Extractor Fans - Do I Need One? What Do They Do?

Each new room in a house should have adequate ventilation for general health reasons. The type of room will determine how much ventilation is required. Any new kitchen, bathroom (or shower room), utility room or toilet should be provided with a means of extract ventilation to reduce condensation and remove smells.

If you are refurbishing a kitchen or bathroom, you will need to ensure that any existing extract ventilation is retained or replaced. If there is no existing ventilation system, you need not provide one (though you can if you wish).

If your bathroom has an opening window, to conform to being regulation, it does not require an extractor fan. However, they’re generally required in any new build, especially if natural ventilation sources aren’t sufficient.

Legal responsibilities aside, fitting an extractor fan has many benefits over opening a window and you’ll soon feel and see the benefits after installing one; they provide enhanced ventilation and a long-term solution to the onset of mould and damp. No more opening the window on a cold winters day.

Here’s some basic information on their purpose and whether they’re needed for your bathroom.

DOES YOUR BATHROOM NEED AN EXTRACTOR FAN?

If you have an opening window, legally you do not need an extractor fan, but an extractor fan is a much better than opening a window. Firstly, who likes opening the window in the middle of winter? Secondly, opening a window can make any mould and damp in a bathroom worse. When you are having a warm or hot shower, steam is released into the bathroom, as soon as this steam hits any cold air or surface it will start to turn back into water causing condensation leading to mould. Using an extractor fan, the warm steam from a shower does not make contact with cold air until it reaches outside, reducing the condensation in your bathroom and hence reducing mould and damp issues.

Simply put, if your bathroom is suffering from the onset of mould or damp, an extractor fan is highly recommended. With regular use of hot taps and showers, water vapour will build up over time leading to excess moisture and condensation. Likewise, rising damp from the floors below or leaking roofs can also play its part. To alleviate these effects, sufficient ventilation is required.

TYPES OF EXTRACTOR FANS

There are various types of bathroom extractor fans on the market. From wall-mounted fans to ceiling-mounted fans and fans with built-in lights. There are also lower-powered 12v fans with higher IP ratings for wet areas of a room. The required extraction rate should be considered before making a purchase, so too the power supply and noise levels. Another factor is the exterior grille which depends on your chosen fan and building type. Of course, the price range will vary, although they’re not especially expensive to purchase considering the long-term benefits.

INSTALLING AN EXTRACTOR FAN

Ideally, the installation should be completed by a team of professionals, especially as when fitting electrical items near water, you must adhere to certain legislation. This is also to avoid undertaking dangerous work on the building exterior yourself, as well as costly repair jobs if pipes are accidentally damaged. Installations can be made in three main areas – through the ceiling, wall or window – with larger bathrooms perhaps needing more than one system.

EFFECTS OF MOULD

Not only will mould or damp damage your bathroom tiles and grout, but it can also have health repercussions if left unchecked. Mould spores produce allergens and other irritants that can aggravate symptoms such as sneezing, coughing and skin rashes. For those with respiratory problems, asthma attacks or damage to the immune system are not uncommon over extended periods either.

REGULATIONS

Legally speaking, if your bathroom already has a window you do not require an extractor fan. However, if you’re carrying out a conversion then you must retain or replace any current fan mechanism in place. Also, because bathrooms are defined as areas of increased electrical hazard, further regulations due to bathroom ‘zones’ come into play. Check out the IET Wiring Regulations for further information on this. Many bathroom furniture manufacturers also require a bathroom extractor fan to be installed and present to validate their furniture warrantee. It worth reading the small prince on guarantees to see is required to validate a claim if required.

To find your perfect Bathroom Extract Fan please visit us at www.rubberduckbathrooms.co.uk