At its core, a bathroom exhaust fan is designed to keep bathrooms dry and odour-free. Oftentimes, homeowners take the benefits of a bathroom exhaust fan for granted. From sinks to showers and toilets to tubs, bathrooms are inherently wet and smelly. That’s why addressing the humidity and odours that often linger in the bathroom with a bathroom exhaust fan is crucial to maintaining a healthy home.
Meet the Culprits: Understanding Bathroom Humidity and Moisture
Without proper ventilation in your bathroom, moisture, humidity, mould, and other pollutants can wreak havoc on your bathroom. In any bathroom, there are three main sources of humidity:
- Showering and bathing
- Hand and face washing
- Wet towels and bathmats
Uncontrolled humidity can have major impacts on home structures and health. Poor ventilation, or none at all, will create the ideal conditions for mould and bacteria to grow. Without proper ventilation, mould can grow on tile grout, drywall and wood, damaging the structural integrity of your bathroom and home. Dealing with these issues is never easy and almost always costly. On top of that, mould and mildew growth can severely affect your health. Exposure to mould spores can cause allergic reactions, skin issues, and respiratory issues.
The Benefits of a Bathroom Exhaust Fan
That is why a bathroom exhaust fan is essential to your home. Bathroom exhaust fans maintain air circulation and remove any excess moisture that would otherwise cause mould. Bathroom exhaust fans will also protect the structural integrity of your bathroom, avoiding damage to walls, ceilings, and fixtures. In addition to preventing structural damage, mould, and unwanted health issues, bathroom exhaust fans will enhance the overall air quality in a home. Bathroom fans are equipped to remove bad odours and other air pollutants while promoting a more comfortable and relaxing bathroom environment.
How to Choose the Right Bathroom Exhaust Fan
When choosing a bathroom exhaust fan, it’s important to consider the following factors:
- Size and airflow capacity
- Noise level
- Ventilation type
- Energy efficiency
- Features and controls
Begin by assessing your bathroom’s size to determine what airflow capacity your new fan will need. Next, many fans are rated by sones, which indicate the fan’s noise level. The lower the sone rating, the quieter the fan will be. When choosing a bathroom exhaust fan, consider selecting a fan with a sone rating of 2 or below for a peaceful and calm bathroom environment. There are two main ventilation types: ducted and ductless. Ducted fans are more effective at removing odour and humidity, making them the best choice for bathrooms.
When reviewing bathroom exhaust fans, look for fans with the ENERGY STAR label, indicating that the fan meets strict energy guidelines. Lastly, bathroom exhaust fans come with a variety of features and controls. Some of the most sought-after features include adjustable fan speeds, automatic sensors, and automatic timers. Some fans even have lighting features for added functionality.
Remember that a bathroom exhaust fan is essential to your home. Not only will it improve the air quality in your bathroom, but it also prevents mould and damage to the walls, ceilings and other fixtures and prevents unwanted health issues like allergic reactions, skin issues, and respiratory issues.
AJ’s Electrical serves customers across Vancouver and the Lower Mainland, helping them with their electrical needs. Their expert team has over 60 years of combined experience. They know what it takes to ensure safety, functionality, and efficiency for your home.
