An increased level of moisture in the bathroom is a natural condition when the hood is not installed in the room. As a result, this leads to dampness, creates favorable conditions for the reproduction of microorganisms and negatively affects the finishing materials. To solve the problem, it is enough to use an exhaust fan. The device is intended for indoor air exchange. The main types of hoods, important parameters and how to choose the right device are described below.
Varieties of hoods
Before choosing a hood, you should understand their design features. There are two main types of fans:
- axial;
- centrifugal.
Axial fans - a vane impeller in a housing with a motor that drives it. During rotation, the blades inclined inward suck in air and move it along the axis. Such devices are most popular for bathrooms in apartments. Devices differ in design, reasonable price and ease of installation. They are installed on the wall in the ventilation shaft. Axial models are characterized by high efficiency and productivity. Hoods make both up to 100 cubic meters per hour, and more power. The higher the performance value, the larger the diameter of the fan opening. Benefits:
- high performance;
- noise level;
- electricity consumption level;
- compactness.
Among the disadvantages of the axial model, the inability to create high air pressure is distinguished.
Centrifugal (radial) fans - the design consists of a paddle wheel located in a special casing. When the blades rotate, air enters, resulting in compression and discarding by centrifugal force. Of the advantages distinguish:
- improved aerodynamics;
- work in aggressive environments;
- air flow control.
Centrifugal hoods work perfectly with high temperatures, suck out contaminated air and are economical in electricity consumption. But they require an increased cross section of the connection cable, and the noise level depends on the angle of inclination of the blades.
Also, hoods can have additional design features, such as humidity sensors, movement, timer or non-return valve. Let's consider each function separately.
Check valve - a device that regulates the discharge and intake of air. It is necessary to apply in cases where reverse draft is observed in the ventilation system. Smells of food from neighbors, cigarette smoke, etc. should not fall into the bathroom. If the hood has a non-return valve, air does not escape and does not enter the room when the device is turned off. The included extractor hood opens the sash with a stream of air, due to which the ventilation process takes place. Among the shortcomings, the absence of natural air movement is distinguished when the device is turned off.
Humidity sensor - measures the level of moisture in the air and turns on the hood when it reaches a critical level. Thanks to the sensor, you can refuse the switch when taking a shower.
Motion Sensor - reacts to the presence of a person in the room and turns on the hood. It is especially convenient to use such devices in the toilet.
Timer - allows you to program the operation time of the hood. The advantage is a schedule setting and uniform ventilation throughout the day.
How to choose the right option
First of all, you need to decide on how to install the hood. There are two main types of devices:
- wall mounted - mounted directly in the exhaust duct, and the structure is superimposed on the facing material;
- channel - are installed directly into the duct made of metal or plastic, which is hidden behind a stretch ceiling or special design.
The remaining criteria depend on the size of the room and personal wishes. The design, the presence of sensors and additional functions do not affect the quality of air exchange, but only simplifies the process of interaction with the device.
Fan performance - a key parameter on which the quality of air exchange depends. According to the norms of SNiP, in domestic premises, the indicator should be a multiple of 0.5 m3/hour. In the toilet, an indicator of 25 m is allowed3/ hour, and in bathrooms - from 50 m3/hour. The calculation formula consists of the air exchange rate multiplied by the volume of the room.
For example, take a bathroom with an area of 4 square meters and a ceiling height of 3 meters. The total volume is calculated by multiplying 4 by 3 and equals 12 m3. Based on the norms, the air should be replaced 10-12 times per hour. The required performance is 120-144 m3/hour. It should also be borne in mind that the presence of bends in the ventilation duct or a long path reduces the efficiency of the device.
Dimensions must be considered before purchasing the device. An incorrectly selected device will not enter the prepared channel. Have to change the fan or expand the hole. External dimensions exclusively affect the design of the room. The main thing is the diameter of the hole and its depth. As a rule, manufacturers offer ducts in sizes of 100, 120 and 150 mm.
Noise is one of the fundamental parameters that affects the comfort of using the bathroom. Older models and cheap fans are loud. New models have a special design that dampens vibration and unpleasant sound. As a rule, the noise level of quiet devices is up to 26 dB.
Of the additional features, manufacturers offer the following:
- motion and moisture sensors;
- on and off timers;
- indicators about the operation of the device;
- ventilation shutters and check valves;
- cord switches.
How to install
The installation process involves preliminary preparation. If a rough and final repair is done in the apartment, it is necessary to run the cable to the place of installation of the fan and prepare a hole so as not to spoil the tile later. The cross-section of the wire and the size of the hole depend on the selected fan model. Step-by-step installation instructions:
- The fan must be disassembled by removing the top panel and get to the place of power supply.
- Turn off the mains voltage and make sure that it is not there. After that, connect the phase, zero and ground to the desired terminals and securely clamp the contacts with a screwdriver.
- Turn on the common voltage and with the switch and check the operability of the device. If only automatic switching is provided, open hot water and wait for the device to work.
- If everything is in order, it is necessary to install the fan in the prepared hole. It is enough to insert it inside and fix it in the prescribed way. Most household hoods are attached to the wall with dowels. When there is no possibility for drilling holes, special silicone is used for strong fixation.
- After installation, the top panel of the device is put back and its operability is checked. On this, the installation process is considered complete.
What problems may arise and their solution
Installing or using the hood does not always go smoothly. People are having problems using a fan. The main situations and how to fix them are described below.
Outlet mismatch with hood dimensions. The indicator can vary both up and down. With a smaller diameter, it is necessary to expand the ventilation duct to the desired parameter, and any aesthetic problems will be hidden by the external panel of the device.With a large diameter of the hole, a sealing pipe, mounting foam and other types of linings are used.
Doesn't work after connecting power. All devices are tested in production, so the level of marriage is minimal. The most common cause is improper wiring. You can determine the phase using a special screwdriver, and zero and ground can easily be distinguished by color coding.
Poor hood operation. If after installation the device does not provide the necessary air exhaust, the problem is the clogging of the ventilation duct. Check the shaft for cleanliness and absence of debris. For greater ventilation efficiency, it is recommended to choose doors with slots or leave an air gap between the floor and the door.
