Most kitchens and bathrooms have exhaust fans to help clear the air of unwanted odors. Fans are used in kitchens as a way of dispersing smoke and food odors, while bathroom fans vent moist air out to prevent mold and mildew from growing. Consider several factors to select the fan that is right for you.
- Decide if you want your exhaust fan to run on a timer or on a switch. Switch-based fans turn on and off like a light, using a switch on the wall (sometimes the light swatch and the fan switch are one and the same), while timer-based fans are set to run a certain length of time a certain number of periods each day. The former is more convenient and can be used at specific moments (such as when cooking or using the toilet), while the latter provides a more thorough and regular recirculation of the air.
Measure the volume of your kitchen or bathroom. You can to this with a tape measure: Multiply the room’s width times its length times its height (in feet). - Determine the amount of cubic feet per minute (CFM), which is the airflow required to exchange the air in the room eight times per hour, which is the recommended efficiency of any exhaust fan. You can determine the CFM by dividing the room’s volume by 7.5.
- Check the CFM on any exhaust fans you select: It should be listed on the box. You want a fan whose CFM is equal to or larger than the CFM of the room you intend to use it in.
- Compare the sound level of various exhaust fans. You usually want to select the quietest fan possible. Fan noise is measured in sones, usually ranked from 0.5 to 4.0 and listed on the box. The lower the sone, the quieter the fan, so look for fans ranked at 1.0 sone or below, if possible.
- Select a fan which can be installed with screws rather than nails. Nails have a tendency to vibrate and can come loose after time. Screws will hold the fan more securely for a longer length of time.
- Choose a fan that matches the aesthetics and décor of the room where you intend to install it. This is purely a matter of taste and the amount of money you wish to spend. Exhaust fans come in all manner of styles and features, and you can always find one to match the specifics of your room.
