Mechanical Bathroom Air Vents

CarolineL

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An insulation company put in electrical fans in our bathrooms recently at a cost of €250 each. They don't make any difference and the room still fills up with condensation. Is their a better fan we can get please?

pjdarcy

You can buy bathroom extractor fans in B&Q or Woodies or online (try screwfix.ie).

The two most important things you need to check for are Extraction Rate and Noise Level (you want it to extract as much air as possible whilst making the least amount of noise).

One other thing that might be important to you is whether it has a timer or not (i.e. can you set it to stay on for a certain amount of time after the light is switched off)

CarolineL

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118313618#Comment_118313618

Thank you PJ. Would you know which are the best please? Their is a 15 minute timer set on the ones that were installed recently, but absolutely no suction.

pjdarcy

Do you know if it's an inline extractor like this

or a wall / ceiling mounted extractor like this

listermint

One often overlooked factor is the ability to draw air. If the bathroom door for example as inadequate gap on the bottom of the door then the fan is at a severe disadvantage. These things have to be thought out holistically and not just bigger fan win!

CarolineL

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118313683#Comment_118313683

PJ I'm not too sure. I'm inclined to say the 1st picture. Before insulating the attic,.the company put a tube out through the attic and a vent on the outside wall. Here is a pic of the vent inside.

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pjdarcy

Both types require a tube to extract the air to the outside. The only way you'll know which type you have is it to get up on a step ladder and have a good look at the inside of the vent that's mounted on your ceiling / wall.

spaceHopper

Run the fan and put a sheet of paper over it, is it sticking to it, if not your fan isn't drawing air. Run the shower to steam it up then run the fan with the door open a crack to so see if the extra air flow clears it up. Maybe the room is to air tight. If so what about adding a hit and miss vent over the door.

muffler

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118313776#Comment_118313776

Or make a trip to the attic

pjdarcy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118313805#Comment_118313805

Ahh yes, good point. I was working under the assumption that it's an apartment rather than a house

CarolineL

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118313691#Comment_118313691