Do Bathroom Fans Vent Outside?
Yes, bathroom fans can vent to the exterior of a home. Most exhausting bathroom vents need to pump steamy and moist air somewhere. This is why safety standards recommend bathroom fans to vent outside of the house.
However, where the air is venting depends on the installation of the ductwork. If an electrician installs the bathroom fan duct correctly, the air will pump outdoors on the roof or shingles. This is an ideal scenario because roof coverings and shingles can withstand water and moisture.
If the electrician does not install the bathroom exhaust fan correctly, the ductwork will not remove moisture outdoors. Instead, the exhaust duct may push the humid air into the attic. This can potentially lead to moisture damage and other preventable issues in your attic.
Another factor to think about when venting outside is the fan size. The correct fan size allows you to remove an effective amount of moisture from the bathroom. A fan that is too small won't remove adequate amounts of moisture to prevent mold or mildew growth.
For bathroom fans, the size is measured in cubic feet per minute. Most fans range from 50 CFM to 150 CFM.
While ducted bathroom fans vent outside, ductless bathroom fans do not. Ductless fans keep air fresh by recirculating filtered air throughout the bathroom.
Benefits of Venting Outside
There are many benefits for venting your bathroom fan outdoors. These benefits include:
- Improved air quality
- Odor control
- Energy Efficiency
- Moisture Control
Improved Air Quality
One of the key benefits of having a bathroom fan venting is that it improves air quality in your bathroom. When the bathroom fan exhaust is working properly, it removes dirty air from an area and circulates fresh air.
This is beneficial because the fan ductwork will push the dirty indoor air pollutants outdoors. As the old air is pushed out, clean outdoor air is filling the space.
Odor Control
By venting outdoors, you can also remove unbearable odors. The vent fan will push those odors out of your bathroom and into the outside air. This will prevent you from having to smell those odors later when returning to the bathroom.
Energy Efficiency
Venting outdoors is also beneficial because it is energy efficient. Check for the Energy Star certification to ensure you are getting an energy-efficient option. ENERGY STAR certified items operate 60% more efficiently than non-ENERGY STAR rated items.
If you choose a bathroom fan that has smart controls, the fan will automatically turn on or off when needed. This helps especially when the bathroom becomes too humid. Shop bathroom fans with humidity sensors today at HomElectrical!
Moisture Control
Moisture control is another benefit of venting your bathroom fan outdoors. Having the bathroom fan vent outdoors pushes the moist air out of the bathroom.
Moisture control is beneficial because it prevents high humidity levels. Higher humidity levels can lead to structural damage due to mold growth. With bathroom exhaust fans, you can prevent damage occurring. You can also prevent rust and corrosion from happening as well.
Recommended Products
Where else can you vent your Bathroom Fan?
While venting outside is the best option when venting bathroom fans, there are other ways to vent your fan.
One way you can vent your bathroom fan is through soffit vents. Soffit vents are ventilation devices that are installed underneath the eaves of a roof. They allow air to go in and out of an attic.
Soffit vents also work to prevent moisture issues. Vented soffits help to control humidity which prevents mold and mildew from growing.
The downside of using soffit vents is they can pull the moisture from the ductwork back into the attic.
A common process many homes use is venting into the attic. While this is common, this is not ideal to do. The vented moisture will build up and create mold and other damage in your attic.
This is problematic during the winter when the house gets cold. This is because the water vapors attach to cold surfaces, which creates damage in wood and other surfaces.
Summer heat and humidity promotes mold growth. This can lead to structural damage and unwanted repair costs.
If you think your bathroom fan is venting in the attic, call a licensed technician to fix your ductwork before any damage occurs.
One place you should never vent your fan to is ceiling joists in the wall. This is because there will not be a chance for the moisture to vent outside your home.
Conclusion
The best way to vent your bathroom fan is by venting it outdoors. Venting them outdoors is beneficial to you and your home! Browse HomElectrical to find bathroom fans today!
Recommended Reading
Bathrooms account for a large part of indoor, residential water use. By reducing the amount of water used along with other simple changes, you can create an eco-friendly bathroom!
Globe light bulbs are perfect for bathroom vanity lighting because they provide clear, even, and diffused light. They come in a variety of sizes, finishes, color temperatures, and more.
.jpg&w=500&q=75)
An exhaust fan is essential for maintaining proper ventilation in residential and commercial spaces by removing stale air, pollutants, and moisture, making spaces more comfortable and healthier. They help regulate temperature, control humidity to prevent mold, and expel contaminants, ensuring a cleaner and safer environment.
While electric hand dryers require a high initial investment, they save money in the long run! Additionally, they offer a greener way to dry hands.
Recommended Products
Receive special deals and more, right to your inbox
Receive special deals and more, right to your inbox