With summer dwindling and the colder months nearly on us, our thoughts are naturally moving away from cooling to heating. And one of the most important things to consider is your bathroom heating and exhaust. While keeping warm in the bathroom is paramount to your comfort, when warm air and moisture meet, that can spell disaster. As a result, having the right exhaust fan for your bathroom is incredibly important. Today we are going to discuss how to choose the right exhaust fan for your bathroom.
Why Do I Need a Bathroom Exhaust Fan?
Whether or not you like long, luxurious baths and showers, your bathroom needs an exhaust fan. Steam, heat and humidity combine in the bathroom, raising the risk of health issues and damage to the bathroom. 3-in-1 bathroom exhaust fans add ventilation, reduce humidity, and improve airflow and air quality. A bathroom fan can help prevent mould and mildew, which not only damage the bathroom but are dangerous to your health. Children, those with asthma, and elderly people are especially vulnerable when it comes to mould and mildew.
But humidity and moisture cause far more problems than mould and mildew. They can cause water damage to bathroom fixtures and mirrors. If left untreated, the damage can go further, damaging walls, paint and tiles, and even causing wooden frames and doors to warp. As a result, investing in a good bathroom 3-in-1 exhaust fan will save your health and money in the long run.
1: How Do I Choose the Right Capacity Bathroom Fan?
Just like choosing the right sized air conditioner for a room is important, choosing the right sized exhaust fan is important. A fan that is too big will be noisy and uncomfortable, especially if you purchase a 3-in-1 bathroom exhaust fan that features a heater. And, of course, an exhaust fan that is too small will have very little effect in your bathroom.
When deciding the size of your exhaust fan, you need to measure the size of your bathroom in metres. You will need to measure height, length and width. Then you need to multiply your measurements. For example, a bathroom that is 3m long by 2m wide by 3m high, you would get 18m3. You then multiply it by how many air changes your bathroom needs.
A bathroom without a shower needs around 6-8 air changes per hour. A bathroom with a shower needs 15-20 air changes. This final number will give you the capacity you need for your bathroom. So, assuming our example needs 15 air changes by hour, we get 270m3/h. As a result, we would look for 3-in-1 exhaust fans with a capacity of at least 270m3/hr.
2: Installing the Right Exhaust Fan
Most bathroom exhaust fans are installed via the ceiling. And high quality exhaust fans, like those from Martec, come with the appropriate extras for installation. It is always recommended you have a qualified electrician install any electrical appliances, especially in the bathroom environment.
Choosing the right location for your exhaust fan is important as well. You need to vent air outside your home not inside. Far too many people vent moist, warm air into attics and similar spaces, which is just moving the problem to a different room. When choosing your bathroom exhaust fan, you need to consider both capacity and location to ensure you get the most out of your fan.
3: Bathroom Exhaust Features
Modern bathroom exhaust fans have a number of innovative features that make them more convenient and effective. The most innovative models are bathroom 3-in-1s that include lighting, heat and exhaust. As a result, you have a lot less wiring as everything you need is in one model. With the right bathroom 3-in-1 you can ventilate your bathroom all year round, enjoy the perfect lighting, and keep warm in the colder months. Always check the IP rating on your bathroom exhaust 3-in-1, to ensure it is safe to use around water.
4: Noise Levels are Important
Most people like to use their bath or shower time to relax. As a result, there is nothing worse than having that relaxation time is marred by a noisy fan. So when choosing your new exhaust fan, noise level should be a high priority. Modern exhaust fans – like those from Martec – are constructed with high quality, ball bearing motors. This ensures that each exhaust fan is ultra quiet, allowing you to enjoy your relaxation time. While some people say the higher power the motor, the more noise there is, but nothing could be further from the truth when it comes to Martec’s high quality exhaust fans. We combine powerful motors with ultra quiet systems, so you get the best of both worlds.
5: Bathroom Exhaust Fan Efficiency
As with everything in your home, your exhaust fan needs to be efficient. And modern exhaust fans – like those from Martec – are more efficient than ever. Energy efficient appliance not only lower your carbon footprint, it is also kinder on your energy bills. Not all fans are created equal and it is important to check the exhaust fan wattage, to ensure you are getting the best energy efficiency possible.
