Expensive or cheap what is the difference
Cheap models come with standard features. Their design is quite simple - mount, leg, electric motor and blades. If we compare them with expensive fans, then the difference can be both in performance and in the number of additional functions. In addition to the low noise level and powerful drive, the device can have an integrated LCD display that will indicate the air temperature and time. These indicators are not vital, but they increase comfort. The situation is similar with the remote control.
There are also useful features, such as air ionization or automatic shutdown in case of smoke or short circuit. All these characteristics are described in the passport of the device and significantly affect its cost.
The choice of fan depends on your preference. Choose the model that suits you best. Check the operation of the device right in the store, carefully inspect the assembly so that the structure is well attached.
Don't be fooled by advertisements from unknown companies that offer innovative technology at low cost. Use the Internet to get information about a particular fan model, and then you can choose a quality cooling device.
Noise
The ideal fan model should operate with noise levels up to 30dB. It is like a whisper or the measured ticking of a wall clock. True, this is achieved at the very minimum speed.
So that you understand for comparison - the refrigerator during operation has a sound in the range of 38-42 dB.
As you know, extraneous noises tend to overlap each other. The operating noise of all household appliances in an apartment can reach up to 90dB. And this is similar to a passing train a hundred meters from your house.
This volume is very harmful to the health of young children. Up to 2 years old, they cannot make out what is extraneous noise and what is necessary for learning.
Therefore, over time, these children become irritable and nervous. And your constantly running fan will only contribute to this.
In order to preserve the health of children and their nerves, it is very important to have a quiet fan. And here again, models with plastic wide blades and their minimum number win.
Your children will only thank you for choosing such a fan.
They have the lowest performance in actual measurements with special instruments.
Best ceiling fans for home
Ceiling fans ensure air circulation without creating drafts. They do not interfere with anyone, although they have long blades and very effectively cope with their main task.
Soler & Palau HTB-140 RC - compact version
4.8
★★★★★
editorial estimate
88%
buyers recommend this product
See overview
The quiet fan with its compact dimensions shows high performance. Depending on the wiring diagram, it can create air flow from bottom to top or vice versa.
The motor protected from overheating has an extended service life. The unit comes with a wall-mounted wired remote control, but for an additional fee it can be converted for remote control.
Advantages:
- Low noise level;
- Compact dimensions;
- Thermal protection of the engine;
- Possibility of connecting a remote control;
- Metal blades.
Disadvantages:
The remote control is purchased separately.
Soler & Palau HTB-140 RC will be useful both in winter and in summer, dispersing streams of cold or warm air around the room.
Dreamfan Smart 76 - fan chandelier
4.5
★★★★★
editorial estimate
83%
buyers recommend this product
See overview
The compact ceiling hybrid has two independent functions: ventilation and lighting. A lamp with a power of up to 60 W can be screwed into the socket, and it will shine even when the engine is off. The propeller blades are made in a classic design and are made of thin MDF sheets.
The fan has a reverse function, and you can adjust the rotation speed of the blades from both a wired and a remote control, which are sold separately. The standard set includes only switch cords.
Advantages:
- Two devices in one;
- Possibility of control from the remote control;
- Reverse mode;
- Stylish design;
- 2 years manufacturer's warranty.
Disadvantages:
Inconvenient short laces as standard.
The Dreamfan Smart ceiling fan will provide air circulation and replace a chandelier in rooms up to 10 square meters.
What is a suction electric fan in the bathroom for?
An exhaust fan is required to prevent steam from settling on objects in the bathroom.
The heated water in the bathroom tends to evaporate. The gaseous form of the liquid rises up and settles on interior items in the form of small drops or a film. Constant wetting leads to the following consequences:
- Rapid damage to items. This is especially true for various metals that are oxidized.
- The appearance of mold fungi. In addition to unsightly dark formations, mold spores can exacerbate allergic reactions and respiratory tract disease.
- An unpleasant odor develops. This may be the process of decay of materials.
- In a humid environment, bacteria and some species of insects multiply very quickly, not all of which are harmless.
- Condensation of steam on live surfaces can lead to a short circuit in the electrical wiring.
To neutralize all these negative aspects, it is necessary to put an electric fan on the hood in the bathroom and toilet. There are options for organizing the natural circulation of air, but in rooms for this purpose, such a system is not always suitable due to the intensity of vaporization.
What are the fans: types
Depending on preference or location, there are fans, not only different in power and diameter of the blades, they also differ in shape. Floor standing devices are more popular because they are the most practical and powerful. Tabletop will supply air to a small area, and ceiling, although considered the most efficient, have a complex design and installation.
Floor standing
This type is most common in everyday life. They consist of legs, a stand and a main air supply structure. Their practicality lies not only in easy movement, but also in ease of assembly. Budget models are endowed with several speeds and the ability to adjust the air flow. In more expensive devices, you can see an LCD display with a timer, time and air temperature, as well as control using a remote control. However, in some cases, this can also be considered a disadvantage, since more electricity is consumed.
Tabletop
Floor standing models are intended for individual use as they capture a small airflow radius. More often than not, they do not have any additional functions to increase comfort. Multiple speed modes and a power off button.
Ceiling
Efficient but not practical fans. They are usually supplied pre-assembled, for ceiling or chandelier construction. The disadvantages include the high cost. But such a device has more advantages:
- large area capture;
- large blades;
- fast cooling of the room;
- does not take up space in the room.
Duct
Duct fans work on the principle of floor or tabletop, however, they are designed to extract air. In appearance, such devices resemble a pipe, inside which there are blades.In everyday life, they are installed in the kitchen or bathroom to eliminate odors and excess moisture. In industry, they also extract air from rooms, whether it be a factory or a store.
Types of exhaust fans for bathroom and toilet
Different types of exhaust fans for bathroom and toilet
When choosing a fan in the bathroom, you need to decide on its type and size.
At the point of attachment of the product there are ceiling, wall, channel. The most widespread are wall options. They are easier to maintain and install.
Ceiling ones are better in performance, efficiency, and are more often used for spacious rooms. Ducted are installed inside the duct, which causes certain difficulties during installation and cleaning.
The following types of fans are distinguished by the type of construction.
Axial fans
In general, this is an engine with an impeller (blades) in a cylindrical housing. The air moves parallel to the axis of rotation of the motor. There is a manifold at the entrance to improve aerodynamic performance.
Installed in the holes of the ventilation duct on the wall or ceiling. They have good efficiency, with a capacity of more than 100 cubic meters per hour, and are suitable for standard bathrooms in apartment buildings.
Modern products have a low noise level, low power consumption, and high efficiency. However, some older and cheaper models are noisy.
A variety of cases allows you to choose the right device for any interior. This type of device is popular for its affordability, ease of installation and easy maintenance.
Radial (centrifugal)
They consist of a spiral casing in which a wheel with blades and an electric motor is installed. Capable of handling large air volumes.
When the wheel rotates with the blades arranged in a certain way, the air is sucked into the gaps and begins to move in the radial direction.
Further, under the influence of centrifugal force, the air flow is compressed, enters the spiral casing, from which it exits into the outlet.
In a cylindrical body, a wheel rotates with blades located at the same distance parallel to the axis of rotation. Depending on the direction of the blades, there are options with one-way and two-way suction.
Single-sided products consume 20% less energy, easily tolerate overloads when pumping large volumes of air. Double-sided versions with a smaller diameter have increased efficiency, reduced noise level.
Advantages:
- compactness;
- profitability;
- low noise;
- high performance.
The disadvantages include higher cost compared to axial models.
Duct
Duct versions have a simple design and are suitable for use in large wet areas.
They are produced in rectangular and round housings, which are built in at the inlet or outlet of the air duct, but more often inside it - in the flow path.
They help out when the power of the axial product is not enough for the normal functioning of ventilation.
Advantages:
- versatility - suitable for round and square pipes;
- low noise at high power;
- high performance.
Disadvantages:
- it is not recommended to install in flexible air ducts, since they may not withstand strong draft;
- in some cases, the noise level rises when entering into resonance with the air duct;
- high price;
- the complexity of installation and maintenance.
When installed at the inlet to the ventilation opening, an additional part is required - an anemostat, to protect the ventilation system from condensation. To reduce noise, sound-absorbing materials and rubber inserts are used.
For efficient operation, the fan must be a sealed structure with an air duct.
Bathroom fans are subdivided according to several other characteristics.
Manual control
Turning on and off such an exhaust version is performed using a rope (cord).
The switch is located outside or built-in. As a rule, the built-in appliance is connected to the light switch in the bathroom.
This saves energy, but the hood does not have time to pump out the moist air.
Some models have a lanyard associated with the switch, which allows you to start the device with the lights off and vice versa.
Automatic
The motion sensor is located at the bottom right.
Fans with built-in humidity sensors, operating independently. At high humidity, the sensor is triggered, giving a command to turn on the device.
When the moisture level returns to normal, the device turns off. There are models with motion sensors, with timers, connected to the “smart home” system. For all these add-ons you will have to pay extra.
Exhaust fan selection rules
Bathroom fan selection algorithm
First of all, you need to decide on the size of the product, based on the inlet ventilation opening of the ventilation duct and the area of the room.
To answer the question of how to choose a fan for a bathroom and toilet, let us consider the main characteristics of the exhaust device: performance, safety, noise level, additional functions.
Performance
The main criterion when choosing a bathroom fan is its performance. It will depend on the power of the engine.
But fans of the same power work with different efficiency in large and small rooms. For the convenience of calculations, the term "air exchange rate" has been introduced - the number of air change cycles in a room per hour.
The recommended multiplicity for 3 residents is up to 8 units. You can calculate the required performance using the formula:
P = V × K, where P is the performance, V is the volume of the bathroom, K is the multiplicity.
For example, for a family of 4, we will choose a multiplicity of 9 units. The volume of the bathroom (a × b × h) 1.9 × 2 × 2.5 m is equal to 9.5 m3. As a result of multiplication, we obtain the required capacity - approximately 86 m3 / hour.
For comparison, a typical toilet fan moves 95 to 100 cubic meters of air per hour.
Security
The electrical components of the bathroom hood fan require enhanced protection against high humidity. A device not protected from moisture will provoke a short circuit, everyone knows about the possible consequences.
Therefore, the choice of an exhaust fan for the bathroom should be done in specialized plumbing departments. Low-voltage models with a voltage of 12-24 V are suitable for operation in a humid environment.
Depending on the degree of protection against moisture, the products are assigned a moisture resistance class (IP) in accordance with the international standard IEC 60529.
The minimum class for bathroom devices should be IP44 or IP24, where the first number indicates what the enclosure is capable of protecting, and the second (“4”) indicates protection against splashes falling in any direction.
Pay attention to the second number, it should not be less than 4. Maximum degree of protection IP68 - for dustproof devices that can withstand immersion deep under water
Noise level
Noise level of individual exhaust models of some manufacturers
The turned on bathroom fan makes noise due to the rotation of the blades and the operation of the engine. A comfortable sound level of an operating device is considered to be a range of 30-35 dB during the day and up to 25 dB at night.
Pay attention to this parameter when buying. There are more expensive silent models
Additional sounds can be produced by a metal duct, therefore, if sound comfort is an important component, then it is better to use plastic pipes.
Additional functions
Additional options make modern bathroom exhaust fans more functional and a little more expensive. Some of them are appropriate in certain situations, while others simply make life more comfortable.
Let's figure out how to choose bathroom equipment.
Check valve
Prevents air from entering the room from the ventilation shaft. In the event of foreign unpleasant odors, the installation of a non-return valve is mandatory.
In addition to odors, dust, insects and various microorganisms can enter the bathroom. Equipping with a valve will not greatly affect the cost of the device.
Timer
Allows you to set the time intervals between fan starts. The control is carried out by means of a mechanical regulator or remotely.
More complex programs allow you to program the operating time for specific hours and even minutes.
A common timer operation mode: when the fan is connected to the bathroom light switch, it continues to run for a while even after the light is turned off. After setting, you do not need to turn the device on and off manually.
Motion Sensor
Often it is associated with the general lighting of the room, that is, when someone enters the bathroom, the light and the fan are simultaneously turned on.
Typically, such sensors work in conjunction with a timer to delay the shutdown of ventilation for a certain time. A definite plus: you can not use the switch.
Air humidity sensor
An interesting solution for an exhaust fan in a bathroom with lighting
When the humidity in the room exceeds the norm, the sensor will command the fan to turn on. After the humidity has returned to normal, the device will turn off.
Another name for the device is hydrostat. Advanced models allow you to independently change the response threshold, but they cost significantly more.
Substrate stability
The stability of the fan is critical. If there are children or pets in the family, they can in one way or another touch the windblown rack.
And when it falls, many problems can arise. It all depends on where exactly it will fall.
By the way, even a new fan often fails after the very first overturning. What breaks with it and how to fix it with your own hands, read in a separate article.
There is a huge variety of base designs on which the stand is attached. But the most common are only three.
The most common is the cruciform base.
The round stand is less common.
There are also monoblock-type fans. They don't have any legs at all.
Which of these foundations is the most stable? The cruciform base, despite its external reliability, loses to everyone else.
One good push is enough and such a fan will calmly fall on its side. But the round leg is the most stable option.
Therefore, if you have a choice, then give preference to the round shape.
How the fan works
The essence of the fan is to move air using curved blades directed in a certain direction. Depending on the power of the engine, the blades rotate along the axis with the appropriate force, repelling the air flow, and is intended not only for everyday life, but also for cooling various devices and equipment.
Fan device
There are many types of fans, but almost all of them have the same design. The blades are mounted on a shaft that rotates with an electric drive. The blade and motor sizes differ according to the application. In everyday life, the diameter of the blades usually reaches 40-50 mm, in industry, the dimensions can vary from 1 to 3 m. During the blowing process, the blades capture air and repel it along the axis.
Does the fan cool the air
A household fan does not cool the air, it just creates wind. Even if he works for days, the air in the room will not cool down. A person purposefully directs him in his direction in order to feel the breath of the wind.In the heat, increased sweating appears on the body, which takes away excess heat, and the fan simply speeds up this process.
How the fan on sensor works
Devices with motion sensors are more commonly used in offices. The essence of their work is as follows: a sensor with an infrared eye is located in proportion to the axis, which reacts to movement. As soon as a disturbance is generated, the drive starts immediately. As a rule, such fans differ from the standard ones in price. If you buy a cheap device with an on-sensor, then most likely the fan will not work correctly, not always react to movement and turn off.
Miracles of the XXI century: about additional opportunities
But the surprises don't end there either. It turns out that not so long ago, manufacturers have launched the production of new generation fans, the so-called "smart" novelties. How will these miracles of technology please us? Of course, a list of additional functions. Among which:
- The presence of a timer. After disconnecting from the mains, the ventilation process continues for some time, depending on the program, from 2 to 30 minutes.
- Built-in motion sensor. The device reacts to the presence of a person and automatically turns on the ventilation system.
- A humidity sensor is installed. The principle of operation resembles the previous version, only now the main criterion for the operation of the device is the level of humidity in the room.
- Constant ventilation mode. The fan circulates air constantly, independently adjusting the intensity of work.
- Availability of watches.
- Additional splash protection (identified by IPx4 code).
-
Built-in non-return valve. Prevents air re-entry.
The cost of new products is, of course, higher than that of standard models. However, smart fans very often combine not one but several functions listed above.
Fire safety
Let's start with the most important thing - fire and electrical safety. Do not forget that any fan is an electric device.
One careless movement or accidental short circuit, and instead of cooling the apartment, you can burn it. And not every one of you has special spark protection devices that easily prevent such accidents at an early stage.
If the wiring is shorted to the case from the inside, it may well shock you. Therefore, you should not carry the wind turbine from place to place when it is on.
Also pay attention to the material of the case. On the one hand, solid metal is a great fire safety, but in terms of electrical safety, plastic looks more advantageous
True, it is desirable that it be non-flammable. Check this in the product passport.
Also in the documentation, be sure to look for an indication that the engine has overheating protection. It can be a miniature thermal relay that breaks the circuit when the temperature of the windings exceeds 145 degrees.
At this point, the impeller stops and the engine will not start again until the temperature drops. Without such protection, this is a real fire hazardous unit.
Best heat fans for home
Thermal wind turbines should be attributed to heating devices. But if you turn off their heating, you get the most ordinary fan for a small room.
Ballu BFH / C-31 - economical and safe
4.7
★★★★★
editorial estimate
87%
buyers recommend this product
A fan with a ceramic heater quickly and efficiently heats the air in winter, while consuming less energy than spiral counterparts.
It is absolutely safe for animals and children, does not burn out oxygen and does not dry out the air. And in the summer, it can be used as a blower instead of the tabletop model.
Advantages:
- Ceramic heating element;
- Powerful airflow;
- Overheating and rollover protection;
- Built-in thermostat;
- Compact dimensions.
Disadvantages:
Not suitable for large rooms.
The Ballu 2-in-1 fan and heater is suitable for home or summer cottages as an additional source of ventilation in summer and auxiliary heating in winter.
Resanta TVC-2 is a powerful and inexpensive fan heater
4.5
★★★★★
editorial estimate
84%
buyers recommend this product
See overview
In addition to cold blowing, this fan is able to warm up the room or maintain a stable temperature in it, since it has two thermal modes and a built-in thermostat. The inner coil heats up in just 1 minute, so you don't have to wait long for warm air.
The resanta has a simple design and light weight, is extremely easy to operate and absolutely mobile.
Advantages:
- High power;
- Overheat protection;
- Light indication;
- Thermostat;
- Low weight;
- Low price.
Disadvantages:
High power consumption.
Resanta TVC-2 will easily ventilate or heat a small living room, study or garage.
Do I need to create forced ventilation in the bathroom, or can you get by with natural ventilation?
In the projects of most private and multi-storey residential buildings, only a natural exhaust-type air circulation system was provided for in the bathrooms. This led to the fact that during the shower, steam or unpleasant odors were discharged at a certain rate through a small ventilation hole.
Exterior view of the ventilation grill covering the air duct of the natural ventilation system
Such a system did not always cope with the circulation of the required air volumes and dampness accumulated in the bathroom, creating an ideal microclimate for the development of bacteria or mold growth. The reasons for this were mainly errors in the design of ventilation ducts or their clogging during operation. In the worst case, the unpleasant smell could go in the opposite direction due to a change in draft, for example, when opening a door to a room.
Air flow visualization
When installing forced ventilation, due to the correct selection of the capacity of the hood, all these disadvantages can be avoided. As a pleasant bonus, it will be possible not only to remove polluted air, but also to take fresh air from the ventilation, if an appropriate ventilation system is used, or to provide mixed modes of operation for blowing and blowing. That is, if you install an exhaust fan for the bathroom, then the following advantages will appear, compared to the natural ventilation method:
- Increased air exchange with the same size of ventilation ducts.
- Complete absence of condensation on walls or ceilings due to high efficiency of steam extraction.
- Improving the dryness of the room.
- Stabilization of the temperature in the bathroom by exchanging air with the interior or exterior.
- No accumulation of dirt in the channels due to powerful air flows.
Hood design with non-return valve
Why do you need a check valve in a fan design?
When organizing forced ventilation, situations may arise when several fans are operating simultaneously, which take in or release air. With complex trajectories of its movement, vortices or pressure drops can be created. As a result, circulation may be disturbed and an unpleasant smell, along with the steam, will go to neighboring rooms. To prevent such situations, a check valve is used, which timely closes access to the ventilated channel.
The operating principle of the hood is shown when the check valve is open.
Types of check valves for fans
Check valves may differ in material of manufacture, shape, actuation mechanism, method of installation, as well as throughput. Usually plastic or metal is used as a material. Plastic is the most profitable, as it is resistant to moisture, low maintenance and does not significantly increase the cost of the entire device.The metal has increased strength and therefore is resistant to various mechanical influences. The moisture-resistant non-return valve installed on the bathroom exhaust fan is identified by the protective cover.
The appearance of the plastic check valve
Metal check valve
The shape of the flap must follow the contours of the ventilation opening for maximum extraction performance. The standard shapes are: round, square and rectangular.
The ventilation valve control methods can be manual or automated. The first ones have increased reliability and low maintenance requirements. The presence of electricity or lack of it will not affect their operation in any way. However, it is not always possible to timely close access to the ventilated channel, which can lead to negative consequences. The automatic design will ensure optimum system performance without outside interference and is therefore the most suitable for bathroom applications.
Which exhaust fan is better
To buy an exhaust fan for the kitchen, bath, shower and other rooms with insufficient oxygen circulation, you first need to find a reliable manufacturer. Then compare the potential with the area of service, the price with the approximate service life. Based on a comparative analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of each nominee, the experts summed up the following results of the review:
- Ballu Green Energy GE-150 - basic model with optimal performance ratio;
- Auramax Optima 5C - versatile compact device of domestic production;
- Erre Cromo 12/5 - advanced functionality, auto actuation of the check valve;
- Cata E-100 G - panel design, compliance with international standards;
- Diciti AURA 4C - noiselessness due to the motor on ball bearings, light weight;
- Soler & Palau Silent-200 CHZ Design 3C - powerful air exchange, reliable assembly;
- Cata X-Mart 10 Inox H - stainless steel panel with LED backlighting, hygrostat.
If you need to perform only the main task - filtration and purification of oxygen, you can look for an inexpensive device from the rating with a basic set of options. For connoisseurs of innovation, “smart” devices that can work without the intervention of the owner are suitable
It is important to familiarize yourself with the characteristics, pros and cons, reviews of previous buyers in advance
A few words about power supply
It turns out that the success of a fan depends not only on its technical characteristics, but also on the way the device is connected to the power supply.
So what are the connection options?
- The switch can be built directly into the case, you are probably familiar with this method, when, by pulling the cord, the system turns on (off). Cons: inconvenience to use, especially in hard-to-reach places.
- The second method is to combine a light switch and a fan. But without the timer function, the fan does not always have time to renew the air, and in itself such a combination is not very convenient.
- Finally, the connection of a separate switch for the hood. In my opinion, the most convenient option.
We strongly recommend that you follow the safety measures! Turn off the electricity before starting work. When connecting the pins of the wires, use twists that have a more reliable effect.
Exhaust fan - the guarantee of clean air in the bathroom