electrician,home,commercial electrical services
Written by Walt Meyer

Upgrade Your Ventilation Fan for Fresher Bathroom Air – Part 1

If your bathroom air stays humid or has an odor even with the fan running, it’s time to upgrade your ventilation fan. To choose the right type, the bathroom’s size, method of venting, and extra features need to be considered. Part 1 will cover the tips and advantages of upgrading a bathroom ventilation fan. Talk to a licensed electrician about your options and installation for the best results.

Moisture’s Effects

Hot showers and long baths may have negative effects on a house and your health. Moisture and humidity in an enclosed bathroom help create ideal conditions for mold and mildew. Both can deteriorate wood, drywall, wallpaper, paint, and other building materials. Mold and mildew are also known to cause respiratory, nervous system, allergy, and mental health issues. A correctly installed, functioning, and efficient bathroom ventilation fan will remove not only moisture, but also unpleasant odors and mold spores. An exhaust fan is usually needed to comply with building codes, especially if a bathroom is windowless.

Purchase & Installation Costs

Innovation and new technology have made bathroom ventilation fans quieter, smarter, and more efficient. Modern models boast extra features such as motion-activated sensors and heat-exchanger ventilation. Consider budgeting from $75 to $400 for buying a new bathroom ventilation fan and $250 to $500 to pay a licensed electrical contractor for installation.

Venting

In older homes, many bathroom ventilation fans sent the exhaust air into enclosed and unlit areas, such as attics, where humidity can condense on cool surfaces. If this exhaust is filled with moisture, mold can grow and spread, causing damage to walls, floors, and ceilings. Building codes now require a more intelligent and healthy alternative, which are vent ducts that channel exhaust outside the home.

Heat Exchange Ventilator Fan

A standard bathroom ventilation fan removes warmed air from a home, causing a heater or furnace to work harder and waste energy. The solution is installing a heat-exchange ventilator fan, which utilizes warm exhaust air to heat incoming air that is cooler. This device helps save energy costs in the colder months, but heat exchanger models are priced two times more than standard bathroom ventilation fans.

Part 2 will discuss the bathroom ventilation fan’s important features.

Electrical Services You Can Trust

Founded in 1991, Meyer Electrical Services provides home and commercial electrical services in Maryland, Virginia, and D.C., where we are licensed and insured. Based in Bethesda, our team proudly serves all of Montgomery County. Receive a free consultation for custom electrical work today by calling (301) 941-1400.