Bathroom fan recommendations?

operagost · 02-18-2013, 03:28 PM

My 50 CFM Broan bathroom fan is not cutting it. It's probably slightly undersized, because I spec'd it based on a 6x8 bathroom forgetting the shower space. Regardless, I'd like to make sure the replacement really does the job after I redo the bathroom, so I'm looking for a reliable fan in the 60-70 CFM range. I've heard Panasonic; any other recommendations?

strategery · 02-18-2013, 08:40 PM

How long is your duct run? It is vented all the way to the outside and not just into the attic right?

How long do you leave the fan running?

I too have heard a lot of good things about the panasonic. They even have one that runs both a supply and exhaust duct so you're not wasting conditioned air. I think it's called balanced spot ventilator or something.

I bought a small little fan from the big box store a few years ago. I was able to ventilate the bathroom better by putting a timer switch on. It works fine for me now, but if I ever upgrade I'm going to look into one of the panasonics.

operagost · 02-18-2013, 10:49 PM

My duct runs outside. But I have two adjacent bathrooms (only one with a shower) and the two fans share a duct with some sort of T. In addition, for some reason they ran the duct through the longest path possible, to the opposite face of the house when the near side was only about 20 feet from it. I would like to split them up and send the moist air from the full bath down the short path.

If you folks think the Broan is enough as long as I run it longer, I might go the timer route. Maybe combining that with taking the short route with some insulated duct will do the trick.

strategery · 02-19-2013, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by operagost

My duct runs outside. But I have two adjacent bathrooms (only one with a shower) and the two fans share a duct with some sort of T. In addition, for some reason they ran the duct through the longest path possible, to the opposite face of the house when the near side was only about 20 feet from it. I would like to split them up and send the moist air from the full bath down the short path.

If you folks think the Broan is enough as long as I run it longer, I might go the timer route. Maybe combining that with taking the short route with some insulated duct will do the trick.

I'm far from an expert, but I think a timer on the fan is a good idea. Time it to run for an additional 30 min after your shower.

Are there any bends in your duct run?

operagost · 02-19-2013, 03:44 PM

Minimal, fortunately. The duct from this fan goes straight up, then curves 90 degrees to meet the duct from the second fan at some sort of "T" that is hidden under duct tape, then takes a straight horizontal shot outside in the same direction without any more bends. I hope there's at least some sort of PVC T hidden under there, but for all I know it's all just plastic duct held together with tape and who knows how restrictive it might be. Not looking forward to cutting a hole in my house, but it might be less trouble than trying to fit a bigger fan in the space. Putting this one in was bad enough.

2D side view in attic (no curves in the Z direction at all):

Code:

West wall            East wall
|_________________          |  
|           |    |          |
|        [fan1][fan2]       |

bee-man · 02-19-2013, 04:40 PM

Here is another possible solution:

http://www.airscapefans.com/products...m-Exhaust-Kits

Though I don't have one myself, I can vouch for their 1.7 Whole House Fan and customer service.