Installation and selection of a fan for the bathroom and toilet

High air humidity, unpleasant odors in the bathroom and the bathroom, smoke from burnt food in the kitchen can ruin the mood of the apartment owners.

Sometimes correcting the situation will help the installation of additional devices that improve air exchange. Do I need to create forced ventilation and how to properly install exhaust fans in the bathroom will tell the article.

How does the air exchange problem arise

In modern multi-storey buildings, the installation of forced ventilation is being laid at the design and construction stage. A draft is created by a powerful fan installed on the technical floor or on the roof. Installation of additional equipment in apartments from residents is not required.

In most apartment buildings, airing is arranged differently.

Air flows in the exhaust ventilation of an apartment building

In the walls separating the apartment from the entrance there is a ventilation shaft with openings opening into the living quarters. The flow of air to draw odors and moisture creates a difference in temperature and atmospheric pressure on the first floors and on the roof. A stream of air rises, sucking in the smells of their toilet room, bathtub and kitchen. Fresh air flows into the apartment through loosely fitted wooden window frames, windows, entrance doors, and in modern houses through valves in plastic windows.

The human factor interferes with the proper operation of ventilation:

• Clogged or blocked ventilation ducts during construction (repair) work;
• Installation of cheap plastic windows without air inlets;
• Installation of doors with gaskets;
• Placement by neighbors at the entrance of powerful hoods that upset the balance of air flow;
• Rare preventive cleaning of ventilation ducts by a management company.

Inadequate ventilation results in:

• High humidity in the rooms;
• The appearance and reproduction of mold and fungus are the causes of dangerous allergic diseases. Finishing quickly becomes unsightly;
• In severe cases, a reverse draft appears, and odors from the mine enter the living room.

Mold on the ceiling due to insufficient ventilation

Installing exhaust fans in the bathroom is one way to solve the problem. Often agreeing with all neighbors and returning the ventilation to its original form is a difficult task.

How to check traction

You can check the draft from the apartment in two ways:

1. They open the door to the bathroom, and bring a lit lighter or match to the ventilation hole. If the flame is noticeably tilted toward the hole - there is traction.

Lighter traction test

2. An expanded napkin is brought to the ventilation hatch. If it is pulled and held on to the hole - there is also traction.

Important! When checking the draft, the hermetic bathroom door must be open.This will provide a natural flow of air from other rooms of the apartment.

Types of fans for the bathroom

In the premises of the bathrooms, three types of devices are used according to the principle of operation:

• axial;
• centrifugal;
• combined.

Axial

Air flows in this type of device move due to the rotation of the impeller blades, similar to a propeller or an airplane propeller. Air moves along the axis of the motor, thereby achieving cooling of the motor.

Axial exhaust fans

The advantages of axial fans:

• low noise level during operation, as the design allows precise balancing of parts;
• profitability.

Basically, the lineup is designed for small or medium sized bathrooms. Housings of household appliances are made of plastic, which allows you to give them design forms. Parts do not need corrosion protection.

The use of axial fans in domestic conditions is limited by low air exchange performance and efficiency (Efficiency), which does not allow the device to be used in large rooms.

Important! Airflow creates turbulence - this limits the length of the ducts (if used). The length of the horizontal section of the ventilation duct should not exceed 2.5-3 meters.

Radial

Radial, or centrifugal, type is used for air exchange in large volume bathrooms and combined bathrooms.

The air flow in such devices moves in the direction transverse to the engine.

Radial fan design

The efficiency of centrifugal fans is higher than that of models of similar power axial devices. Significantly higher performance and efficiency of the devices. At the same time, such models are often claimed due to increased noise.

Important! The fans on sale comply with the parameters established by the noise rules, but in some cases it can interfere with users.

Combined

Devices of a combined type combine in the design the principles of the previously considered devices, and, accordingly, their advantages and disadvantages.

How to choose according to technical parameters

Before going to a shopping center or to an online store website, you need to decide on the fan parameters that will meet the requirements for use in a particular room.

Important device parameters:

• air exchange;
• maximum noise level.

Both characteristics are usually dependent on engine power.

Air exchange

Acceptable humidity in the room can be maintained if the air changes with a frequency of 6-8 room volumes per hour, when using the bathroom with a family of 4 people.

You can find out the volume of a room by multiplying the geometric dimensions. The room 2.2x2.5x2.7 m has a volume of 14.8 m³. Therefore, for an eightfold air exchange, a device with a capacity of 120 m³ is suitable.

Attention! Fans provide air exchange only when the power is connected. When the network is turned off, the blades impede the movement of air. Eliminate the problem by installing an exhaust device whose geometric size is smaller than the opening of the ventilation duct, or by leaving a gap between the wall and the housing.

Noise level

According to SanPin standards, in apartment buildings it is allowed to mount devices with a noise level of up to 40 dB. The fan must satisfy these characteristics to avoid misunderstandings with neighbors and, first of all, for a comfortable rest of family members.

Power consumption

For large families, such a characteristic of the exhaust device as power consumption is important - because the fan will remain working for a long time. On average, fans with a capacity of up to 150 m3 / hour consume from 10 to 25 W / hour. The characteristic can be found on the packaging and in the technical data sheets of the purchased devices.

Additional options

It is important when choosing a model to consider additional functions.

Continuous rotation mode

The mode in which the impeller rotates constantly is convenient for frequent use of the bathroom. In standby state, the fan rotates at a slower speed, without making noise and saving energy. By the signal of the hydrostat - built-in or external - productivity increases, and air exchange is accelerated.

Timer

A circuit breaker (timer) is useful in families with young children. The device will turn off the device after a specified time, and also will not allow the fan to work in an empty apartment.

Hydrostat

The humidity sensor automatically turns the hood on and off, maintaining optimal air humidity.

a hydrostat (humidity sensor) automatically turns the fan on and off to maintain the optimum humidity level;

Motion Sensor

The device automatically connects a fan for the duration of a person's presence in the room. Often the option works in tandem with a timer. In this case, the device will turn off after a specified time, after the room has become free.

Important! Most models allow you to set the delay time for timers and motion sensors in manual mode. How to do this is written in the instruction manual.

Check valve in the design - is it necessary or not

Violations in the operation of ventilation lead to the appearance of backdraft - an unpleasant smell from the mine enters the premises of all the apartments of the entrance. You can reduce the consequences by purchasing a check valve fan.

Fan check valve

According to the control method, the valves are manual or automatic. The latter are considered more convenient - they overlap the exhaust hole immediately after the rotation of the impeller stops.

Silent fan design

The reasons for the loud fan operation are the movement of the air flow, noise from rotating mechanisms, improper installation of the device.

The faster the air flow, the louder the sound accompanying this process will be.

Important! Use fans whose outlet openings are close in size to the shape of the exhaust ducts. A large selection of equipment in stores helps to do this.

In the appliance itself, the engine, housing parts, bearings are noisy.

When choosing a device, pay attention to the reliability of mounting the motor and the presence of rubber bushings at the installation site.

Inspecting the case, they give preference to models in which it is solid. The minimum number of parts is an advantage when buying.

In the products of branded manufacturers installed ball bearings, silent during operation. In cheap models, the impeller shaft rotates in sliding bearings - bronze or brass bushings. This design quickly leads to vibrations and noise, which gradually become unbearable.

Important! Fans for installation on horizontal surfaces, equipped with thrust bearings, resistant to the forces that are applied in all planes.

Rating of manufacturing companies

Among the manufacturers of exhaust equipment for individual housing companies are leading:

• Mmotors JSC. Bulgaria;
• Era LLC, Russia;
• Soler & Palau, Spain;
• Elicent, Italy;
• CATA Electrodomesticos S.L, Spain.

Bestseller models

In the bathrooms of small and medium sizes, axial models are installed - low noise and energy efficient.

Powerful fans for a large bathroom

Powerful fans are suitable for maintaining moisture in a large bathtub.

Model Standard 4ETF

Era Standard 4ETF model is capable of providing air exchange of up to 100 m³ / h. Built-in photo timer, triggered by the inclusion of light in the bathroom.

Electrolux Premium EAF-150 - a device with a productivity of up to 320 m³ / hour. 25 watt motor. Installation in any plane is possible. The noise level of 35 dB is due to the installation of a powerful engine, which, however, is compensated by the short air cleaning time when turned on.

EBB-250 NS, manufacturer of Soler & Palau. Centrifugal type of appliances for large bathrooms and combined bathrooms. Two-speed engine, air exchange up to 270 m³ / h.

What model to buy

Reminder for choosing an exhaust fan (what to look for):

• Compliance of the characteristics of the air exchange to the size of the bathroom;
• Selection of the model at the installation site (duct, ceiling, invoice);
• Correspondence of the size of the fan outlet to the size of the hole in the wall;
• Positive customer reviews on the Internet;
• Build quality and noise level can be estimated at the stand in the shopping center.

In the home appliance store, models are presented at exhibition racks where you can see their work. If the exhibition copy is noisy, vibrates violently - refuse to buy. Check the build quality of the device - there should be no noticeable backlashes in the fastening of all parts.

How to install

From the correct installation of the exhaust device depends on performance, efficiency, noise during operation.

Channel Installation

Often, apartments of a modern building are equipped with ventilation ducts for ventilation of all rooms. Replacing and installing an exhaust fan in such cases is not difficult. Measure the diameter or geometric dimensions of the duct and select the appropriate fan, which is fixed using the supplied clamps.

Channel fan installation

Mounting in exhaust vents

For installation in exhaust hatches you will need:

• fan;
• drill with drill for concrete;
• screws with dowels;
• silicone sealant;
• electrical wires and switch;
• set of screwdrivers;
• ladder.

The work is performed in the following sequence:

1. Prepare a vent. Dismantle the old decorative grille. Clean the installation site from dust, dirt, the wall around the hatch. Free the hole from foreign objects, remove body fat and dirt to a possible depth.

Prepared place for fan installation

2. Expand the punch or reduce with the help of a solution of alabaster (gypsum) the seat, bringing the dimensions as close as possible to the fan outlet.
3. If the size of the hole allows, use a device with an additional grill through which the hood is drawn even when the power is turned off.
4. Wiring up.

Important! Bathroom - a room of increased danger. Wiring is carried out in strobes or dielectric cable channels.

Fan installation

Fan installation algorithm:

1. Remove the front panel from the device. Under it, you can see holes for mounting on the surface and terminals for connecting power.

Fan with cover removed, mounting holes and terminals visible

2. Mark the holes for the mount.
3. Drill the walls (suspended ceiling).

Important! For drilling ceramic tiles, special drills for ceramics and glass are used. The impact mode on the punch (drill) is not included. This will prevent enamel chips.

The use of mounting glue is impractical - during repairs it will be impossible to remove the fan without damaging the case.

4. Before installing the joints, it is recommended to treat with silicone sealant with antimicrobial, anti-mold additives.
5. After connecting the power, a decorative grill is installed.

Options for connecting the device to the mains

There are several options for turning on the fan - in the nearest junction box or to the outlet of the washing machine, to the light switch.

Manual control

The device not equipped with motion and humidity sensors can be connected:

• together with the inclusion of light in the bathroom;
• separate switch;
• connect light bulbs to the contacts.

In all these cases, the fan will remain on while the light in the bathroom is on.

Operation from a separate switch provides for separate lighting and exhaust control. To do this, you will have to replace the switch and conduct an additional wire.

A two-key switch is used, installed in place of a one-key. A double switch separately controls the lighting and the fan.

Automatically control the operation of the fan by built-in or external hydrostat, a timer with a motion and light sensor. In this case, an electrical wire is drawn from the nearest junction box to the fan.

A two-speed fan will also require the installation of additional switches.

Important! To implement the wiring diagrams, the ability to read electrical circuits and the ability to execute them on equipment are required. Given the increased danger of the premises and with a lack of experience in the field of electrical work, we recommend contacting a specialized organization.

Carry out the correct installation of the hood according to the strength of a person with experience in construction work, installation and connection skills of electrical appliances.

Objectively evaluate your knowledge and skills, consider the costs of the necessary tool and time to work.

Incorrect installation will exacerbate ventilation problems and will require costly rework. Proper installation will make life in an apartment or a private house more comfortable.