Exhaust fan in the bathroom. Exhaust fans for bathrooms - how to choose the best

In the bathroom, humidity is always increased. This is not surprising: the active use of water and often the small size of the premises contribute to the creation of just such - the raw - microclimate.
  But you don’t have to put up with this: high humidity is an excellent environment for the reproduction of fungi and mold. This is not only not aesthetically pleasing (although black patina on a new tile or a snow-white bathroom will definitely not please), but also harmful for people who often use this room and breathe such air.

Opening the door for airing is not always convenient, and the windows in the bathrooms are rare. but by itself it is ineffective. Moreover, over time, it is clogged, and it is very reluctant to clean the responsible services. That is why the bathrooms are installed fans - small devices that accelerate air circulation. Thanks to them, the humidity in the bathroom goes away.

Fans for the bathroom: what are?

Everyone who decides to buy a fan in his bathroom is faced with a choice of dozens of products. They differ not only in size and design. First of all, the fans differ in the principle of operation.

There are the following types of devices:

• axial;
• radial;
• centrifugal.

In an axial fan, the motor is the axis itself. Blades are mounted on it, which, rotating, move the air flow in the axial direction. Such a fan is installed in the wall either. Axial fan attracts with ease of installation and high performance.

A radial fan is a structure whose axis represents a blade wheel in a spiral casing. The blades are located on the inside of the cylinder. These are fans that are quite loud in operation, but the models with the lowest noise level are used for everyday life. If the blades of the radial fan are folded backward, it works more productively (that is, it requires less power consumption), if it is folded forward it is quieter.

Scheme of the fan for exhaust

Centrifugal fans are suitable (more than 12 m 2). If single axial and radial fans are fixed to the wall, centrifugal fans are often mounted on the ceiling, and the whole system is covered with gypsum boards. When installing centrifugal fans, it is recommended to give preference to rigid air vents.because they have a longer service life than flexible.

Which fan to choose?

But to decide on the type of fan is not enough. Fans have a few more characteristics that directly affect how comfortable they will be. Namely:

• performance;
• noise level;
• fire safety.

The required fan capacity is determined based on the ratio of air exchange. The volume of the room is calculated (the area is multiplied by the height), and the resulting number is multiplied by 8 — the average value of the air exchange ratio for the bathrooms. The resulting number is the minimum allowable power.

For greater reliability, it is better to choose a device with a power reserve.

The noise level is also of considerable importance. If the fan makes a loud hum, its use will gradually be reduced to a minimum, as this sound is annoying. Occasionally it can be sustained, but every day, and even, and especially - after a hard day.

The most advanced models of exhaust fans are equipped with a control panel.

Noisy fans try to avoid. This means that if the bathroom is exactly like this, soon there will again be a raw microclimate. But the device cannot work at all silently, since the noise is created both by mechanical processes and by the echo in the ventilation duct. The standard noise value for a fan in a bathroom in a residential building is 25–30 dB. If this turns out to be a lot (which happens if the internal walls of the house are thin), you can isolate the ventilation duct from the inside with special sound-absorbing materials. In this case, it is better to choose thin products, so as not to reduce radically the permeability of the ventilation system.

When buying a fan, you should pay attention to the markings on the packaging: it should be stated that this is a fan for the bathroom. The fan as a device operating from the mains, can close. Especially in conditions of high humidity, in which he has to constantly be. At best, it will simply break, and at worst it will cause a fire.

Products made specifically for the bathroom have additional contact protection. So, they are more reliable.

Building a well-functioning private home is also very important. We will describe the detailed description in a separate article.

How to connect the fan?

This is another point that deserves detailed consideration. The type of connection makes the device both more and less convenient to use.

The fan can be connected directly to the light switch in the bathroom. In this case, as soon as the person enters the bathroom, the fan starts working. As soon as it comes out, it stops. There is no risk to forget to turn off the device (energy saving). But if you take a shower, for the time that a person will be in the bathroom after turning off the water, the fan will not be able to remove all the moisture.

False ceiling helps to hide the air duct and wiring to the fan

It can be brought to a separate switch. This requires additional movements - do not forget to turn it on and off. But the autonomous operation of the fan makes it more convenient, since the device can be left to work until the bathroom is completely drained. Yes, and you can turn it on when leaving the bathroom - so that the noise does not interfere before.

Wiring the fan to the light

For those who do not count on their good memory, or who simply do not want to make extra gestures to turn off the fan, the best choice is a device with a timer. It can be programmed, for example, to work at intervals of 25 or 30 minutes. After a specified time, the fan with the timer will turn itself off.

You can also search for models with a humidity sensor - it is much easier to determine when the fan should be turned off. For a bathroom, the normal humidity is in the range of 51-55%.

Wiring diagram of the fan with the timer off

Do not forget that the wires coming from the fan, need isolation (here and periodically high humidity, and the likely direct spray of water). If you could not hide them in the wall for finishing, you should use special plastic boxes to isolate the wires.

A bathroom in an apartment or house is always a “wet place”. Even if you do not arrange puddles on the floor. Cold and hot water, steam, wet towels - everything evaporates moisture. And in the bathroom it's hot and it turns out the greenhouse effect.

Excess moisture and heat, ideally, should "go" into the ventilation, but as you know, its efficiency in urban homes is far from normal. And both in the old fund, and in new buildings. The reason is that ventilation is everywhere of a natural type, that is, without additional exhaust.

This is in America on high-rise buildings there are huge fans, and in our country air is removed by gravity due to the difference in pressure and temperature. As a result, it moves moderately, if not barely, if the houses are old, and the channels are clogged.

And our “wet place”, the bathroom, is slowly acquiring any useless flora and fauna in the form of fungus, mold, and even woodlice. To get rid of such a neighborhood or to stop it in advance, you need to put an exhaust fan in the bathroom. He will pull all the dampness to where it should be, and you will be attacked in the form of low-help settlers happily.

How to choose a fan for the bathroom and toilet

It seems everything is simple, we decided that we need a fan, go to the store and buy. But quickly, only cats will be born. The store is waiting for a big surprise from a pile of species and models. Where a few dozen, and where a couple of hundreds will be typed. And you will "hang" on the question, "what kind of fan to put in the bathroom?".

No wonder. Different types, power, models, installation methods, characteristics - the devil's leg will break in this variety of technical progress in the field of ventilation. Sellers and those understand with difficulty, if the range is huge.

Therefore, we have compiled a "guide to the bathroom fans". To facilitate your task and help quickly buy the right equipment. And first, let's look at the general characteristics of bathroom fans.

So let's go!

1. Axial, centrifugal - what does it mean

This is the type or type of fan. He talks about the design of the equipment and its work.

Axial fan  - It is a blade impeller in the housing. Twists the impeller motor, on the rotor of which it is mounted. The blades are inclined inward relative to the plane of placement, they well pull in the air and move it in a straight axis. Therefore, this type is called an axial fan. It differs in good performance, medium noise, it is most often taken for installation in the bathroom.

Centrifugal fan  arranged differently. The air is sucked in by a turbine with blades. Inside the casing, the flow twists into a spiral and receives additional acceleration due to centrifugal force. The stream comes out not in a straight axis, but at an angle of 90 degrees into a special device - a snail. The centrifugal fan is also called radial.

Differs in smaller productivity, in comparison with axial, but can "drive a flow" under pressure of different force. The noise level is low or medium, depending on the direction of the bend of the rotor blades. With a front bend, it makes less noise, with a back bend - stronger, but it saves energy.

2. Laid on or channel

Ventilation equipment can be for outdoor installation and for indoor. The external type of installation is a fastener on a wall or ceiling at the exit of the vent hole in a shaft or in a pipe system. The duct fan is an integrated equipment that is installed inside the ventilation duct (duct). Ventilation duct systems are constructed from metal or plastic. For the bathroom more often use plastic duct systems, for example, the company Vents.

Often, the exit to the ventilation shaft is located in the toilet. For exhaust from the bathroom put the air duct with intake grille. The ventilation hose is pulled up to the mine window. Duct fan with additional grille installed in the toilet. The exhaust simultaneously takes air from the entire bathroom and directs it to the ventilation shaft of the house. By design, external and channel fans make both axial and centrifugal.

3. Fan selection in the bathroom for power

Power level or fan performance is one of the main characteristics. In fact, according to her hood and choose, paired with the design (axial / centrifugal). Performance "says" how many cubic meters of air the fan pumps in an hour - 100, 200, 300.

To choose the right power, it is necessary to calculate the volume of the bathroom and multiply it by 8. "Eight" means the sanitary requirement for the frequency of changing the air in the room for an hour. Simply put, the fan should pump the volume of eight of your bathrooms. Then there will be cleanliness, beauty and no mold.

Example!  For an urban standard bathroom with dimensions of 1.7x1.5x2.5m with exchange rate 8, the performance is needed from 51 cubic meters per hour. Axial fans produce with a capacity of 80 cubes. This hood will cope with the task, even with a margin. The centrifugal model usually “drives” from 42 to 100 cubic meters per hour.

4. Fan selection in the bathroom by noise level

It is clear that the hoods are noisy, but not very much. If you want absolutely silent - take an axial model from a line Silent. They have engineered an engine mount on silent blocks, which “quench” noise and vibration. Among the "quiet" you can choose a model with a noise level of even 22 dB.

Centrifugal engines work louder because the turbine forces air under pressure. But they also rustle moderately, approximately, like a cooler in a computer. He does not prevent you from watching movies, listening to music or playing games. So the fan will be just the background if you are in the bathroom when it is turned on.

Attention! Noise is a secondary characteristic. The most important thing is that the extractor “chases” the necessary volume of air for a good microclimate and fits the ventilation design.

5. Which fan in the bathroom or toilet is better - reviews on additional features

Modern technology can do a lot, and fans are released with various additional functions. Their list includes:

• Additional sensors.  They measure moisture or react to movement.
• Sleep timer.  On it is set the delay time off, at least 2 minutes - a maximum of 30.
• Indicator light.  Lights while the fan is running.
• Cord switch.  You can turn on and off the hood at the right time. For example, when taking a shower or bath. That is, when the light comes on in the bathroom, the fan does not start automatically.
• Automatic blinds.  They are used to close the ventilation grill after turning off the duct fan.
• Check valve  Its main task is to prevent the penetration of foreign odors from the ventilation shaft.

According to our customers, most often they take models with humidity sensors and a timer off. A check valve that blocks the flow of air from the shaft or channel back into the fan has already become part of the design. Very rarely, it is sold separately and is considered an additional option.

6. Degree of moisture protection

All bathroom fans have increased moisture protection within 4-5, dust protection can be both zero and 3-4. The equipment passport will indicate IP X4, 34, 44, 45.

With the characteristics we figured out, now let's talk about the range.

Fans in the bathroom and toilet in the site directory

Our store offers well-known and popular brands of household bathroom fans:

Let's divide them into groups and take a closer look.

1. For a city bathroom or bathroom of standard size, the most popular type of exhaust fan is a model with a capacity of up to 100 m3 / hour

The catalog has:

Laid on axial fans

Soler & palau

Blauberg

MMotors JSC

Power 60 cubic meters, noise 25 dB, ultra slim models with a thickness of 4 cm.

Channel axial fans

For installation in a round duct take channel models. From low-power offer Bulgarian MMotors JSC

Power 50 m3, noise 36 dB, operating temperature + 100-150 ° C.

Centrifugal fans

Due to the design and the creation of additional thrust, such hoods, even at low power, are more efficient than axial ones. They cost more, so they take less. Although the "utility" of a centrifugal fan quickly pays for its cost.

The main operating mode is the minimum speed and minimum power consumption. The hood perfectly “pulls” for a long time in the background for “stand-by” cleaning. When the humidity rises, the maximum mode is activated and the air in the bathroom is quickly replaced.

From centrifugal we offer fan company Era

Three-speed, capacity 42/64/100 m3, noise 25.8-30 dB, is completed with a check valve and filter. Suitable for wall / ceiling installation and for installation in a vent.

  2. In new houses, with large area apartments, tanhaus and cottages, the bathrooms are more spacious and for their cleaning they put extracts with a capacity from 100 to 400 m3 per hour

The site contains models in the catalog:

Axial fans on the wall or ceiling

Blauberg

Power 102, 154, 254m3, noise level 31-33-38dB, all models have a check valve, additional options are indicated by letter marking, T - with a timer, ST - with a cord and a timer. At the ceiling power of 105 cubic meters, noise 37dB.

Soler & polau

Productivity is 175, 180, 280, 320 m3, the noise level in the SILENT series is 35-36 dB, for other models 42-47 dB.

Performance 140-183,250-290m3, the level of noise 30-33, 36-38dB.

Productivity is 110-132 m3, noise is 17-22 dB. Fans of new generation. Equipped with a smart control system, gearshift mode, sensors. Can work automatically by the firmware or run in the selected mode via a smartphone or computer.

Duct hoods

Blauberg

Soler & palau

intelligent, maximum power 106 m3, in quiet mode - 72. noise level 31 dB (22 on quiet). Basic humidity control, timer, speed control in addition - work on the motion sensor. Suitable for non-stop ventilation at up to 40 m3 / h.

Exhaust fan in the bathroom - the best option

If we talk about the choice and answer the question, “which exhaust fan to the bathroom is better?” Then there will be several optimal options:

• for an ordinary bathroom with a separate vent;
• for general ventilation of the bathroom;
• for a large bathroom.

The bathroom has direct access to the mine

The best option is a wall axial fan with a capacity of up to 100 cubic meters per hour. Take Blauberg or Soler & Palau. In most models, there is a check valve, it will protect from the reverse flow of air from the mine, when the hood is turned off. And during operation, it quickly clears the air and makes it very quiet (sound background within 25-33 dB).

Blauberg Classic Design Models

German hoods are quite budget option, there are Spanish ones, both budget and expensive. Although the "high cost" of their very conditional. You take the equipment that will work for a dozen years, or even more. So, let's divide the price for the fan life, and we get costs like 10 lunches in a cafe, even for an extract for 6300 rubles.

If the apartment is removable, or just bought in the old fund and while you are planning to do without a major overhaul, take an inexpensive Era fan:

The price is in the range of 400-500 rubles, they pull perfectly, of course they rustle louder than the imported ones, but their 2-3 years will work like hours.

General ventilation in the bathroom

If the exit to the mine is in the toilet, to extract from the bathroom it is necessary to put the air duct and duct fan. The best option will be

They will quickly clean the bathroom from moisture and steam. Air intake from the bathroom and toilet will go through the ceiling grilles.

If you want to split the ventilation:

• Put the Deco 100 ceiling fan in the bathroom. Its performance is higher (105m3) than calculated for a standard bathroom (51m3), but it should be so. The hood will have to "drive" the air through the pipe with a bend, so you need a reserve of power for quick air exchange.
• Install a duct fan in the steam and for separate ventilation of the toilet. The best model will be Vents iFan D100 / 125. It can operate in turbo mode with a capacity of 106 m3 and 72 cubic meters. In addition, there is a mode for constant ventilation, at a minimum capacity of up to 40 cubic meters per hour.

Ventilation for large bathroom

If the bathroom is large, choose a powerful fan. The best options are:

Axial outer

Duct

Centrifugal

External and channel axial fans take with a reserve of power, so they quickly clean the air and directly into the exhaust shaft, and through the sleeve. Centrifugal creates increased pressure and a large amount of performance is not needed.

To install the hood in the bathroom will have to perform three stages of work.

1. Run the cable from the switch

The cable needs a three-core, for example, VVG 3H1.5 mm2. It is best to "throw" in the corrugation under the tile and in the wall, if the bathroom is not finished. If the bathroom is finished, then lay the cable in the corrugation on the capital ceiling, you can optionally take the cable channel. All this "good" we hide behind a suspended or suspended ceiling, after installing and connecting the hood.

2. Fix the fan

When the cable is laid, you must install the fan in place. The outer one is fixed on top of the wall, duct inside the vent hole. Please note that the standard width of the hole is 10 cm, just under the insertion of fans with a size marking of 100mm (diameter of the flange or the device itself). This gap is designed for the passage of air up to 100 cubes per hour. The capacity of the hoods, joined with the hundredth pipe, “fits” into this requirement or slightly exceeds, by 10-15 m3.

Fans with higher performance are connected to air ducts with a diameter of 125 mm or 150-160 mm, and the hole will have to expand. Otherwise, the hood or flange simply does not fit into the lumen.

Information for consideration! Is it possible to put an adapter with a diameter “more on less” for an outdoor fan? You can, just do not need. You will get a decent gap between the hood body and the wall. The gap will prevent the fan from fastening correctly. In addition, on the back panel, which does not press against the wall, moisture will accumulate and dust will collect. And "cutting off" the width of the gap you "cut" and the bandwidth of the channel. The ratio "channel diameter - fan performance" was not chosen by chance. Your unfortunate hood will try to push 150-200 cubes to where only a hundred will “prolazit”.

Installing a fan in the bathroom - installation methods

The hood can be installed in different ways. Attach the wall plate to the wall with self-tapping screws or glue, insert the duct directly into the hole and fix or install the pipe into the lumen first, and “fix” the fan in it.

To install the invoice hood, remove the front panel, which is fastened with a screw in the end or with plastic latches. For mounting on self-tapping screws, mark with pencil a place for the holes on the wall, then drill and insert the dowels. Attach the fan and tighten the screws.

For fasteners to glue or liquid nails, apply it on the edge of the case on the fan and on the wall. In order not to miss the wall, circle the exhaust hood along the contour and spread it with glue inside the rectangle, slightly receding from the edge. Squeeze and fix with masking (mounting) tape to glue.

Note!  We do not recommend using an ordinary e-mail card, because it can leave marks on the wall and the fan itself.

Feed the cable before mounting hardware into a special hole outside. If it is inconvenient, you can drill your own, in the right place. The front panel is put in place after connecting the power cable.

To install the duct hood, use a piece of duct of equal diameter, which is placed a fan with a ledge. The body of the hood tightly "gets up" in the round channel and is fixed without additional fasteners.

If the body is without protrusions, then it is fixed in the pipe with screws through special grooves. For such fans, it is more convenient to first insert the hood into a piece of ductwork, fix it, pull out the cable, and then install the entire assembly into the vent hole and fix it with foam.

For models with hardware on the case insert is not needed. The fan is simply screwed to the wall of the hole.

3. Connect the fan in the bathroom to the switch

Connecting power to the hood - the most crucial stage. Wet room requires mandatory cable installation with grounding. Therefore, use three-core VVG on a half square (3x1.5 mm2), as for lighting in the bathroom. The electric power of the fans is not high, as a rule, within 14 Watts, and a 1.5-square section is enough to operate the hood without overheating the cable.

The ground wire is necessary to separate the working zero on the bus N and the ground zero on PE. Even if you have an apartment in the old house and the grounding circuit is absent, a PE bus is installed in the shield for connecting the “ground”. This increases the safety of your electrical wiring and protects against trouble in the form of electric shock.

How to connect the fan in the bathroom, choose yourself. If you want to air longer, put the switch on the two keys and separate the lighting and ventilation.

The wiring diagram via the two-button switch will look like this:

A switch with a single-key switch is suitable for infrequent use of a bathroom, for example, in a one-room apartment with one tenant. The hood turns on with the light and turns off the same way. For additional airing will have to leave burning and light. Kilowatt-hours, it does not wind up a lot because of this, unless you fall asleep. But even there the “lion's share” will be behind the fan, and not the lights in the bathroom.

Connection diagram with single-key switch looks like this:

Both schemes are suitable for hoods without additional functions.

Connection fan with timer and other sensors

How to connect to the switch in the bathroom fan with a timer and other sensors, tell in more detail. The main difference in the scheme is that a separate power supply is applied to the timer in order to run the hood according to the signal of the activated humidity sensor, movement sensor or the timer signal itself in models with delayed start. Simply put, separate phase / neutral wires to the motor and to the timer go to the fan. The engine circuit is connected to the fan switch key, and the timer circuit with the light switch, and “activated” as soon as the lights in the bathroom are lit. If you use the double-key switch. You can turn on the hood yourself with a key or it will automatically work from the built-in timer.

If the switch is common, the circuit will be different. When the light is turned on, only the exhaust timer will be powered, and when it works, the fan motor circuit will close.

In models without a timer with a humidity sensor, the power is “turned on” to it.

As you can see, the connection schemes are quite simple, but do not forget about the rules of installation - we connect the wires at the terminals, without twists and protruding ends. We do the disconnections in the junction box or in-depth podrozetniki. We put the front panel and the insect screen in the overhead fans in place correctly, without distortions.

Summing up

What if the “guide” helped, but there were doubts? Contact us! Fans know in person. Methods of installation and wiring diagrams will tell at any time of the day or night. Like multiplication table.

Quickly remove moist air after taking a bath or shower will help exhaust fan in the bathroom. This is a small device that is installed at the entrance to the ventilation channel or directly into the track.

Types of bathroom fans

Most often, the exhaust fan in the bathroom is placed axial type. They are inexpensive, do a good job with the task if the outputs of the ventilation channels are nearby. If the distance from the entry point to the ventilation channel is more than 2 meters, it makes sense to put a radial distance.

According to the installation method, the fans are:

With wall and ceiling questions do not arise, everything is clear by name, and about the channel should be explained. This modification is installed in the gap of the ventilation channel. Mainly the exhaust channel is used alone, and several rooms need to be connected to it, but it is possible to use it on an individual channel.

These models are used less frequently, as more complex installation and maintenance (it is harder to get access for preventive cleaning or replacement), but in many cases this is the only option. In private homes, a duct fan can be carried to the exhaust in the attic, it’s easier to maintain there.

Selection by technical parameters

Like any technical device, an exhaust fan in the bathroom must be selected primarily on the technical parameters. Immediately it should be said that cases are usually made of plastic, and the case itself is waterproof (the minimum protection class is IP 24). The shape and type of the grille is arbitrary, the color of the body is most often white, but there are also color.

In addition to external signs, choose the diameter of the exhaust fan exhaust pipe. It is selected depending on the section of the air duct (it is better not to narrow it, since the air exchange will drop).

Air exchange

It is necessary to choose an exhaust fan in the bathroom on the basis of the volume of the ventilated room and the frequency of air exchange (prescribed sanitary standards). For bathrooms, the recommended frequency is 6 to 8 volumes of air per hour. For families, 8-fold exchange is considered, for 1-2 people 6-7 fold is enough.

For example, the bathroom has a size of 2.2 * 2.5 * 2.7 m. Multiply all the numbers to find out the volume, we get 14.85 m3. Rounding up, we get that the volume of the bathroom is 15 cubes. We will consider eightfold exchange: 15 m2 * 8 = 120 cube / hour. That is, when selecting the performance of the fan, its performance should not be less than 120 cubic meters / hour.

An example of a brief technical characteristics of the exhaust fan for the bathroom

Noise level

The second point to which you need to pay attention to choosing an exhaust fan in the bathroom - the level of noise produced. If the fan will work only during the day, the noise produced should be in the region of 30-35 dB. It is not very loud, against the background of other noise does not interfere. If the fan in the hood will work at night, the noise level should be less than 30 dB, and preferably 20-25 dB.

The most silent fan for the bathroom should be sought among radial models. Axial, due to the transmission of vibrations from the motor, make louder sounds, but there are models in which these vibrations are minimized using special vibration-damping pads. Another way is to use rolling bearings. Such axial fans for the bathroom and give just 22-23 dB, which is very small.

Also pay attention to such a moment as the duct material. The fan itself can create a slight noise, but the metal duct can make a noise when air moves through it. Therefore, when it is desirable to use plastic. If you already have a metal box, you can reduce the noise level by overlaying it with sound insulation materials. The second way out is to sew it in a box, and fill the gaps with a porous sound-proofing material. It is best suited for this full-time sound insulation of mineral fibers. Polyurethane foam, of course, easy to use, but its sound insulation characteristics are very low. Not very good in this regard, and foam with polystyrene foam.

Power consumption

Another parameter is power consumption. The less this parameter, the less you have to pay for electricity. From this point of view, axial fans for exhausting in the bathroom are more economical. For a set of high efficiency at low cost of electricity, they give a significant air exchange. Radial ones are less profitable in this respect: with equal productivity, they spend 3-4 times more electricity, but the air is transferred to a greater distance.

It is also worth remembering that the fan performance depends on the power consumption (the amount of air moved per unit of time). This parameter is also influenced by the shape of the impeller and other design features (for example, the presence of rolling bearings), but the larger air volumes need to be pumped, the more powerful the exhaust fan in the bathroom is required.

Additional functions

In the simplest version, the fan in the bathroom hood is turned on with a separate switch. Some models have a chain, pulling which you can turn it on or off. In this case, the device operates throughout the time while the power supply is flowing. There are other options:

The most common models of exhaust fans for the bathroom - with a delay off after turning off the light. But they can also be turned on through a separate switch, removing the light bulb from the circuit. Installation with a humidity detector is more economical, since not every visit to the bathroom and turning on the light requires enhanced ventilation. For example, if you went to wash your hands, it is hardly worth turning on forced ventilation.

Another convenient option is the different rotational speeds of the blades. In this case, the exhaust fan in the bathroom can change the mode of operation, depending on the initial humidity in the room. Switching is manual (mechanical), automatic (MARLEY MP-100S).

Check valve on the fan in the bathroom - need or not

There are also fans for exhaust with an integrated check valve. Sometimes this option is useful - when reverse thrust occurs, it will not allow air from the ventilation system to get into the room. But such models are still not very popular. The point is natural ventilation. Most apartments and houses provide natural ventilation. Installing the fan in the ventilation channel, we significantly impair the exhaust air in a natural way - due to the difference in pressure and thrust. Installing a fan with a check valve worsens the situation even more. In this case, forced inducement (using a fan) should work around the clock.

Which fan for the bathroom is better - with or without a check valve - you decide

If you decide to install a non-return valve, it is not necessary to go in one package. It can always be installed separately - in the channel in front of the fan.

The increased humidity in the bathroom can ruin not only the mood, but also chrome accessories and furniture. A foggy mirror, drips on the walls, and later also a fungus, especially noticeable at the joints between the tiles — an excess of condensation in the bathroom leads to this result. But I want the bathroom to be warm, dry and smell good. To improve the microclimate and defeat excessive humidity will help the installation of an exhaust fan.

Ventilation problems in the bathroom

If you live in a standard high-rise building, building codes provide ventilation in the bathroom. This is the so-called natural ventilation, when the air through the ventilation window from the bathroom enters the ventilation duct passing through all floors of the building. Due to the natural thrust, the air in the room is ventilated. It would be fine and give the desired effect, however, over time, the ventilation ducts inevitably become clogged, and cleaning the ventilation ducts in an ordinary house at the expense of housing offices refers to events from the category of fiction. It is easy to check the traction - bring the lit match or lighter to the ventilation grill, if the flame is directed upwards and does not deviate towards the ventilation duct - the channel is 100% clogged.

Even if natural ventilation is working properly, it will not cope with the problem of excess moisture in the bathroom. So you need a hood for the bathroom. A mains powered fan will remove moist air from the bathroom to the vent.

Even a finished repair will not be an obstacle to the installation of such a device, if for some reason you have not taken care of ventilation during the repair.

What you need to know, going to the store for a hood

Looking to purchase a fan in the bathroom, you face another problem. It turns out that there are a great number of devices for forced ventilation. How to choose in this variety hood, suitable for your bathroom? Let's figure it out.

Commercial hoods vary in performance. In order to choose the right model, you need to consider the following factors:

• the presence and location of the duct in the room, which will determine the installation location of your unit;
• the diameter of the duct, which will depend on the diameter of the nozzle of the device. Typically, domestic fans are available with nozzles with a diameter of 100, 125, 150 mm.
• the minimum value of the power of the device, which depends on the area of ​​the bathroom and the number of people who use this bathroom. This value we can easily calculate.
• when choosing a model for the bathroom, look for a device with enhanced protection from moisture. The class of protection against moisture is marked with letters IP. For the bathroom, the IP index should be at least 3 or 4. At the same time, the electric motor in the device will be reliably protected from splashes.
• The main disadvantage of a household hood for a bathroom is the noise it produces. Manufacturers are constantly improving devices for ventilation, releasing low-noise and silent models with additional noise insulation.

Types of fans

Depending on the place of installation exhaust fans are:

• wall mounted
• channel

As the name implies, wall models are mounted at the exit of the ventilation shaft directly on the wall. Alternatively, it is possible to install such a device when installing a suspended ceiling. In this case, a prerequisite is the construction of the air duct connecting the ventilation shaft with the device. This design will be closed from the eyes of the suspended ceiling.

The duct fan provides for installation directly into the ventilation duct. A channel fan, like the channel itself, can be rectangular or circular in cross section. Installation of such a unit is possible in the premises. In this case, the hole in the ventilation shaft should fall into the space between the suspended and capital ceiling. The unit itself is installed directly into the duct, equipped in the space above the suspended ceiling, approximately in its middle part. The duct outlet in the suspended ceiling is closed by a diffuser, which simultaneously performs the decorative function and the function of the direction and distribution of the air flow. The shape of the diffusers can be concise in the form of a rectangular lattice or more aesthetic round, choose to your taste.

Fans differ in the principle of operation. They are:

1. axial
2. radial
3. diametrical

• axial

Inexpensive, easy to install and therefore the most popular option is an axial fan. It is installed in the vent hole, which is usually located in the wall.

The device is a core of the impeller with cantilever blades. The wheel is placed on an axis with an electric motor. Rotating, the wheel delivers air to the blades, which move it in the direction of the axis. At an affordable price, the axial fan has a decent performance, more than 100 m3 / hour. The main gripe is noise at work.

If your bathroom is located in a multi-storey building, choose a model hood with a check valve. The valve prevents the reverse flow of air from the ventilation system into the room and protects the air in the room from the ingress of foreign odors, dust and insects.

• radial

The principle of operation of the radial fan is somewhat different. Due to the rotation of the impeller with blades, a centrifugal force is created, under the action of which the air moves. By adjusting the inclination of the blades, you can adjust the noise level and even power consumption.

• diametrical

At the device of ventilation systems it is practically not used. It is most often used in indoor units of air conditioners and split-systems and at the device of thermal curtains.

Calculation of the power of exhaust and installation

In order for the selected unit to cope with the humidity in the bathroom, you need to calculate the required power. To begin, determine the volume of the room, for which the area multiplied by the height of the walls. The resulting value is multiplied by the ratio of air exchange, the value of which for bathrooms is set by sanitary standards and is within 6-8 m3 / hour per 1 m3 of room.

Suppose our bathroom is 2.5 m by 2 m, the wall height is 2.6 m. Having made the calculations, we get that the volume of the room = 2.5 * 2 * 2.6 = 13 m3. If there are four people in a family, we take the maximum coefficient for calculating the required air exchange. So, the rate of air exchange is equal to 13 * 8 = 104 m3 / hour. Therefore, we are looking for a device with an air exchange capacity of at least 104 m3 / hour.

By the way, there are fans for bathrooms with power exceeding the calculated one.

• Installing a fan in the bathroom

If the fan is purchased, proceed to its installation. To begin, we will determine the method of connecting the device to the power grid. There are models that come with a switch - a cord embedded in the case. To turn it on or off, you have to reach for the cord and pull it. If this option does not suit you, you can equip a separate switch for the hood.

installation rules and security measures:

• Install the device at the highest possible height, preferably just under the ceiling.
• Try to move the location of the hood away from a source of fresh air. It is better to place it on the opposite side of the door. Otherwise, the air flow will only circulate directly next to the hood, without affecting the rest of the room.
• If possible, try to place the device away from water.
• Experts do not advise tightly fitting the door to the bathroom, leaving the bottom of the gap up to 2 centimeters for air flow or equip the door with special grilles.
• Fan mounting

Installing a fan, even with no skills, will take you no more than 15 minutes. To do this, you need a polymer adhesive such as "liquid nails" or silicone. The hood body is quite light, so the glue mount is quite suitable:

• First, check the diameters of the ventilation duct and the nozzle, for a tight fit, they must match. The dimensions of the nozzles of the devices are usually 100, 125, 150 mm in diameter.
• Remove the front panel hood.
• Apply a bonding compound around the perimeter of the hood against the wall.
• Press the panel against the wall for 1-2 seconds or follow the instructions to the adhesive.

The fan is installed in the bathroom, go to the connection to the network.

• Connection options

If you are installing the hood in the bathroom at the stage of repairing the room, you will not have problems connecting the hood. In a convenient place you install an additional switch, to him bring the electric wire from the hood, which will subsequently be hidden under the facing tiles.

But what about the situation when the repair in the bathroom is finished, and there is no electrical outlet near the ventilation duct? In this case, you can easily connect the hood to the lamp in the bathroom. We proceed as follows:

• We lay the electric wire from the fan to the lamp, to which we will connect.
• We hide the electric wire in the box, which is also planted on “liquid nails”. The box can be placed under the ceiling, while the appearance of the wall does not deteriorate at all.
• We connect the electrical wire to the terminals in the luminaire on the one hand and to the fan, on the other. To connect the device to the network it already has a terminal connection.
• Joining is complete. Now your fan will turn on at the same time as you turn on the light in the bathroom.
• Install the front panel hood and fasten it with screws included in the kit. Under the front panel you can lay a mosquito net, it is also included in the kit to the fan.

We remind safety rules for electrical work:

• do not forget to turn off the electricity in the network before making the connection
• when connecting wires, use terminal blocks - it is more convenient and safer than “twisting”.

Plus, such a connection in its simplicity. However, there are downsides. If the humidity in the bathroom is high, then you have to leave the light on. To solve this problem, manufacturers release more advanced models, adding new features to them.

Additional fan features

• Fans with shutdown timer. A handy feature that turns off the device for a certain time after a power outage. For example, you have already turned off the light, and the exhaust hood works for another 15 minutes. Time on the timer is set depending on the selected program.
• There are devices with humidity sensor. Such units are called "intellectual". There are devices with built-in sensors and there are installed separately. On the humidity sensor or gyrostat, set the parameters of humidity, for example, humidity - 65%. The device will automatically turn on when this value is exceeded. This hood will cost you more, but it is she who will create the most comfortable conditions in the bathroom.
• Bathroom hoods can be equipped with a check valve, which prevents unpleasant odors from entering other rooms connected to the same air duct.
• Exhaust fan for the bathroom can be made with light. Under the decorative front panel of stainless steel is a built-in LED lamp, and you get a two-in-one device - an exhaust hood and a lamp at the same time.

• And how do you like the option with a clock on the front panel? A rational decision, because being under a warm shower, it is so easy to lose track of time, and it is not accepted to hang up the clock in the bathroom.