Extracting moisture from the air is key to getting rid of a smelly, damp, mouldy bathroom. Exhaust fans are used in bathrooms, toilets, kitchens and laundries. Bathroom and laundries are the number one areas that present with moisture problems, due to the high humidity when a steamy shower is taken or a dryer is running. Moisture can create mould, mildew, and sometimes even structural rot. The key to resolving these issues is to install a well functioning exhaust system. With the right system installed it will extract the moisture from the air 12-15 times per hour allowing fresh, dry and clean air to fill the room.
There are hundreds of designs of exhaust/extraction fans on the market, however there are only really 4 types of fans you would use in your home. Ducted, Non-Ducted, Inline and 3-in-1 combo (light, heat, fan) are the four types of fans we would normally recommend in a standard residential home. A ducted system will have a flexible duct connected to the exhaust fan and vented to the outside. Non-Ducted systems drag the moisture out of the room and disperse it into a large ceiling space where air is constantly flowing. An Inline system is where the motor and fan are located between the grill in the bathroom and the grill on the outside, attached together with either foil or pvc ducting – this system is used when ceiling space in minimal.
Combo exhaust systems are a huge hit in most homes as they have a heating feature in-built as well as a light – and the of course an extraction fan. The heating feature not only keeps you warm on those cold winter mornings and nights it also helps prevent that damp smell some bathrooms get by accelerating the drying process. This style of fan also comes with a few choices, you can get 2 or 4 heat lamps, have it ducted or non ducted, and choose between many different visual variations. The only thing to keep in mind when looking at installing a combination exhaust fan is that they do usually require around 200-300mm of ceiling space.
