If more people understood the function of these, they would move this electrical unit to the front of their priority list. These fans keep the bathroom smelling good and safe from mold.

A bathroom that does not vent properly is a health hazard. Not only does the bathroom smell bad, it is damp. Damp, moist areas produce mold very quickly. You know the many dangers of mold, mold can speed up the rotting of wood and mold produces spores. Some of these spores are harmful to the people who breathe them.

Originally, bathrooms were located on an outside wall of the house. A window that opened controlled the moist air. Now bathrooms can be located anywhere, depending on the house design.

The right fan quickly draws fresh air into the bathroom and pushes the moist air out. This bathroom exhaust fan should run continuously for about 20 minutes after you have used the bathroom.

This wonderful invention comes with several options. The CFM (cubic feet per minute) rating tells how much air the fan will circulate. To determine what rating you need, you multiply the length times the width times the height of the bathroom. This is the cubic feet of air in the space. Then you divide the cubic feet of air by 7.5. This gives the CFM rating of the fan you need. This is easier than it sounds. For example, if the bathroom is 5 feet long and 5 feet wide and 8 feet high, the cubic feet of air is 200. (5X5X8=200) Now you divide the 200 by 7.5 and get 26.67. A bathroom exhaust fan with a CFM rating of 27 or more would work. You can purchase a unit with a CFM rating higher than you need, but do not purchase a lower CFM rating as it cannot do the job you require.

The next option is even more important for the comfort of the homeowners. Different bathroom exhaust fans operate at different noise levels. These noise levels are called sones or db. As the fan will run for 20 minutes or longer, the cost of a quieter fan may be well worth it to you.

Fans come in different styles and colors. Some have an automatic timer that turns off in a set amount of time. Some have a light built into the unit. Some feature a heated lamp for added comfort when showering. You have a wide range of choices.

The price of a basic bathroom extractor fan starts at about $30. These are noisier than the than more expensive fans with a lower sones or db level. Fans with decorative lights can run over $100. You can find something that will work with your bathroom style and fit all your requirements.

Installation of a bathroom extractor fan is simple. The fan must be ducted outside. If you are replacing an existing fan, this should be simple. The exhaust ductwork should be in place. If you are adding a fan to bathroom without one, there will take more work. If the bathroom is located on an exterior wall, the flexible exhaust ducting can be run to the outside. If the bathroom is located in the middle of the house, the ducting problem may be a bit more complicated. A bathroom under a roof can be ducted through the roof.

These fans require electricity. If you need to install a fan in a bathroom that has not had one, installing a lighted fan may save time.

There are currently multiple makes and models of bathroom exhaust fans available on the market, facilitating the selection of a fan that will be unobtrusive and will match the decor of its intended bathroom, while providing a wide variety of additional features, if they are desired. You may wish to install a bathroom exhaust fan in a specific location. In order to facilitate this, there exist models specifically intended to be mounted on either the wall or the ceiling. In addition, designers have the option of installing bathroom exhaust fans with light fixtures either attached or built in, and/or with heaters and timers.

One reliable brand with a great variety of models to choose from is panasonic bathroom exhaust fans. Visit panasonic.com to view their multiple selections. They proudly advertise their line of WhisperGreen vent fans, which are part of Panasonic’s “worldwide green mission,” and which, according to Panasonic.com, are up to 621% more efficient than EnergyStar standards. Panasonic.com also offers an excellent tool for customers in the form of a questionnaire that helps to determine which bathroom exhaust fans will be best for specific situations. Upon completion of the questionnaire, individuals are directed to the link for the specific fans that Panasonic.com has determined will best satisfy their requirements.

Bathroom exhaust fans are most efficiently installed during the initial stages of construction, in order to ensure that the wiring and electronic connection will be effective within the larger construction plan. Because of the wiring and switches, installation can be complicated, particularly when involving multiple applications, such as a bathroom exhaust fan light, heater, or timer. It is still possible to do these installations without the help of a professional however, and there exist several online resources that can offer advice and step-by-step instructions for these and other similar maintenance procedures.

Some basic Do It Yourself guidelines for the installation of bathroom exhaust fans include ensuring that the power is switched off at the source when doing any work around electrical circuits or exposed wires, locking the circuit box, and testing the wires for electrical circuit to ensure that they are indeed turned off. One should also always be sure to wear necessary protective equipment, such as goggles to protect the eyes, and a dust mask. Be sure to conduct thorough research before embarking on such a project, and if you are unsure of how to proceed, it is best to consult an expert. Websites such as the above-mentioned Panasonic.com sometimes even suggest preferred vendors that offer installation services as well. For more detailed installation advice, some home improvement stores offer free online guides. Check out lowes.com for detailed instructions on how to install bathroom exhaust fans and other home improvement products.

There exist several additional features that can be sought out when shopping for bathroom exhaust fans. These include fans that are extra quiet, and fans that contain built-in moisture sensors, in order to turn on automatically when the moisture level in the room reaches a specific point. Additional considerations may include price (bathroom exhaust fan prices vary widely, depending on makes, models, and additional special features. Most of them range between $20.00 and $120.00 USD,) the type of support offered by the manufacturer or retailer, and whether or not there is a warranty included with the system.

Regardless of the model of bathroom exhaust fan that you eventually choose, you can be assured that the inclusion any such fan in your home will improve the quality of your bathroom, keeping it fresh and odor and moisture-free.