How to Choose an Exhaust Fan? A Complete Guide

As the name implies, exhaust fans or ventilation fans are used to ventilate or push out the moist and hot air from the interiors. However, how to choose an exhaust fan as this is a must-have gadget for your kitchen?

It is crucial to maintain room temperature, whether it be hot, cold, or dry.

It regulates temperature and airflow in your home. In the bathroom and kitchen, ventilation fans are also useful. There are many types of ventilation fans, depending on their intended use. Consider these factors when selecting a ventilation fan.

Types of Exhaust Fans.

• Ceiling-mounted fans are installed face-first on the ceiling and connect to the air ducts via a hole.
• Wall-mounted fans are mounted on the wall and escorts connected to the air ducts via a hole in the wall. A panel on the wall would contain controls, settings and vents.
• Inline ventilation fans can be installed between or inside air ducts. They are quiet because they are installed inside walls. This allows for more wall design options.
• Combination fans combine the best of both types and have the same features as other ventilation fans. Combination fans offer features that are not available with one type of fan.

Airflow Capacity/Cubic feet per Minute (CFM).

The fan’s airflow capacity (or cubic feet per minute) is the maximum amount of air a fan can circulate. It depends on the size and configuration of the fan. A fan will take longer to ventilate a space if the CFM is lower. A fan with a greater CFM will produce more airflow.

The 100-square-foot rule is important when considering small spaces. This rule states that ventilation fans in spaces less than 100 square feet need one CFM. You can use this to determine the CFM required for your fan.

Equivalent Duct Length

A ventilation fan’s performance and effectiveness can be affected by the length and composition of its ventilation ducts. Therefore, it is an important consideration on how to choose an exhaust fan.

The length and composition of the ventilation conduits will determine the pressure and force the fan must exert. Also, if you select the best exhaust fan for kitchen, ventilation won’t be an issue with your exhaust fan model.

There are many metals that can be used to make ventilation ducts. You need to decide which one is best for you. Smooth metal ducts have a pressure equal to the length.

You can find the length of the equivalent duct to determine how much pressure the fan must withstand while moving air from a moist environment to the outside.

Additional features such as heaters and lights on the ventilation fan are great. So, when shopping for one, consider what features you need. A timer can be used to turn the fan off automatically and conserve energy.

Is there a place to use an exhaust fan?

Bathroom

• Bathrooms have very high levels of humidity and moisture. Fogging of the bathroom mirror can be caused by too much humidity. Excess humidity must be controlled to avoid damage to wood or other building materials. A fan that exhausts moist and humid air to improve indoor air quality and air quality
• A bathroom exhaust fan can be a great way to get rid of any unpleasant odours.
• Exhaust fans are important to prevent mildew and mould growth in moist environments.

How do you choose the right bathroom exhaust fan?

• When choosing an exhaust fan for your bathroom or kitchen, the most important criterion is its size. CFM is the cubic feet per minute measurement of exhaust fan airflow. For every square foot of bathroom, 1 CFM is necessary. If your bathroom is smaller than 50 square feet, then you should consider a 50 CFM exhaust fan. Larger bathrooms will need a CFM according to their square footage.
• The exhaust fan should be located near the shower or bathtub in the bathroom.

Kitchen

• An exhaust fan is used in kitchens to remove heat or other fumes from the kitchen while it’s cooking.
• The steam will spread during cooking and it creates a humid indoor atmosphere. The exhaust fan removes humidity from the air and replaces it with fresh air. This prevents mould growth that could otherwise cause allergies, asthma, or other serious respiratory problems.

Note: Because hot air rises up and collects near the ceiling, the kitchen exhaust fan must be located close to it. The exhaust draws the hot air out and expels it.

Do you prefer to have an exhaust fan or a chimney in your kitchen?

• A chimney is better than an exhaust fan for the kitchen. The exhaust fan can only expel smoke and heat to the outside, while the chimney in the kitchen can trap other pollutants such as carbon and small food particles.
• You can place the chimney directly above the stovetop so that the grease and smoke particles will go directly to the source. This makes it easier to clean and maintain the kitchen. 

These were the places where you can install it. Now, we’ll move forward to the last part of how to choose an exhaust fan.

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What Are the Various Types of Exhaust Fans on the Market?

You can install exhaust fans on the ceiling, wall or window. These exhaust fans are available in the following styles:

• You can incorporate exhaust fans that you mount on walls in an external wall or you can integrate them into the window design. These fans expel stale air outside and are extremely efficient.
• A ceiling-mounted exhaust fan is the best option if the window or external wall does not have an opening for it. The exhaust fans you mount within the false ceiling will not work efficiently. You must connect them with a duct to expel indoor air outside. A few ceiling-mounted exhaust fans include a light fixture that acts as an additional light source.
• There are three types of exhaust fans: SS, premium quality SS and plastic. If your home is located near the coast, avoid using exhaust fans with metal finishes. The metal could rust easily.
• An exhaust fan should not make too much noise, and it should range between 0.5 and 1.2 sones (a scale which measures loudness).

You should always look for exhaust fans that offer a minimum of one to two-year warranty from the manufacturer.