If we were to list the most important home appliances, the exhaust fan would surely be among them. Most home appliances are intended to help us live more comfortably, but an exhaust fan is an important product that safeguards our lives and safety. This is not an exaggeration: the WHO once pointed out that, during the Amoy Gardens outbreak, excessively powerful exhaust fans were one of the key causes. This shows that this seemingly unremarkable appliance is closely related to the safety and health of every household. Therefore, choosing a suitable exhaust fan is necessary. The following article will help you choose the exhaust fan that suits you more accurately. Having trouble choosing an exhaust fan? You can contact BBE, and we will certainly provide you with the most professional exhaust fan advice and the best prices.
The main places where exhaust fans are needed are bathrooms and kitchens. Among them, there are many factors to consider when choosing a bathroom exhaust fan. Next, we will introduce what you need to pay attention to when choosing a bathroom exhaust fan.
The Power of a Bathroom Exhaust Fan
Before buying a bathroom exhaust fan, the most important thing to consider is its power. Whether the power is too high or too low, it will affect the ventilation quality of the bathroom. Many people think that the stronger an exhaust fan’s ventilation capacity, the better, so they choose very large exhaust fans. However, according to widely adopted international standards, an exhaust fan for a residential bathroom generally only needs an extraction rate of 25 litres per second, which is already very sufficient. An exhaust fan of about 6 inches in diameter can already achieve this extraction rate. However, many people install exhaust fans with a diameter of more than 10 inches in their home bathrooms, reaching an extraction rate of 234 litres per second. According to Wong Man-wai, a member of the anti-epidemic task force established by the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers, an exhaust fan that is too powerful can create negative air pressure in the bathroom, causing the U-shaped water trap to dry out, making it very easy for viruses to be drawn indoors from the sewage drain. This shows that a bigger exhaust fan is not necessarily better; it needs to be selected according to the size of your bathroom.
Types of Bathroom Exhaust Fans
After calculating the power required for your bathroom exhaust fan, you can start choosing among different types of exhaust fans. Most products on the market are divided into two categories, including window-mounted and wall-mounted types. The main difference between the two lies in installation. Wall-mounted models generally have stronger ventilation capacity, but installation is more complicated and may require a technician to come to your home to assist with installation. Window-mounted models are simpler and are usually cheaper.
In addition to the difference between window-mounted and wall-mounted types, the difference in shutter panels is also one of the key points when choosing. A shutter panel refers to the blade cover outside the exhaust fan. When the exhaust fan is not in use, the shutter panel closes to prevent rainwater or other pollutants from entering indoors, and it can also prevent others from peeping through the exhaust fan from outside. Its function is very important. The market is mainly divided into pull-cord shutter panels and electric shutter panels. A pull-cord shutter panel relies on the pulling of a cord after the exhaust fan is switched on to open it, while an electric shutter panel is opened by an independent electric activation after the exhaust fan is switched on. Pull-cord shutter panels are less stable and secure. In the event of typhoons and rain, a pull-cord shutter panel may be blown open by the wind, allowing rainwater to be easily blown indoors and at the same time causing the exhaust fan motor to get wet, resulting in damage. Electric shutter panels, on the other hand, rely on electricity to operate. When the exhaust fan is not switched on, they are more secure and will not be opened easily. Of course, the price will be more expensive than pull-cord shutter panels, but for safety reasons and given bathroom conditions, an electric shutter panel is a good choice.
If there are children at home and you are worried that they may injure their fingers on the fan blades by touching the exhaust fan, you can choose an exhaust fan with a blade guard to prevent accidents.
There are also exhaust fans designed specifically for bathrooms on the market now, which meet the ventilation needs of general bathrooms. Choosing this type of exhaust fan can also be a good method.
Precautions for Installing a Bathroom Exhaust Fan
When installing an exhaust fan, you need to pay attention to the bathroom’s air inlet. When choosing a 6- to 8-inch exhaust fan, remember to leave a gap of 1 cm and 2.5 cm as the air inlet. However, when choosing an exhaust fan of more than 20 inches, a 2.5CM air inlet is still not sufficient. A larger air inlet is required; 45 cm by 30 cm is needed to provide sufficient air intake.
We believe everyone now understands the key points in choosing a bathroom exhaust fan. As for kitchen exhaust fans, there are not as many requirements. The main consideration is whether the ventilation capacity is powerful enough to extract cooking fumes from the kitchen. Of course, it is best to choose a range hood for the kitchen, as this can prevent grease from accumulating on the fan blades and causing damage.
