[harpua728]

Hi there,

I have this panel on my kitchen wall above the windows that are over my kitchen sink. I've included a picture of the outside which has a Nu Tone cover of some sort. It leads me to believe that it was an exhaust fan of some sort my I am not sure. The panel is "sealed" shut right now and I can easily remove it but don't want to damage the wall and have to reseal it. The outside cover/flap MAY open if I force it, but again, I don't want to do something that I am going to regret.

The previous owner had a TV over this panel which may mean nothing but I thought it was worth mentioning.

Any idea what this could be and why it's been covered up?

Thanks

 

[SeniorSitizen]

It may have been unsightly to someone therefore the cover.

If you were to remove the panel you would probably see an electric motor with a fan blade and a pull chain that's hooked in a notch. The exterior door is spring loaded to open and when the pull chain is released from its notch the door opens releasing the OFF switch and fan starts simultaneously. So yes, if you force the outside cover/ flap it may cause door cover / flap damage and will surely break the chain or any internal latch mechanism.



Possibly the best most simplistic exhaust fan ever made.

 

[jimn]

These were common exhaust fans for kitchens at one time . The fan may or not be still there . There is quite a large hole through the wall with these things . You could remove it. The interior will just a dry wall patch. The exterior will be a more complex job.

 

[harpua728]

It may have been unsightly to someone therefore the cover.

If you were to remove the panel you would probably see an electric motor with a fan blade and a pull chain that's hooked in a notch. The exterior door is spring loaded to open and when the pull chain is released from its notch the door opens releasing the OFF switch and fan starts simultaneously. So yes, if you force the outside cover/ flap it may cause door cover / flap damage and will surely break the chain or any internal latch mechanism.



Possibly the best most simplistic exhaust fan ever made.

Thanks. Being that these are older fans, would it be effective if I were to use it (assuming it still works)? I would keep it covered when not in use as I too would likely find it unsightly. However, if I could just remove the panel with ease when cooking a smoky meal to air out the kitchen it may be a nice thing to have.

My other concern however is creating a draft in the winter if I were to break the current "seal" (caulk and paint) on the inside. The panel is cold to the touch so cold air is definitely getting in there.

 

[SeniorSitizen]

IIR, the outside cover/flap had a sponge rubber gasket of some sort around the inner periphery to seal air and the flap/door wasn't insulated as such. The gasket may be shot or like mentioned, there may not even be a motor inside any more. The inside panel will need to be removed to determine any of this and then proceed from there.

 

[KC_Jones]

My parents have one of these circa 1977, if you don't mind that they are a bit loud they are actually an amazing exhaust fan. Nutone is still around and you can still get parts for these if you wanted to put it back in service. Nutone is a really good brand of exhaust fan, my parents hasn't ever needed a thing since new. There is actually an interior "grille" and pull chain to actuate the fan. You would need to pull that inside cover and see what you have to work with if you wanted to use it.

 

[Msradell]

While these are quite a powerful fan and removed a lot of air from the kitchen they really weren't that good as an exhaust fan because they allowed the fumes and grease to go all over the kitchen be for being sucked out. A hood over your cooking area or even a downdraft fan on the stove are much better solutions.