Extractor Fans

How to Select the Right Extractor Fan for Your Home

Extractor fans are a definite must-have in all homes as they help remove the moisture from the two main rooms that cause it – bathrooms and kitchens. They can be wall, window or ceiling mounted and there are many different models to choose from and with varying features.

The effectiveness of an extractor fan is measured by its rate of air flow, which is the number of complete changes of air within the room per hour. Typically a kitchen requires 10-15 and a bathroom 6-8 changes per hour.

The capacity of a fan is defined as volume in cubic metres (m³), or cubic feet (ft³), per hour. To determine the minimum capacity of the extractor fan required, you will need to calculate the volume of the room (length x width x height) then multiply that by the recommended number of air changes required. So a kitchen measuring 15m³ (3m long x 2m wide x 2.5m high) and requiring 10 air changes will need a fan capable of extracting 150m³ per hour.

Many extractor fans have timers which allow the product to continue working even after you have switched it off. The idea behind this is that when you leave the bathroom, the fan continues to extract the steam and turn itself off after 10 minutes, which frees you from having to return to the bathroom to turn it off. Advanced features are sensors which turn the fan on when the humidity in a room reaches a pre-determined level. Some models will activate when the sensor detects movement in the room.

As with a dehumidifier, a key point to consider when buying an extractor fan is its noise level. This is listed as the sound pressure level in decibels at three metres. One of the quieter models on the market is listed as operating at 26.5 db(A)3m. Domestic extractor fans can vary in price from around £15 to over £100.