Is It Time for a Bathroom Fan Replacement?
Exhaust fans keep humidity and bad smells out of your bathroom and kitchen. If your vent fan isn’t working properly, it may be time to clean it or replace it.
Cleaning an Exhaust Fan
You can help improve your home’s air quality and improve your energy efficiency by keeping your ventilation fans clean. It only takes 15 to 20 minutes, and the payoff is worth it. Here’s how to do it.
- Turn off the power to your fan.
- Remove the vent fan cover.
- Clean the fan cover with warm, soapy water and a rag. Let it air dry.
- Clean the vent blades. Use a soft rag to wipe the dust off the blades.
- Separate the fan blade from the motor, and use soap and water to clean it. Let it air dry.
- If you can’t detach the blade, use a vacuum attachment to remove dust and dirt from it.
- Use your vacuum attachment to clean inside and around the vent.
- Reassemble the fan blade and motor. Be sure the blade is on securely.
- Replace the vent cover.
How often should you clean it? Once a year is enough. For rooms that get heavy use by many people, consider cleaning the fan twice a year.
When Should You Replace the Vent Fan?
Cleaning your vent fan will keep it functioning well, but when do you need think about a bathroom fan replacement? Here are some signs.
It is noisy when you turn it on. If your fan makes loud, rattling, or squealing noises, the motor is probably on its last legs. A scraping sound may mean there’s a broken fan blade inside. These noises are a signal that you need to replace the fan.
The blade doesn’t turn. If the fan in your vent is slow to turn on, this is a sign that the motor isn’t working efficiently anymore. If it doesn’t turn on at all, the motor has probably already failed.
It’s more than 10 years old. Like most appliances, these fans last about 10 years before their parts and motors start to wear out. An older fan uses a lot of electricity, and this can lead to an overheated motor that’s a fire hazard. Replacing it is a good idea for several reasons.
New fans come with automatic shutoff mechanisms, so they’ll turn off automatically if they get overheated.
Choosing the Right Fan
When choosing a new fan, what features should you look for?
Automatic shutoff: This turns the fan off if it uses too much electricity and overheats.
CFM rating: The CFM rating stands for cubic feet per minute, which tells you how quickly the fan can move air through the room. The ratings range from 50 to 150 feet square feet. Choose one that corresponds with the square footage of your bathroom or kitchen.
Sone rating: A sone rating tells you how quiet the the fan is. The lower the number, the quieter the operation. One sone is equivalent to 40 decibels, which is about the loudness of a standard, modern refrigerator.
LED indicators: Some modern exhaust fans come with LED indicators and other sensors that deliver valuable information about the fan’s operation.
Get Fast, Expert Fan Installation from SESCOS
If you need your fan replaced, contact SESCOS. Our expert technicians will make sure the fan is installed correctly. Your safety is always our top concern. Call us for all your electrical needs.