If you’ve lived in a house that lacked exhaust fans in the bathroom, then you already know why having one is essential. Nobody wants to use a bathroom that has all sorts of smells from shower gel to accumulated mold.
It’s also a no brainer that a moist bathroom can create thriving conditions that are dangerous for your health. However, despite your efforts to keep your bathroom cozy, just how long you should run your bathroom exhaust fan? The rule of thumb is: until all the moisture or odor is cleared.
But first, let’s learn how an exhaust fan in your bathroom works.
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How Does a Bathroom Exhaust Fan Work?
Bathroom exhaust fans use a suction method to remove moisture and bad smells from the bathroom. The fans are often placed on the ceiling because hot air rises to the top, making it easy to expel to the outside. Fans are usually connected to the outside using a vent so that the moisture and odors are directed away from the bathroom.
However, you have to make sure that the ductwork from your bathroom leads to the outside. Otherwise, you may end up dispensing moisture and odors from your bathroom and directing it to your attic. If you end up with such a scenario, your attic could become a harbor for mold and other fungi.
Types of Bathroom Exhaust Fans
Picture this:
You wake up, rush to the bathroom because you’ve overslept and you might get late for work. You even carry your breakfast to eat on transit. What happens is that as soon as you get out of the shower, you switch off the lights and dress up hurriedly. Well, guess what, you’re harming your bathroom with excess moisture.
Most bathroom extractor fans turn on with the trigger of movement while others are turned on by the lights switch. It, therefore, implies that once you get out of the bathroom, the fan stops working. Consequently, the moisture from the shower condenses on the walls, ceiling, and floors creating the foggy mirror syndrome.
Other fans have a humidistat that’s triggered by the amount of humidity in the atmosphere. If there isn’t any significant humidity, the fan stops working. Other fans have a run timer such that they function according to the pre-set time during and after a shower. Bathroom extractor fans with run timers are the best because they can help you save energy while eliminating moisture and odors.
You can also choose from bathroom exhaust fans that have a heater and a light all in one.
Manual fans are difficult to use because after a shower, if you’re in a hurry, it’s possible to leave them running all day long. Well, this translates to more money spent on energy. Therefore, most homeowners will turn off their bathroom fans as soon as they get out of the shower.
Now with an understanding of how bathroom extractor fans work, let’s jump right into understanding how long they should run.
How long should Bathroom Extractor Fans Run?
By now you’re probably wondering how long your bathroom fan should run. According to experts, you should allow your fan to run throughout your shower.
After you leave the bathroom, you should let the fan run for another 20 minutes, after which all humidity and odors are eliminated. If you’re worried about forgetting to turn off your fan, install a fan timer that will put it off after the 20 minutes.
How to Insulate a Bathroom Exhaust Fan
It’s essential to insulate the duct on your bathroom exhaust fan system to prevent condensation of moisture and possible leaks to your walls and surfaces. Condensation mainly occurs as the warm air passes through the duct work, thus the need for insulation, especially in cold weather.
The cold air may flow back to the rooms, making them extremely cold, especially when the fan is not in use.
Are you wondering how to insulate your Panasonic bathroom exhaust fan duct? Here is how.
There are many ways to insulate your bathroom exhaust fans whether you’re using a Panasonic model or any other. However, the most inexpensive and also effective method is by use of aluminum duct tape. With this method, you can easily make it a DIY project during the weekend and seal all the ducts.
If you have a vent with a double damper, then you can efficiently insulate the exhaust fan duct using a vent hood. Vent hoods are also affordable and easy to install without professional help.
Final Remarks
In a nutshell, bathroom exhaust fan ducts should run all through your shower and about 20 minutes after your shower.
Bathroom exhaust fans eliminate moisture, smells, and possible mold buildup from your bathrooms. It’s also important to seal your Panasonic exhaust fan duct using an insulator to prevent cold air from flowing back to the house especially during winter.