Keep windows open during and after showering As with the extractor fan, leave your window open for at least 15 minutes after you've finished in the bath or shower to allow plenty of time for the air to circulate and moisture to escape.
Technically it depends which is higher than where the vapour is being produce - an open window above a bath will take out more steam than an expelair on the opposite wall . A cooker hood above a hob will extract ( as long as it's pretty straight run to outside) better than an open window a few feet away etc .
Ventilation is key to reduce mold in the bathroom
If the fan holds up the toilet paper, then the fan is working properly. Keeping the bathroom door open while running the fan will allow for air exchange from other parts of the home. It is also important to make sure that the exhaust fan is vented outdoors.
While your ventilation system may be powerful and efficient enough, it is still advisable that the windows you get are operable. This will help you naturally balance the humidity in the bathroom, as well as provide it with fresh air.
Beyond their location in proximity to water sources, an extractor fan should also be sited as high as possible and as far as possible from the source of the replacement air. In practice, this usually means that the fan should be placed high on the wall opposite the internal door to the bathroom.
You should also heed the placement of the fans. Air should travel in clear path through the case. Generally, you want the case fans in front of the case drawing in air while the fans at the rear blow air out. If your case has vents at the top, they should be placed as exhaust fans because hot air will rise.
This is an efficient way of maintaining a comfortable climate in an enclosed space as it can provide relief from hot and stuffy conditions. Extractor fans are therefore an effective way of cooling a room and should be considered as an option when looking for ways to manage the temperature in a particular area.
Do you need an extractor fan in the bathroom? All bathrooms require some source of ventilation, whether this is in the form of a bathroom extractor fan or an openable window.
Well, depending on the size of your bathroom, the time may vary a little, but the general consensus is that leaving the fan running for about 20 minutes after a shower is long enough to remove the moisture from your bathroom.
A window used for bathroom ventilation must be at least three square feet and should be able to open at least halfway. Installing a local exhaust fan will relieve that need to crack a window, however. Your bathroom fan must be able to pull out at least 50 cubic feet of air per minute (CFM), as per ASHRAE guidelines.
Most experts suggest that you must not leave your fan on for long periods. You will only waste energy if you leave your fan on for a long time. Instead, it would be better if you used it only during and after your shower. That way, you will not waste a lot of energy and even exhaust out all the humidity.
You should turn on the fan as soon as you turn on the shower or bath water. Additionally, leave the fan on for about 20 minutes after you're finished bathing. This will help keep your bathroom free of moisture and mold.
Shower curtains are prime targets for mildew. If you have a shower with a door, leave the door open to air out the inside of the shower. Doing these simple things each day after you bathe is the easiest way to prevent mold and mildew growth.
Exhaust fans have a specific purpose; they draw contaminants out of the air by sucking out smoke, fumes, and other pollutants from industrial or commercial spaces. In contrast, ventilation fans work to bring fresh air into an enclosed space from outside sources without dispelling pollutants.
An extractor fan can help by removing the moisture-laden air from your bath, shower and sink before the water vapour can condense back into liquid and become a problem. The fan draws out the air and expellsit outside, through vents or ducts. This allows drier, fresh air to circulate through the room.
Extraction Hoods
Pros: They are more effective at removing the cooking smells. Cons: You need to think about where the air duct is going (e.g. directly on the wall behind where the hood is fixed), otherwise you'll need to find a way to hide the ducting. You are also limited to how long the ducting can be (3 metres).
Bathroom Extractor fans use very little power to operate, generally consuming between 5 - 36 watts depending on the make and model. This in comparison to a single 100w lightbulb is clearly far more conservative.
Leaving the exhaust fan running for an extensive period of time can cause significant wear to the motor and may cause a fire. It's a cause for concern, especially when you're not home to hear your smoke detectors!
Install an Extractor Fan
When air is moving around the house, there is less time for moisture to condense on surfaces which will help to reduce damp. Fitting extractor fans in wet rooms such as kitchens and bathrooms is one of the most effective steps you can take to reduce condensation.
The ventilation requirements for a bathroom are 15 litres per second/54m3 per house (this is the measurement of how much old air is replaced by new air and will be stated in the product description of the fan).
It is also worth noting if you are looking to install a new fan rather than replacing an existing unit, that the regulations also state that an extractor fan needs to be installed as high as is practicable in the room but no more than a maximum of 400mm below the ceiling.
You should place outward-facing fans on the warmer side of your home to blow the hot air out and inward-facing fans on the cooler side to draw cool air in, says Barry Jacobs, vice president of product development at Comfort Zone, a home environment product company.
There is no doubt that the exhaust fans in your home have an important job to do, but they can also suck warm heated air from your home and cause your heating bills to spike.