Tips for Installing a Bathroom Exhaust Fan for Ventilation

Many people who purchase older homes find they need to install a bathroom exhaust fan because it was not part of the original house design. A bathroom exhaust fan can remove unwanted odors and steam from the shower as well as help prevent the accumulation or mold and mildew.

Bathroom exhaust fans can offer different filtering systems depending upon your wants and needs. Some models and designs target the reduction of allergens often found in older homes that many people may be more sensitive to. Other fans simply exhaust air from the bathroom area to the outside. Check with your local home building supply store and take along the measurements of your bathroom area to ascertain which fan will be right for the size of your bathroom and which model will best suit your needs.

Most bathroom exhaust fans will include a template to use for marking the area to cut a hole for your bathroom exhaust fan. Allow about a 1/8" inch from the template edge for extra clearance and ease of installation. A wiring schematic should be included with the bathroom exhaust fan. By following this and all of the manufacturer's recommendations, you should be able to connect the fan wiring to the same connection the room lighting fixture uses. Since the fan requires low voltage power, you may not need a direct wiring connection from the fuse or circuit breaker box - this is mostly necessary for larger bathroom exhaust fans.

Note: Any failure with the lighting fixture that trips a circuit breaker will also turn off the fan and vice versa.

Make certain all wiring connections are safely secured using wire nuts. Always Use caution when drilling and cutting into walls or ceilings to avoid electrical wiring, nails, screws or other objects. As with any electrical work, if in doubt, contact a qualified electrician to wire in the fan and inspect any and all connections required for the installation. Before starting this work, be certain to remove the fuse or turn the circuit breaker off that feeds power to the bathroom. The power may be restored after all the electrical hook-ups have been properly completed.

The routing of the required duct work for the bathroom exhaust fan can be accomplished with either aluminum piping or flexible hose. With ceiling style fan installations, it's a good idea to vent them either directly through an attic space or out to the roof soffit.

Installing a bathroom exhaust fan will provide you with a healthier living environment and can also increase the value of your home.

Remember, always work safely.