In rooms with high humidity, accelerated formation of oxides on metals and fungal flora on organic materials is observed. This leads to damage to building structures, products and equipment, as well as to a high risk of disease. Areas of increased danger in residential areas include toilet and shower rooms where air humidity is always high. The solution to the problem is an exhaust fan for the bathroom. Properly selected mechanism allows you to normalize the local microclimate.
What is a suction fan in the bathroom for?
Heated water in the bath tends to evaporate. The gaseous form of the liquid rises and settles on the interior in the form of small drops or film. Constant wetting leads to the following consequences:
- Quick damage to items. This is especially true for various metals that are oxidized.
- The appearance of molds. In addition to unsightly dark formations, mold spores can lead to exacerbation of allergic reactions and respiratory tract disease.
- The occurrence of an unpleasant odor. This may be the process of rotting materials.
- In a humid environment, bacteria and some types of insects multiply very quickly, of which not all are harmless.
- Condensation of steam on live surfaces can cause a short circuit in the wiring.
In order to level all these negative aspects, it is necessary to put an electric fan on the hood in the bathroom and toilet. There are options for organizing the natural circulation of air, but in rooms for this purpose such a system is not always suitable due to the intensity of vaporization.
Varieties of exhaust electric fans
The exhaust device should not be confused with the usual cold air injection mechanism. The impeller of the first is designed in such a way that it creates a pulling force towards the channel for removing gases from the room, and not vice versa. Otherwise, equipment of this type can be classified according to the following criteria:
- installation principle;
- unit location;
- design features of a particular model.
When designing the installation of the apparatus, it is necessary to remember the timely laying of the electric line for its power supply. You can control the electric fan with a separate switch button or combine it with the power supply to the shower lighting.
By installation method
For private houses and apartments use domestic exhaust fans in the bathroom. They are installed directly on the outlet of the duct from the inside. There are wall-mounted versions (vertical devices), which are fastened with mounting holes and screws through plastic dowels directly to the supporting wall.
Devices of horizontal position are mounted directly above the place of intense flow of fluid. These devices also have fasteners. In the first and second versions, the impeller is covered with a decorative protective ribbed or mesh panel with a mosquito net.
At the place of installation
External installation of the device or intra-channel is possible. In the first case, these are overhead electric fans of different capacities, which can most often be distinguished in appearance.Their faceplate is usually square in shape with ribs made of plastic, sometimes with a built-in status indicator.
Devices installed in the channel are not visually visible. The panel covering the vent is often circular. Such systems are more commonly used when ventilating spacious areas through ceiling ducts.
By design
Fans for extracting in an axially-mounted toilet are low-power devices with an external rotor, on which an impeller with blades is mounted. Designed for rooms of small quadrature. During operation, they make a subtle noise.
Centrifugal apparatuses are powerful products due to the fact that they have a working element in the form of a mini turbine. High rotor speeds allow you to create a high retracting force inside the channel, which makes it possible to install similar devices in large area houses, as well as expel air through long ventilation ducts.
Devices for installation inside the duct duct are designed in such a way that they can be mounted in either a rectangular or circular section of the pipe. Such devices are not visible from the outside, the channel entrance is covered with a mesh decorative overlay.
Model selection rules
You can not take the first suction unit that comes across and install it in the room where they take bath procedures. It is necessary to build on such parameters when choosing:
- electrical appliance performance;
- technical performance in terms of protection;
- the amount of noise generated;
- overall parameters (diameter).
In some cases, the device requires some additional features. For example, people with disabilities need devices that themselves turn on and off as needed.
Unit power
The more powerful the power plant, the easier and faster the device will remove water vapor from the room and the more space can be cleaned in the required time.
For bathrooms and toilets of standard sizes, household exhaust electric fans produce power from 100 to 60 cubic meters per hour. This parameter can be underestimated in reality if the bathroom does not have free air from other rooms or the street.
Large-sized showers in public places (gyms, fitness clubs, pools, saunas) are not equipped with household appliances, powerful professional hoods are used here.
Degree of security
Under the protection of the device is primarily understood the degree of isolation of its electrical installation from water vapor and direct contact of moisture. Not all exhaust vents can be installed in showers. Typically, the packaging indicates what the product is intended for in terms of humidity. The minimum percentage indicates that the unit is designed for installation in a toilet or kitchen and is not able to withstand splashing on it.
Noise level
In the technical passport, which must be included with the electric fan, always indicate the parameter of its noise. Typically, with high-quality products, it does not exceed a threshold of 35-25 dB, which is acceptable for normal human perception. If absolute silence is necessary, when the bathroom is located in close proximity to the sleeping rooms, silent in-channel units can be installed.
Additional Functions
To make exhaust ventilators more functional and convenient to use, manufacturers give their products additional features. Among the useful ones, one can single out:
- Reverse valve The mechanism allows you to block the channel when the electric motor stops and the process of exhausting vapors stops.The most basic convenience of this function is the inability to penetrate cold drafts, as well as foreign odors from the street into the interior.
- Electronic timer. This useful addition allows you to turn off the hood not immediately after turning off the light, but after a certain delay, allowing you to better clean the bathroom or toilet.
- Humidity sensor. A similar function transfers the device to the category of automatic. When the set humidity threshold is reached, the electronic relay is activated and the fan itself brings this parameter to the desired value.
- Light flow analysis sensor. A ventotsos equipped with such a system will turn on itself, reacting to a lighted bulb.
The more electronic innovations inherent in the product, the greater the likelihood of malfunctions and possible breakdowns. Automatic systems require a stabilized voltage supply for normal operation.
Fan mounting
Typically, the manufacturer, in addition to the equipment passport, provides the product with instructions that indicate the installation diagram in stages. If there is no such information, you can follow these installation instructions:
- Using latches or countersunk screws, remove the front panel from the device.
- The unit plane, which will be adjacent to the wall, usually has mounting holes. You can fix the device using these holes, pre-drilled in tile or other material seats for plastic dowels. If this is difficult, you can fix the mechanism to the plane using liquid nails.
- Before attaching the ventotos, you need to make an electrical connection of its conclusions to the wiring laid in advance.
- The unit is heated completely into the ventilation duct and fixed in one of the above ways.
- The front panel is returned into place, securing it with latches.
After installation, you must check the device for operation. To do this, the electrical line is connected to the power and turn on the toggle switch.
A properly installed unit will not produce additional noise in the form of friction or rattling.
Models of popular manufacturers
Among the reliable budget models you can consider Vortice fans. They are reliable due to the simple design, high-quality material. The disadvantage is that they make an audible noise.
Original Spanish Soler & Palau hoods are distinguished by a large number of models, affordable, but not always advantageous in technical aspects.
Elite high-end equipment Maico is designed for long and reliable service. Ventilation pumps are silent, productive, have additional functions, but also the corresponding price.
