Looking back, if 2020 taught us anything, it’s: Don’t take your health for granted. The importance of bathroom ventilation is no exception, as bathrooms are an integral part of our homes. They are likely the wettest part of our homes. Moisture causes wood to expand, metal to rust, and paint to peel. If that’s not enough, mold, mildew and bacteria are also common culprits when moisture is present. Staph & strep (staphylococcus & streptococcus) are much less prolific in dryer climates. Luckily, there is a solution that reduces these risks and involves ventilation. We are here to outline the importance of bathroom ventilation, and cover some of the challenges when upgrading an existing bathroom.
Choosing the right bathroom fan is an integral part of any bathroom design. If you don’t have a window in your bathroom, there is a good chance your local city code will require a bathroom fan. These fans are designed to remove moist air and vent it outside. Spaces built before the turn of the millennium likely have smaller vents with old motors. For example, a 700SQFT 1BR apartment built in 1970 will likely have a 2” bathroom vent and a 50 CFM fan. When renovating an older bathroom, it is highly recommended to duct a larger vent to accommodate a larger fan. The same apartment built after 1999 will likely have closer to 90 CFM with 4” vents. In fact, if the apartment was built more recently, it is possible that it will have a dual-purpose general ventilation bathroom fan, that also runs on low speed when the bathroom is not occupied (as per CA Title 24). Ortech Industries’ ODD-100S would be our recommendation selection in this case. This DC motor fan comes with 3 pre-set speeds as well as a low-speed continuous low-speed rate. There are also a few additional accessories that increase the fans ease-of-use and efficacy.
Bathroom fans can be quite straightforward however there are many bells and whistles that one can add to increase the efficacy and convenience. Motion sensors, humidity sensors, timers, or speed controllers are just some of the options that are possible. Additional lights, upgraded grilles, and wall sensors are also possible considerations. Not all fans work with all accessories so check with your local supplier for help with selection or refer to the user manual. The ODD-100S mentioned above is available with optional humidity control, timer, motion sensor, and/or LED lighting.
How much ventilation is needed? This is a common question that many contractors, designers, and engineers deal with. There are a few methods to determine the amount of air needed. First, you need to determine the size of your bathroom. Next; what’s in your bathroom? The Home Ventilation Institute (HVI) recommends the following for intermittent ventilation:
| Bathroom size | Calculation formula | Ventilation rate required |
|---|---|---|
| Less than 100 SQFT | 1 CFM per SQFT of floor area | A minimum of 50 CFM |
| More than 100 SQFT | Add the CFM requirement per fixture | Toilet 50 CFM Shower 50 CFM Bathtub 50 CFM Jetted tub 100 CFM |
Who can help you sort this out? Most handy DIYers can handle a simple bathroom fan upgrade. If the renovation is for an older bathroom it is highly recommended to reach out to anHVAC professional to help with the ducting. If working with electricity is beyond your comfort, reaching out to a professional Electrician would be the way to go. And if your current bathroom doesn’t have a fan you will more than likely need the help of one or more licensed professionals. The installation is rather painless, depending on existing site conditions. And a like-for-like-swap-out for an existing bathroom fan is as simple as: remove the blower from the new fan, and the old fan and swap them. Regardless of the challenge ahead of you, if you have any questions or concerns: reach out to us, @ORTECHINDUSTRIES, for help!
Who can help you sort this out? Most handy DIYers can handle a simple bathroom fan upgrade. If the renovation is for an older bathroom it is highly recommended to reach out to anHVAC professional to help with the ducting. If working with electricity is beyond your comfort, reaching out to a professional Electrician would be the way to go. And if your current bathroom doesn’t have a fan you will more than likely need the help of one or more licensed professionals. The installation is rather painless, depending on existing site conditions. And a like-for-like-swap-out for an existing bathroom fan is as simple as: remove the blower from the new fan, and the old fan and swap them. Make sure to maintain your bathroom fan’s longevity by regularly removing & cleaning the grille and running a vacuum through the housing. Regardless of the challenge ahead of you, if you have any questions or concerns: reach out to us, @ORTECHINDUSTRIES, for help!
Farshad Marzara, is a former Licensed Engineer with a focus on the Mechanical Construction Industry. Having worked on LEED certified buildings in the Greater Vancouver Regional District, he left the design industry, to aid sub-contractors with Project Management. While still engaged in sub-contracting in a reduced capacity, Farshad also works as a Product Development & Sales Engineering Manager for Ortech Industries – a division of Crown Distributors. His hobbies include Home Cooking, Climbing, Snowboarding, and Exploring Nature.
