Bathroom fans are essential for removing moisture and controlling odors in the room. Humidity can cause paint and wallpaper to peel or mold to accumulate.  Odors may come from contaminants such as cleaners and air fresheners, in addition to the standard odors associated with bathroom use.  In order to get the best use out of your fan, you need to make sure it is vented outdoors.  It also helps to keep the door open to allow for good air exchange. Here are a few other things you should consider when selecting a bathroom fan.

First, you want to make sure that the fan is the correct size for your bathroom.  You may even want to have two if you have a separate toilet closet.  Air movement is measured in CFM and 50 CFM is the minimum.  As a general rule of thumb, you want 1 CFM per square foot of bathroom area.  If the requirement is based on cubic square footage, use the equation L x W x H x .13 = CFM.  Additionally, if your bathroom is larger than 100 sqft, you can add up the requirements for the number of fixtures – 50 CFM each for toilet, tub, and shower, or 100 CFM for a jetted tub.  It is important that your fan is vented outside with the proper size duct and the shortest run possible to ensure all the moisture is removed.

The second thing to consider is the noise level of your fan. Bathroom fan sound is measured in sones.  The smaller the sone number, the quieter the fan or appliance.  For quiet ventilation look for a fan rated under 1.0 sones.  To keep your fan as quiet as possible, and working efficiently, you should clean it often.  If you see dust on the fan, it is past time to clean it. An easy test is to place a piece of toilet paper underneath the vent.  If the piece of toilet paper sticks, there is proper air flow. If it does not, you may need to clean it. You should deep clean at least once a year.

Finally, it doesn’t matter if you have the proper fan if you don’t use it!  Turn on the fan before you use the bathroom and leave it on for an additional 15 minutes after you’re done.  If you know you will be regularly running out of the house or simply forgetting to turn it off, there are timers and moisture sensing switches that can make your life easier. Set it and forget it. If you follow these tips, you can rest assured your bathroom will stay dry and smell fresh for years to come.