Bathroom extractor NOT on a timer - is that a problem?

wuntootreefore · 2022-07-30T09:57:05+00:00

Our builder is saying it's not possible to have the bathroom extractor on a timer because of the way the electrics are done in our house. So the extractor turns off when the light turns off. He's saying to resolve this, he'd have to open up the ceiling of all the adjoining bedrooms until he finds the right cable, which is a huge job. Is that a problem, or should we press him to resolve this issue? We're paying £10k for a simple bathroom refit and it's disappointing this extractor thing isn't done right.

dementedpixie · 30/07/2022 11:00

Can you not just leave the light on a bit longer? Ours isn't on a timer either - the old one was but it only stayed on for about an extra 3 minutes

Letsnotargue · 30/07/2022 11:08

Ours isn’t on a timer either. If it’s only on when the light is on it’s easy to put in as it works off the power for the light. If you want it on a timer it has to have a separate power supply so it can operate when the light is off. Bathrooms don’t tend to have handy power supplies like other rooms do so it can be difficult.

If you want it on a timer I’m sure it’s possible but it might take
more time/money/disruption than you think it’s worth.

Original poster

wuntootreefore · 30/07/2022 11:28

Thanks everyone. Should I just leave it then?

OP posts:

tanstaafl · 30/07/2022 12:51

I thought it was the extractor that had the timer in?
so it’s permanently live, comes on with the light at which point the timer starts ?

also is the loft above the ceiling? Should be able to find the lighting circuit easy enough.

OakleyStreetisnotinChelsea · 30/07/2022 12:53

Can you get an extractor that has a humidity sensor so it is independent of the light and timers?

Original poster

wuntootreefore · 30/07/2022 13:05

It's not the extractor that's the issue. There's only one power source at the moment, which is connected to the light and the extractor. So if the light is off, the extractor is off. To put in a second power source would be quite involved.

OP posts:

RainBow725 · 30/07/2022 13:10

Could you have two switches - one for the light and one for the fan? This is what I have so the fan isn't going in the middle of the night which drives me bonkers!

stealthninjamum · 30/07/2022 13:12

I have two cords, one for the extractor and one for the light, so I can have a shower with the extractor on and not the light. When I turn the extractor off it lasts for a further five minutes.

To be honest I think it’s important but would want a specific quote for the job because before we had the bathroom done we had terrible mould from when exh used to shower with the window closed and light (therefore fan) off. If it’s a family bathroom you can’t rely on young children or teens to properly ventilate the room.

NoParticularPattern · 30/07/2022 15:08

Have you actually asked an electrician? In my experience builders either go for the easy and obvious option, or they don’t really know and will therefore make it up to suit what they want to do. The wiring in our house is absolutely batshit crazy (I kid you not it’s just taken them a WEEK to disconnect 4 double sockets in the kitchen because there are wires EVERYWHERE) but having a run on timer on the fan was no problem whatsoever. What is above the room? The wiring that is there must go somewhere, it can’t be entirely impossible to locate it. But definitely ask a sparky.

Ilovefishcakes201 · 30/07/2022 15:40

Your builder is being lazy. And trying to fob you off.
Especially for a £10k bathroom!

He does not need to open up other bathrooms ceilings.
Get an electrician in because bathroom electrics need to be done by a registered electrician.

The actual job is 3c+e cable from light to switch above door. From switch above door to extractor fan.

Really easy job for an electrician.

Cervinia · 30/07/2022 18:27

RainBow725 · 30/07/2022 13:10

Could you have two switches - one for the light and one for the fan? This is what I have so the fan isn't going in the middle of the night which drives me bonkers!

This! When I had my bathroom refit about eight years ago the plumber removed the pull switch inside and put a double switch outside, one for the lights and one the fan. When you switch the fan off it runs for about 15 mins then goes off.

mums just had exactly the same done to hers last week.

DevilsVineBlues · 30/07/2022 19:13

wuntootreefore · 30/07/2022 13:05

It's not the extractor that's the issue. There's only one power source at the moment, which is connected to the light and the extractor. So if the light is off, the extractor is off. To put in a second power source would be quite involved.

Whilst I think it preferable for an extractor to go off as soon as the light is switched off in a bathroom (to keep nighttime disturbances to a minimum) it's not try that a single switch automaticall means you can't have a timer.

I have an extractor in my downstairs w/c that is connected to the light switch. When the light is switched off, the extractor goes for another 2 mins.

Original poster

wuntootreefore · 30/07/2022 19:22

I'm not saying that if you have one switch, the extractor needs to go off the minute the light goes off. We used to have one switch in the old house, and the extractor would keep going for 10 mins after the light goes off. But that requires there to be a second power source feeding the extractor after the light turns off. In our current house, the builder is saying that second power source doesn't currently exist and would need to be put in. He's found where it would come from (an adjoining bedroom). He's quoted £500+ for the job. We've decided against for now.

OP posts:

ThatsGoingToHurt · 30/07/2022 19:33

I’ve got two switches. One of light and one for fan. Fan switch stays on all the time and only starts when the light is turned on.

Snowshower · 30/07/2022 21:57

RainBow725 · 30/07/2022 13:10

Could you have two switches - one for the light and one for the fan? This is what I have so the fan isn't going in the middle of the night which drives me bonkers!

This is what I would suggest, we had one switch which was for the light and extractor fan together and I hated that the fan came on in the night. We recently had an electrician in doing other work in the house and asked if he could sort it. We now have two switches in place of the one and can choose to turn on one, the other or both. It seemed to be a very simple job.

Original poster

wuntootreefore · 30/07/2022 22:17

I mustn't be explaining very well. It's an old house with strange wiring. There wasn't previously an extractor at all. We had one put in, but the builder is saying there is currently only one power source, so the light and the extractor are connected to the same source. When the light is turned off, the power to the extractor is also disconnected. He cannot add a second power source easily, without doing damage to the ceiling of an adjoining bedroom, as well as the ceiling and one wall of the bathroom.

So the options are:

do this work, for £500+ plus disruption.
don't do this work (for now), but the extractor will only stay on if the light is on. We could either accept the extractor isn't working as best as it can, and leave the window open, or leave the light on for an extra 10 mins every day.

We have settled on 2). My original question was whether it's a big problem if the extractor doesn't keep whirring 10 mins after a shower. I think some posters are saying it's fine.

OP posts:

CharlotteOH · 30/07/2022 22:28

Cervinia · 30/07/2022 18:27

This! When I had my bathroom refit about eight years ago the plumber removed the pull switch inside and put a double switch outside, one for the lights and one the fan. When you switch the fan off it runs for about 15 mins then goes off.

mums just had exactly the same done to hers last week.

Show quote history

We have this. Problem is DH never turns off the fan switch so sometimes it runs for hours 🤦‍♀️

OP I would LOVE a fan that goes off at same time as light! But if you want a timer, get an electrician around, your builder shouldn’t be doing bathroom electrics and doesn’t sound like he knows what he’s talking about.

Snowshower · 31/07/2022 18:16

OK, I think I see what you mean now. In that case I don't think it would be a problem as for years our extractor went off when the light went off. We usually kept the bathroom window open a bit.

Also if you feel it is still steamy you could leave the light on an extra 5 / 10mins as long as you remember to go back and turn it off.

Sooverthisnow · 31/07/2022 18:20

Just make sure you have low wattage LEDs and you won’t run much power with the lights being left on with the fan for an extra 5-10 mins till the humidity clears.

rwalker · 31/07/2022 18:26

Timer are a pain you only need the fan to run extra after shower or whiffy shit. Just leave the light on longer till the air cleared .
Big bonus no timer if you use bathroom in middle of night .

LemonSunchines · 31/07/2022 18:56

I've only got one power line like you OP but I have two cords. One shorter one for the fan & a longer one for the lights. I can't bear the noisy fan running for ages. And it means people can nip in for a night time pee without the fan waking everyone up.

SheWoreYellow · 31/07/2022 18:58

We never use our fan, just the window. It’s fine.

Original poster

wuntootreefore · 31/07/2022 19:44

I feel better now! £500 minimum really felt too much to fix the fan timer issue, and I couldn't face the disruption...

OP posts:

AmazonGroupie · 01/08/2022 08:40

Interesting comments, as one of the guys who has quoted for a new bathroom has said that a fan attached to the light is absolutely no good as ideally the fan needs to run for a couple of hours after a shower, that people don’t realise this, and that opening a window won’t cut it as it’s often more humid outside than it is in?!

PigletJohn · 01/08/2022 09:52

your builder's story sounds unconvincing. more likely he is trying to push you towards whatever is easiest for him.

I agree with @Ilovefishcakes201

Is there no access to the ceiling from the loft above?