How To Add Exhaust Fan And Duct To Bathroom

How To: Install a Bathroom Fan

Replacing or installing a bathroom fan volition keep mold, mildew, and odors away. Here's how to determine the size and type of fan you lot demand, and what you need to DIY the project.

How to Install a Bathroom Fan

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Bathroom fans don't accept to sound like a jet engine to remove enough moist air to proceed your bath mold- and smell-complimentary. In fact, a loud bath fan may signal merely the opposite: inefficiency. The latest bath fans are so placidity you can barely hear them run, yet they remove just as much air (if not more) than your old rattletrap—and they're more energy efficient too. While most homes that are at least 20 years old take bathroom fans that consume nearly 125 watts of energy and charge per unit 5 to 6 sones (roughly five times the racket of an average refrigerator, which rates only ane sone), today's fans range from a $100 model that uses around 55 watts and rates 1.5 sones to a super-tranquillity 0.3-sone model that uses just 5.viii watts and costs around $200.

Switching out your bath fan for a newer, more efficient model means you'll be able to run it longer to remove more humidity and all the same salvage money on your energy nib, all without the nuisance of an obnoxiously loud roar. You may be humble about taking on the installation yourself, only don't let fear concur you back. This guide to installing a bath fan will set you on the correct course.

Central Considerations Before Replacing or Installing a Bath Fan

Taking on whatever dwelling renovation project tin can exist challenging and rewarding, simply before you decide to supersede or install a bathroom fan, there are several factors to consider, including whether a permit is necessary, the type of bathroom fan that you demand, and both the size and style of the existing bathroom fan.

Determine Whether You Need an Electric Permit

A permit is an official government document that gives a person or company the authorization to perform certain work. It's usually used by local governments to ensure that any piece of work performed on a dwelling house or commercial building is safe and advisable and takes into consideration the age and status of the existing structure, the age of the electric system, and local laws that may inhibit meaning changes to a edifice.

A bathroom fan requires an electric excursion for the fan besides as ducting to carry boiling air to the outside of the habitation for proper ventilation. This work volition likely autumn into mechanical and electrical categories, which generally require a permit. It'southward of import to note, however, that every metropolis has somewhat different guidelines for permits, so check with your local municipality to determine if you need a allow for this work.

Make up one's mind the Type of Fan Y'all Need

Bath fans tin be separated into three types: ceiling-mounted, wall-mounted, and inline fans. It's important to know what type you already have before choosing a replacement.

Ceiling-mounted bathroom fans have a self-independent fan unit that pulls air in from the bathroom and pushes information technology out through ducting that runs upwards to and out through the roof. This is the most common type of bath fan.
Wall-mounted bathroom fans are essentially the same as ceiling-mounted fans, except they are mounted in the bathroom on an outside wall of the house, and their frazzle ducting runs out through the wall instead of the roof.
Inline bathroom fans have one or more exhaust ducts that run to the diverse bathrooms in the dwelling. The bodily fan, all the same, isn't installed in the bathrooms but rather in a remote location, such equally an attic. These fans are typically much larger than ceiling- or wall-mounted fans because they need to exist powerful plenty to provide adequate ventilation to multiple bathrooms.

how to install a bathroom fan

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Select the Correct Size and Style of Fan

Bathroom fans come in several sizes, from modest units that exhaust just 50 cubic feet of air per minute (CFM) to larger units that remove almost 200 CFM. It'south of import to choose the proper fan size from this broad range. A fan that's likewise pocket-size won't remove enough odor or moisture, leaving your bathroom subject to mold, mildew, and peeling paint. One that's too big could, in some instances, contribute to a dangerous negative air force per unit area situation that could pull deadly carbon monoxide back through the flue of a furnace or water heater.

To summate the size that will come across your needs, multiply the bathroom'southward length, width, and height to arrive at total cubic feet. To make up one's mind the target CFM, multiply the total cubic feet by .xiii and round up to the nearest ten. For instance, a 7-by-9-foot bathroom with an 8-pes ceiling equals 504 cubic feet. When you multiply 504 by .13, you get 65, so yous would round up and purchase a 70 CFM bathroom fan. If you have a large bath (600 cubic feet or more) or 1 with a jetted tub, it'due south best to bump upward fan size by 50 CFM.

Quieter fans cost more, but you may decide that the reduced noise is worth the higher price. If y'all have a mold trouble in your bathroom, you may want to consider a model with a congenital-in moisture sensor that runs the fan until the humidity drops to a normal level. For easiest installation, DIYers who are replacing an existing bathroom fan should consider choosing a replacement fan with slightly larger dimensions than their current fan. Retrofit models can exist installed from inside the bathroom, which saves you a trip to the attic, and their larger footprint eliminates the need to patch the wall afterwards.

Tools & Materials

Work light
Extension cord
Flathead screwdriver
Philips-head screwdriver
Voltage tester
Stud finder
See full listing «
Record measure out
Carpenter's pencil
Drywall saw
Reciprocating saw
Self-drilling 1.5" construction screws
Electrical drill/ driver
Aluminum foil HVAC UL-listed record
Twist-on wire connectors
Fire-barrier caulk
Fire-rated expanding cream

A Footstep-by-Footstep Guide to Installing a Bathroom Fan

Stride 1: Switch off the ability to the bathroom fan.

Before you begin any removal or installation, plough off the power to the bathroom fan at the circuit breaker. Don't rely on just the switch to cutting power to the fan. Apply a piece of work lite and extension cord to calorie-free up your work area.

STEP ii: Remove the existing bathroom fan.

If the grille on your bathroom fan doesn't have screws or a knob, pull it directly down to access the U-shaped spring retainers. Clasp the elevation 2 legs of the spring together and lean the legs toward the center of the fan to unhook them from the housing. Repeat the procedure on the other spring and remove the grille.

Disconnect the fan by unplugging it from the receptacle in the fan housing (if equipped with a plug). Probe the receptacle with your voltage tester to make certain the power is off. If the fan is hard-wired, ostend that the power is off past placing the tester leads in the hot and neutral wire connectors earlier removing them. If you observe power, stop and phone call an electrician. Otherwise, remove the fan retaining screw and tilt the fan down and out.

how to install a bathroom fan

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STEP iii: If necessary, measure and cutting a larger hole.

Use a stud finder to locate the rafter or truss in the bath ceiling or a stud in the wall that's nearest the existing fan. Mark the rafter or stud with tape and annotation the location of the vent damper. You'll enlarge the opening by making an L-shaped cut contrary the stud and in the direction of the vent damper. Measure and mark the new cutting lines or tape the cutting template (supplied with your new bathroom fan) in position. And so, leave the old housing in place while yous make the cuts with your drywall saw. Utilize care when cutting nearly the flexible vent to avoid damaging information technology.

Pace 4: Remove the existing electrical junction box.

Locate the electrical junction box within the fan housing. Remove the junction box cover screws or squeeze the comprehend together until the locking tabs undo. Disconnect the business firm wiring and unscrew the electric clench locking ring.

Next, locate the screws or nails that secure the fan housing to the stud or rafter. Remove them by mitt or with a reciprocating saw and metal cut bract. If you have blown-in insulation, slide a piece of thick cardboard into the newly cutting opening as you remove the sometime housing. Doing this will preclude the insulation from falling into the bathroom. Subsequently, in Stride 9, slide the paper-thin sideways as y'all button the new housing into the mounting frame.

STEP 5: Install the new mounting frame.

Slide the mounting frame into the enlarged opening. Extend the frame artillery out to the rafters or studs on each side of the frame and fasten them with i.5-inch construction screws.

STEP 6: Install the new bathroom fan wiring.

Thread the house power wires and electrical clamp into the circular hole in the new fan housing and spiral the locking ring onto the clamp. Then, slide the housing into the mounting frame until it clicks in identify. Practice not connect the wiring yet.

STEP 7: Connect the bathroom fan exhaust ducting.

Connect the flexible duct to the damper assembly and seal the connection deeply with aluminum foil HVAC UL-listed tape (not ordinary duct tape). Orient the damper co-ordinate to the diagram shown in the manufacturer'southward instructions, and adhere it to the housing using the supplied fasteners.

Pace viii: Connect the bath fan wiring.

Connect the hot (blackness) and neutral (white) wires to the respective wires within the fan housing. Wrap the house bare copper wire clockwise effectually the green grounding spiral in the housing and tighten. Connect the remaining bare copper wire to any green wires using a twist-on wire connector. Consult the wiring diagram shown in the manufacturer's instructions to double-bank check your connections earlier restoring power. Secure the junction box embrace with the screws provided.

how to install a bathroom fan

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Stride nine: Secure the bathroom fan assembly to the housing.

Push the fan assembly into the housing and secure it with the screws provided. Install the silencer baffle (if provided) using the screws included with the kit. The baffle is an important dissonance reduction component—don't leave it off. Plug the fan into the receptacle in the housing. Then, plow on the power and test the fan.

Footstep 10: Make full any drywall gaps with fire caulking.

Fill the gap between the fan housing and the drywall with a generous bead of fire caulk to prevent warm air from bleeding into your attic. If the gap is ½ inch or larger, use a fire-rated expanding foam.

STEP xi: Install the new bathroom fan grille.

Locate the grille leap connector in the housing slots and push the grille into place. Square the grille by sliding it slightly with your fingers.

STEP 12: Plow on the ability and test the newly installed fan.

Exam the fan again: The fan should run quietly with no rattling, which would indicate that you lot've left out a fastener. Now, check its suction power past holding a modest piece of toilet paper well-nigh the grille. The fan should suck the newspaper toward the grille. Finally, test for proper damper operation by holding your hand in forepart of the grille with the fan off. Y'all shouldn't feel whatever air move. If everything checks out, make clean up the work surface area and tell all of your friends how handy you are!

FAQs Virtually Installing a Bath Fan

Replacing or installing a bath fan takes fourth dimension and diligent effort to make sure the fan looks great and functions properly. Given the many steps in the project, at that place may be a few questions about bathroom fans and the installation process. Keep reading to find answers to some of the most commonly asked questions nigh bath fan installation.

Q. What type of light bulbs can I employ in my bathroom fan?

Most bath fans that take integrated lights use LED bulbs instead of traditional bulbs. However, halogen bulbs are likewise advisable, and they are more efficient than standard incandescent bulbs.

Q. Can I install an exhaust fan straight over a bathtub or shower?

If the exhaust fan is listed every bit tested and approved for installation over a tub or shower, and it's fastened to a footing-fault excursion interrupter (GFCI), then it can be installed directly over the tub or shower. But make sure to regularly check the bathroom fan grille for signs of mold.

Q. Does it thing if at that place is insulation touching my exhaust fan?

Information technology depends on the type of bathroom fan you have. Cheque the insulation contact (IC) rating in order to make up one's mind whether the bathroom fan can be in contact with insulation or if the insulation needs to be adjusted to permit for prophylactic installation and functioning of the fan. If you are still unsure, there may be additional information included with the production or listed on the manufacturer's website to assistance decide the best class of action.

Q. What is the best way to duct an exhaust fan?

Ideally, the bathroom fan exhaust duct should run directly to the exterior of the home. Avoid running the duct to a soffit or correct under a roof overhang considering moist air could be pulled back into the dwelling house where information technology could atomic number 82 to mold and mildew problems in the attic.

Final Thoughts

Bathrooms are the most common problem areas in the home for moisture aggregating, mold, and mildew. The best way to combat these threats is to install and regularly use a bathroom fan that volition vent the moisture outside instead of letting it linger on the walls, cabinets, and ceiling.

Replacing or installing a bathroom fan is a great project for an experienced DIYer. Don't forget that you'll probably need to become an electrical permit, and be sure to verify the blazon, size, and style of the fan you need before getting started. Also, make sure to check the insulation contact rating on the fan and install the unit of measurement according to the manufacturer's directions to reduce the risk of burn.

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