized operation.
- Sizing Requirements: Make sure you select a fan that will properly deliver the CFM airflow, as they can range from 70 to 250 CFM. Also, check how much square footage it covers to best fit your space.
- Installation Location: Because this room to room ventilator fan moves air from one room to another, it must be installed on an inner wall only, not on an outside wall. These fans are also not designed for use in humid locations, such as kitchens and bathrooms.
Installation and Maintenance
Installation by a qualified technician, installer, or electrician is required for a through-the-wall ventilation fan, as improperly installed products can void the warranty or cause damage or harm. This will also ensure adherence to applicable codes and standards.
Annual maintenance is recommended to remove dust from the exterior surfaces using a dry or slightly damp soft cloth or a vacuum cleaner. Consult your owner's manual for more information about cleaning requirements.
Top Fan Brands
Broan
As a reliable name in the ventilation system industry, Broan Room to Room Fans are a premier choice in residential spaces, featuring an easy installation process to remove smoke, cooking odors, and humidity in living areas, kitchens, workshops, and more. The Broan 512M Through-The-Wall Ventilation Fan provides 70 CFM airflow in spaces up to 65 square feet. Unlike other room to room fans, this fan can be installed in outside walls with its durable galvanized steel construction to protect against the elements, so it's a perfect addition for spot ventilation near a car, workbench, or other garage spaces.
Suncourt
Suncourt, a family-owned business in Iowa, designs products that improve air quality while maintaining energy efficiency. With two fan speeds delivering up to 195 CFM airflow, the Suncourt ThruWall 2-Speed Room to Room Fan moves the air to keep the neighboring room cool or warm. This Suncourt room to room fan reaches only 2.5 sones at the highest speed, running in the background without interrupting your day-to-day routine.
Tjernlund
Tjernlund Products is a family-run business that engineers American-made, top-quality products to solve ventilation, heating/cooling, and exhaust problems. The Tjernlund AireShare Room to Room Transfer Fan delivers 75 CFM airflow from one room to another, changing the temperature by up to 3 degrees F per hour. It's ideal for rooms approximately 150 square feet in size, with a sleek panel covering the inner workings, and reaches a noise level of only 1.5 sones for quiet background operation.
FAQs About Room to Room Fans
How can I use a room to room fan to improve air circulation?
Adding a room to room fan helps balance the temperature of a room that is too cold or too hot with air from an adjacent room. Whether your preferred space has a wall heater or fireplace for added warmth, or a window AC or mini-split to keep cool, the room to room fan transfers that air into the adjoining room for an easy solution instead of buying another separate appliance.
Where should I place a room to room fan?
A room to room fan works best in rooms with a fireplace, wood stove, wall heater, window air conditioner, or mini-split, so it can push cool or warm air into the neighboring space for consistent comfort.
For installation location, these fans are usually mounted near the top of the shared wall of two rooms.
How do you move air between rooms?
Moving air between rooms does not have to be a complicated process. Install a room to room fan, also known as a through-wall transfer fan, to strategically direct airflow from one room into another that needs more ventilation.
Do I need a Room to Room Fan?
If you have rooms in your home that are consistently cooler or warmer than others, installing a room to room fan helps balance those temperatures and keep your home a comfortable environment for you and your family.
Are you still trying to figure out the best room to room fan for you? Call our team of product experts at 1-800-934-9194. We want to help you make your home or business comfortable and healthy.
