In rooms with high humidity, there is an accelerated formation of oxides on metals and fungal flora on organic materials. This leads to damage to building structures, products and equipment, as well as a high risk of disease. Zones of increased danger in residential areas can be noted toilets and showers, where the air humidity is always high. The solution is a bathroom exhaust fan. A correctly selected mechanism allows you to bring the local microclimate back to normal.
What is a suction electric fan in the bathroom for?
The heated water in the bathroom tends to evaporate. The gaseous form of the liquid rises up and settles on interior items in the form of small drops or a film. Constant wetting leads to the following consequences:
- Rapid damage to items. This is especially true for various metals that are oxidized.
- The appearance of mold fungi. In addition to unsightly dark formations, mold spores can exacerbate allergic reactions and respiratory tract disease.
- An unpleasant odor develops. This may be the process of decay of materials.
- In a humid environment, bacteria and some species of insects multiply very quickly, not all of which are harmless.
- Condensation of steam on live surfaces can lead to a short circuit in the electrical wiring.
To neutralize all these negative aspects, it is necessary to put an electric fan on the hood in the bathroom and toilet. There are options for organizing the natural circulation of air, but in rooms for this purpose, such a system is not always suitable due to the intensity of vaporization.
Varieties of electric exhaust fans
The extraction device should not be confused with the conventional cool air blower. The impeller of the first is designed in such a way that it creates a pulling force towards the channel for removing gases from the room, and not vice versa. Otherwise, equipment of this type can be classified according to the following criteria:
- installation principle;
- the location of the unit;
- design features of a particular model.
When designing the installation of the device, it is necessary to remember about the timely laying of the electric line for its power supply. You can control the electric fan with a separate button on the switch, or combine it with the power supply to the shower lighting.
By installation method
For private houses and apartments, household exhaust fans are used in the bathroom. They are installed directly on the inside of the air duct outlet. There are wall versions (vertical devices), which are fixed with mounting holes and screws through plastic dowels directly to the supporting wall.
Apparatus for horizontal position are mounted directly above the place of intense flow of fluid flow. These devices also have fasteners.In the first and second versions, the impeller is covered with a decorative protective ribbed or mesh panel with a mosquito net.
At the place of installation
External installation of the device or in-duct is possible. In the first case, these are overhead electric fans of different power, which can most often be distinguished by their appearance. Their bezel is usually square with ribs, made of plastic, sometimes with a built-in status indicator.
Devices installed in the channel are not visually visible. The panel covering the air vent is often circular. Such systems are more used for ventilation of spacious areas through ceiling ducts.
By design
Axial toilet ventilation fans are low-power units with an external rotor on which an impeller with blades is mounted. Designed for small areas. During operation, they make a subtle noise.
Centrifugal apparatus are powerful products due to the fact that they have a working element in the form of a mini turbine. High rotor revolutions allow creating a high pull-in force inside the duct, which makes it possible to install similar devices in large houses, as well as to expel air through long ventilation ducts.
The devices for installation inside the duct shaft are designed in such a way that they can be installed in both rectangular and circular sections of the pipe. Such devices are not visible from the outside, the channel entrance is covered with a mesh decorative overlay.
Model selection rules
You cannot take the first suction unit that comes across and install it in a room where bath procedures are taken. You need to build on these parameters when choosing:
- the performance of the electrical appliance;
- technical performance in terms of protection;
- the amount of noise generated;
- overall parameters (diameter).
In some cases, it is required that the device has some additional functions. For example, people with disabilities need devices that turn on and off themselves as needed.
Unit power
The more powerful the power plant, the easier and faster the device will remove water vapor from the room and the more space can be cleaned in the required time.
For bathrooms and toilets of standard sizes, household exhaust electric fans are produced with a capacity of 100 to 60 cubic meters per hour. This parameter can be underestimated in reality if there is no free air supply to the bathroom from other rooms or from the street.
Showers large in area in public places (gyms, fitness clubs, swimming pools, saunas) are not equipped with household appliances, they use powerful professional hoods.
Security degree
Under the protection of the device is understood, first of all, the degree of isolation of its electrical installation from water vapor and direct contact of moisture. Not all exhaust ventilation pumps can be installed in showers. Typically, the packaging contains a note for which rooms the product is intended for according to the degree of humidity. The minimum percentage indicates that the unit is designed for installation in a toilet or kitchen and is not able to withstand splashing on it.
Noise level
In the technical passport, which must be included in the kit for the electric fan, the parameter of its noise is always indicated. Usually, for high-quality products, it does not exceed the threshold of 35-25 dB, which is permissible for normal human perception. If you need absolute silence, when the bathroom is located in close proximity to the bedrooms, you can install silent in-duct units.
Additional functions
To make ventilation pumps more functional and convenient to use, manufacturers endow their products with additional features. Among the useful ones are:
- Reverse-acting valve. The mechanism allows you to close the channel when the electric motor stops and the process of extracting vapors stops. The most basic convenience of this function is the impossibility of penetration of cold draft, as well as foreign odors from the street into the interior.
- Electronic timer. This useful addition allows you to turn off the hood not immediately after turning off the light, but after a certain delay, allowing you to better clean the bathroom or toilet.
- Moisture sensor. This function makes the device automatic. When the set humidity threshold is reached, the electronic relay is triggered and the fan itself brings this parameter to the desired value.
- Luminous flux analysis sensor. A ventilation pump equipped with such a system will turn on itself, reacting to a light bulb.
The more electronic innovations are incorporated in the product, the more likely it is to malfunction and possible breakdowns. Automatic systems require a stabilized voltage supply to function properly.
Fan installation
Usually, the manufacturer, in addition to the passport for the equipment, supplies the product with instructions, which indicate the installation diagram in stages. If there is no such information, you can follow these instructions during installation:
- Use latches or countersunk screws to remove the bezel from the device.
- The plane of the unit, which will adjoin the wall, usually has mounting holes. You can fix the device using these holes, having previously drilled the seats for plastic dowels in a tile or other material. If it is difficult, you can fix the mechanism to the plane using liquid nails.
- Before fixing the ventilation pump, you need to make an electrical connection of its terminals to the wiring laid in advance.
- The unit is sunk all the way into the ventilation duct and fixed in one of the above ways.
- The bezel is returned to its place, securing it with latches.
After installation, it is necessary to check the device for functioning. For this, the electrical line is connected to the power supply and the toggle switch is turned on.
A properly installed unit will not generate additional noises such as friction or rattling.
Models of popular manufacturers
Among the reliable budget models, you can consider the Vortice fans. They are reliable due to their simple design and high-quality material. The disadvantage is that they make an audible noise.
The original Spanish Soler & Palau hoods are distinguished by a large number of models, are affordable, but they do not always benefit from technical points.
Elite high-end Maico equipment is designed for a long and reliable service. Ventilation pumps are quiet, efficient, have additional functions, but also the appropriate price.
