If you want more details, you can read my guide on how to insulate bathroom fan ducts.A kitchen extractor hood is now standard in most modern houses and commercial areas, and any remodeling provides the option to adopt one. If you have any signs of water or condensation along the duct, you may need to insulate the bathroom fan duct. Having as few bends and dips possible will maximize the air flow of the exhaust fan.Īnd if the duct is going through an unconditioned area like an attic, you want to closely inspect it for signs of water problems (condensation). Ideally the duct should go in a straight line to the outside, whether it is the roof or exterior wall. If your bathroom fan duct goes through an unconditioned area such as an attic or crawlspace, it’s a good idea to inspect the duct to make sure it’s in good condition. Read Also: What Is The Venting Code Of Bathroom Exhaust Fans? Check The Bathroom Fan Duct I recommend opening up the flapper, and shining a flashlight into the duct to look for obstructions. If the exterior hood has a pest screen, then make sure that the screen isn’t clogged with debris impeding air flow as well. If there is no flapper, then that is also a problem because it may allow in pests and exterior unconditioned air. The flapper is supposed to open when the bath fan is on, but it should automatically close when it is turned off. Sometimes the damper flap also gets stuck due to insects, bird nests, and debris. If the air flow is very weak, then there may be an interior duct blockage preventing air flow. With the exhaust fan turned on, check the exterior hood for strong air flow. The best way to check the exterior vent hood is to first turn on the bathroom exhaust fan. If the exterior hood has a blockage or isn’t working properly, then it will severely restrict the air flow of the bath fan. This is the cover on the outside that has a flapper and possibly a screen. The exterior vent hood is also an important part of the bathroom fan to inspect. Read Also: What To Know Before You Buy A New Bathroom Fan? Exterior Vent Hood And as a last resort, you may need to remove the housing to properly clean it. If that doesn’t work, you can try using a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment. You can also just use some wet wipes to clean it by hand. If the motor and housing is very dusty, you may want to try cleaning it with a can of compressed air - the things used to clean computer keyboards. Cleaning The Motor And Housingīefore even attempting to clean a bathroom fan motor (and housing) - you should cut off the power to the unit at the electrical panel. To learn more, you can read my guide on how to oil bathroom fans. If you have an older fan that doesn’t have a permanently sealed motor, it is smart to oil the motor and shaft every few years - it can make a big difference in performance. Fortunately, newer fans have thermal safety switches that will turn off the fan if it overheats, but if you have an older bath fan you may be out of luck. If the motor is caked with dust, it will cause the motor to overheat, lowering its efficiency, lowering its lifespan, and it may even result in a fire.īelieve it or not, numerous home fires are started every year because of bathroom vent fans overheating. In addition to the bathroom fan cover, another important place to check is the housing and motor for dust buildup.
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