Bathroom Extractor Fan

[anon7683]

Hi,

Any recommendations on the bathroom extractor to replace the one currently in the picture? I have had this for 10 years and the tenant is now complaining of steam on the window and a little bit of mould. The bathroom is attached to the bedroom so I don't want a humidistat that comes on by itself but rather just a traditional extractor fan that stays on for a little bit longer once the light is turned off? Thank you

I would recommend Newlec, comes on with light switch and the time it stays on after light is switched off is adjustable, i had it wired with its own isolator swt, so i can use it as above, not at all or independent of light (so it doesn't come on if i just change the towels, at night etc.
Been fine for 4 years and no mould, in a large ish bathroom, very quiet too.

@pigletjohn any recommendations? thank you!

As it is next to the bathroom, you want a very quiet one or the resident won't turn it on. I expect your duct is only 100mm so it can't be a big one.

Does it go straight through the wall and out the other side? The hole dhould have a plastic tube to line it. Inside and outside grilles may be clogged with hair and fluff and need cleaning. A cowl vent is good for keeping the weather out.

The best quiet fan I know is the Soler & Palau Silent 100, also sold under the Envirovent brand name (same company). You want the one with delay timer, though it needs a Switched and a Permanent live wire.

https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/SLS100CRZ.html

The Envirovent one is sometimes cheaper.

It will run for 100 hours on one unit of electricity and is inaudible when the door is shut, so advise the occupier to run it continually until the damp is gone, especially after a shower.

If you have access to the loft above the ceiling I can recommend one with three or four times the power, but too big for the hole you show.

The one I linked is IP45 Rated so it can be used in zone 1, your electrician will (should) verify that.

Zones are measured from a fixed bath or shower. Washbasins and WCs are not baths or showers and do not have zones (people who sell lighting often do not know that).

https://electrical.theiet.org/media/1450/section-701.pdf

@PigletJohn thank you so much for all of your help. This is great! Is this the other brand that you were talking about? In particular this Fan?

Yes. It's remarkable how much the price varies. If that's a reputable supplier, buy it.

I'm retired now but I have them in my own house, plus a couple of spares.

Don't forget to clean out the hair and fluff.

@PigletJohn thanks so much, i will order the envirovent one as it does seem to be a genuine supplier.

The soler ones are double the price - is there any difference in them or the same?

Same

Check the specs to compare

Key points are ball bearings motor

Integral backdraught shutter

Rubber antivibration mounting

Noise measurement in db

Power usage in W

Air throughput (about 90 cu.m/hrs IIRC)

It's the same company.

I bought the S&P before I knew. They make very good ducted inline fans to go in the loft.

There are some other brands that look similar but do not have the same spec, especially the motor.

@PigletJohn thank you so much for your knowledge, you are incredibly helpful! I hope one day, we figure out who you are as you have helped so many people!

Yes it’s true you are a blessing and deserve your well earned rest
thanks for all you do so generously

@PigletJohn could I ask a supplementary question please? If noise is not necessarily an issue, is it still worth going for the fan mentioned above or is there another you would recommend?
How long should a fan last before losing "suction"? We have the same issue as the OP. The fan used to clear the bathroom of steam and, despite vacuuming it out, it's just not as powerful as it used to be. Many thanks.

It might be clogged with fluff, dust and hair. Take it off and have a look. It is easy and safe if you have an all-poles isolating switch (preferably 2250mm or more above floor level, but anywhere outside zones) and a flex with a bit of slack on it. Like light fittings, turning off at the wall switch or pull cord is not enough for safe electrical isolation. You will be surprised and horrified. Put on a long rubber glove. Clean out the duct and the outer vent or grille. Verify the backdraught shutter is not jammed.

Some fans can get dust in the motor bearings, and most have no ball bearings so the motor spindle can wear out the plastic socket, causing extra friction and noise, and running slower. IME a common budget brand beginning with "M" is bad for that, but most builders like to lob in a cheap fan costing £12 or so, so what can you expect?

IMO the S&P or Envirovent models are worth every penny.

If you need or want a more powerful extractor, I recommend a ducted inline fan, which is bigger and needs to go in the loft, unless it can be concealed in an airing cupboard or something. Otherwise you need to cut a bigger hole in the wall and fit a 150mm or larger fan. This is quite hard and you may need scaffolding. The tool is big and heavy and not safe on a ladder.

Thank you so much for your advice. Funnily enough, the brand name does start with M - ending in "entis"!
I've had the dust cover off but I'll get the step ladder out again to give it a proper service.