Bathroom Fan

redlough

Hi, not sure if right place. I have two bathroom which have fans in them. They are prone to condensation etc. The fans in them are useless, like totally useless. I think they got installed circa 2006. They could go all day and still not remove anything./

I am wondering if I just replace them with a new bathroom fan would that be the best thing or do I have any alternatives? my electrician is in next week and said he can do but just wondering what options are availabe?

Any recommendations on what type of fan as well please?

Wearb

Where are they venting to? If there's a sag in ducting, it might be full of water.

Fans also need somewhere to take air from, like an open window. They won't work in a sealed room.

redlough

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120257614#Comment_120257614

The tube goes up into attic and then out at the soffit…

Wearb

OK. You then need to address the points I've made above.

I replaced rubbish noisy ceiling mounted fans with an inline fan 4 inch that is in the attic. Huge difference in ability to remove air and clear humidity/comdensation

redlough

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120258029#Comment_120258029

Sounds good, do you have link?

redlough

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120258029#Comment_120258029

Like this?

https://www.screwfix.ie/p/xpelair-ximx100-100mm-axial-inline-extractor-fan-240v/5465H?tc=AI3&gclid=Cj0KCQiAi8KfBhCuARIsADp-A54a5gxlBlykXYH2wBoIZ7jNRL2yTJBtzDwRgyitBHFmpbym3vPeIoEaAolrEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

Yes, now I am not an electrican or plumber.

But simple to wire to existing fan wiring. Just mount fan in attic and get a replacement cowl for the ceiling. Remove the old fan. Make sure exhaust does not sag. That it has a nice straigh shot to the outside.

Hibernicis

You could look at replacing them with fans that have an overrun capability (continues running after it is switched off). There are two types: (1)Timer - fan keeps running for a set period of time, typically 10-30 mins and (2) Humidistat - Fan keeps running until the humidity drops below a predetermined level. Talk to your electrician before buying, as these fans need a permanent live feed and you will want one that works with the existing opening/vent/pipework.

redlough

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120257889#Comment_120257889

Sorry I never responded, the door of bathroom would be open so air would be circulating, would this not suffice?

redlough

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120258218#Comment_120258218

I expect a bit of rewiring to do this as its just on/off with light now. I done this in last house when I wired up.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120258927#Comment_120258927

Would like to know how to do this. Right now once light switch is off, fan is off.

Wearb

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120258920#Comment_120258920

Open a window when fan is on and room steamed up. Then you'll see if that is a problem or not.

redlough

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120259066#Comment_120259066

This is what I do, so before we take a shower we will open the window to let the air circulate. But the fan even if I put my hand up at it doesn't feel like anything is been sucked....so we end up just leaving the window fully open to clear the room which means it is freezing

If we leave a small gap and the fan going you could come back in hours and it smells

redlough

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120258995#Comment_120258995

Thats up to my electricity :-)

I do a lot of DIY put electric and plumbing are no go areas

Wearb

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120259134#Comment_120259134

Can you reach the fan outlet, to see if there is air blowing out there?

redlough

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120259263#Comment_120259263

Tomorrow, yes I can

Burti16

Have you tried one of these to see if the duct is blocked with dust or something else? If you don't see white smoke coming out your fan outlet this means it's not the fan that problematic.

redlough

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120260224#Comment_120260224

I would expect if I put my hand in front of the fan I would feel some sort of suction but I just get some noise

Wearb

"I would expect if I put my hand in front of the fan I would feel some sort of suction but I just get some noise"

Would it hold a sheet of kitchen towel in place?

redlough

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120260710#Comment_120260710

No chance

Wearb

Then you need to rule out a ducting fault before deciding to replace the fan.

redlough

So done a bit more digging this evening, it’s two of them and both are useless

I never knew about in-line so when I looked that is what is installed

i took the duct off it and put my hand at the fans, nearly nothing at all so fans look to be shot would be my understanding, pipes had some cobwebs in them and cleaned but still no better

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120262234#Comment_120262234

Did you check the hose from the fan to the outside? Is the exit free and clear? Is the hose relatively straight and not kinked? Seems strange that two of these would go at the same time. My inline sends a good airflow to the outside. You can feel if from a foot or two away easilly

redlough

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120262457#Comment_120262457

Nah they have gone for years :-)

I never got around to fixing them with all the other jobs, its just the electrician is in because I am doing renovations and wanted to fix some of the jobs on the list

greasepalm

I have a fan in the downstairs wet room and it works when the light is put on and when the light is put off runs on a timer.

redlough

https://www.goodwins.ie/products/inline-bathroom-fan-standard-kit-3451010.html?filter_set%5B%5D=5160,5166

Just wondering is this ok? or should I go for something more expensive that can move more air/hr

redlough

Just to update, bought the fan above which from taking the old one out looks more or less the exact same. Slotted it in using the same duct etc.

It is a lot quieter but if I put a piece of tissue up to the fan it holds it up no problem

Now one done, would I like a bigger/fast/stronger fan in other bathroom? Yes I would :-)

meercat

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120276248#Comment_120276248

Bigger extraction rate (with a price to match)

https://www.screwfix.ie/p/vent-axia-17104020-97mm-axial-inline-extractor-fan-with-timer-240v/53730?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI2dDCifip_QIVQZ7tCh0hPwtyEAQYAiABEgLYW_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

redlough

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120276792#Comment_120276792

Thanks, I have no idea which models/make are best

i see a manrose one with similar spec cheaper?

monseiur

To ensure a good air flow you need to cut one or perhaps two 4'' holes in the lower section of your bathroom door. Fit a a vent grill on both sides, they are available in different colours in both plastic & metal to match door colours.

greasepalm

How many internal doors in houses have gaps as i know my bathroom does lower down and gets plenty of air movement and never needed to add vents on any doors.