What Do Exhaust Fans Do?

Exhaust fans are used to pull excess moisture and unwanted odors out of a particular room or area. They are commonly found in bathrooms and kitchens, where moisture can build up due to activities such as showering, washing, or cooking. They provide ventilation to areas, reducing chemical fume buildup and removing other contaminants that can be harmful when breathed in.

How Do Exhaust Fans Work?

Exhaust fans pull odors, fumes, and moisture from an area of the home, venting them outdoors for removal. The fan uses a motor to turn its blades, which function to pull air out of the space. The stale, humid, or contaminated air is propelled through the exhaust vent, exiting the home.

Exhaust fans operate using electricity. They can be controlled by a wall switch, or certain models are equipped with a thermostat that signals the unit to come on when certain temperatures are reached in the area.

Benefits of Exhaust Fans

Using an exhaust fan is very beneficial for the home, indoor air quality, and comfort of occupants.

• Exhaust fans can quickly cool down areas that have become too hot from activities such as cooking or showering. Hot air is vented outdoors, reducing the temperature of the space without using the air conditioning system.
• Exhaust fans remove excess moisture that can damage the home. Condensation from hot water use can build up on walls, ceilings, and other surfaces, leading to mold growth.
• Exhaust fans improve indoor air quality by removing humidity, odors, and contaminants. They provide adequate ventilation for areas where these air quality-diminishing agents can build up. Stagnant air is vented out of the home, allowing conditioned air to fill the space.

Types of Exhaust Fans for Homes

There are many different models of exhaust fans available for use in homes. Exhaust fans are either vented directly to the outdoors via the unit itself or dedicated duct work, or is connected to your home’s ventilation system. Wall- and ceiling-mounted exhaust fans commonly used in bathrooms as well as range hood exhaust fans in kitchens are typically vented directly to the outdoors. Inline exhaust fans are models that connect to the home’s duct work, expelling air through the home’s existing ventilation system.

Problems with Exhaust Fans

Exhaust fans are not useful to homeowners if they are not operating properly, or are not used in the first place – the two most common issues with this equipment.

• If the exhaust fan is not installed properly, heat and moisture may be escaping into other areas of the home. If the unit is not insulated correctly, the air pulled from interiors can be lost within the home’s attic, which can lead to moisture issues.
• Poor installation can cause the exhaust fan to be noisy when operating. This operating noise sometimes keeps occupants from using the exhaust fan when they should be – such as when taking a long, hot shower, cleaning using chemicals, or cooking a meal on the oven or stove. Not using exhaust fans will cause moisture issues in the home, lingering odors, and poor indoor air quality.

Interested in exhaust fans or your house? Contact Tower Equipment Professionals for more information, pricing and availability at:

1320 West Broad Street                                       92 Weston Street, Unit 31
Stratford, CT 06615                                               Hartford, CT 06120
(203) 375-4420                                                        (860) 724-3138
Fax: (203) 378-7635                                               Fax: (860) 724-0821