Does a 1st floor bathroom with a window need an exhaust fan

[steppinthrax]

Pluming code doesn't require it in my area. Just finishing up re-modeling a bathroom. It's a small bathroom (maybe 6 x 5). It has a window, toilet and sink. One could simply open the window, but I'm always used to having an exhaust fan. I'm kind of thinking it's unnecessary since there is a window and there is no shower.

However, I like using the exhaust fan to mask noises as well. Is putting a fan in overkill?

 

[Crusty]

I would take a fan over a 100 degree 'breeze' during the summer.

 

[JManInPhoenix]

A working fan in a bathroom is never a bad thing.

 

[NutBucket]

Fart fan FTW!

 

[KeithP]

There will probably be times when you don't want the window open, I would put it in.

That being said I have yet to see a bathroom exhaust fan that actually works reasonably well. What is the deal with that? Is it just a noise issue?

-KeithP

 

[Mixolydian]

I can't imagine a bathroom of any kind without a fan.

 

[Markbnj]

Fan's are for moisture removal, not smell abatement . Often a "half bath" downstairs will not have a fan because it doesn't have a tub or shower. You can put one in, but it is sometimes not easy. Most fans are installed through the ceiling and exhaust either into the space above, or through a vent hose to the roof. In a downstairs bath you usually have to put one in an outside wall, meaning you end up with an exhaust fixture on the side of the house. I wouldn't do it, personally.

As for the efficiency of fans: the ones contractors put in are usually way too small and cheap to be effective. They might be as little as 75 CFM. Both my upstairs baths have these contractor specials, but I have some good 150 CFM Nutone squirrel-cage fans that I am going to replace them with. Move a lot more air and make a lot less noise.

 

[mmntech]

Depending on which way the joists run, it shouldn't be too difficult a job. Drill a hole to the outside, run some steel vent pipe, and hook up the fan.

 

[steppinthrax]

Depending on which way the joists run, it shouldn't be too difficult a job. Drill a hole to the outside, run some steel vent pipe, and hook up the fan.

The Joist Run parallel to where the vent pipe will go. The distance between where the fan would be and the rim joist is about an arm's length. I would just use a flexible fiberglass agar bit to drill a pilot hole from the inside out. Then I would use a hole saw to cut a hole from the outside in. I would then just run a vent pipe through and put a vent cap with a damper.

 

[steppinthrax]

Fan's are for moisture removal, not smell abatement . Often a "half bath" downstairs will not have a fan because it doesn't have a tub or shower. You can put one in, but it is sometimes not easy. Most fans are installed through the ceiling and exhaust either into the space above, or through a vent hose to the roof. In a downstairs bath you usually have to put one in an outside wall, meaning you end up with an exhaust fixture on the side of the house. I wouldn't do it, personally.

As for the efficiency of fans: the ones contractors put in are usually way too small and cheap to be effective. They might be as little as 75 CFM. Both my upstairs baths have these contractor specials, but I have some good 150 CFM Nutone squirrel-cage fans that I am going to replace them with. Move a lot more air and make a lot less noise.

Yeah, this was my decision not to do it. I realized later that after putting a vent fan in other bathrooms, it made no diff with the smell, but made a huge difference with the moister from a shower....

 

[Kadarin]

Fans are there to provide cover noise for the lower intestinal symphony that's about to commence.

 

[Leyawiin]

A working fan in a bathroom is never a bad thing.

Exactly. Sometimes a window can't be opened (severe weather, proximity to people outside, etc...). Plus the white noise is always helpful when doing your business. I have a small bathroom on an outside wall and even if it didn't have a shower I would still want a fan in there. Crack a window and turn on the fan and steam or bad smells disappear quickly.

 

[Red Squirrel]

Better to put one and not use it, than to need it and not have it.

If you have a spot to put an inline fan, put one in and run a vent to the bathroom. They're super quiet and more powerful.

Though a traditional fan will be quicker to install, just a straight vent going outside. Avoid going through the roof, lot of tutorials tell you to do this but the issue is that frost can build up on the inside of the pipe and cause water issues. You also want the pipe to run under all the insulation as much as possible, obviously the pipe itself needs to be airtight and insulated too.

 

[Imp]

Look up the "stack effect".

I hate exhaust fans. So effing loud. I just leave the washroom door open.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Pluming code doesn't require it in my area. Just finishing up re-modeling a bathroom. It's a small bathroom (maybe 6 x 5). It has a window, toilet and sink. One could simply open the window, but I'm always used to having an exhaust fan. I'm kind of thinking it's unnecessary since there is a window and there is no shower.

However, I like using the exhaust fan to mask noises as well. Is putting a fan in overkill?

If it has a window it doesn't need an exhaust fan.

 

[Tiamat]

Pluming code doesn't require it in my area. Just finishing up re-modeling a bathroom. It's a small bathroom (maybe 6 x 5). It has a window, toilet and sink. One could simply open the window, but I'm always used to having an exhaust fan. I'm kind of thinking it's unnecessary since there is a window and there is no shower.

However, I like using the exhaust fan to mask noises as well. Is putting a fan in overkill?

Fans in all bathrooms is the way to go, especially the ultra quiet broan ones.

 

[Fanatical Meat]

No tub or shower then no need for a fan. However fans in bathrooms are never a bad idea.

 

[CKAESV]

Fans in all bathrooms is a good way to go. And if you live in a colder climate make sure you install a draft stopper that will halt all airflow in the wrong direction on the exhaust pipe. Too often they only block part of the draft.

 

[NoTine42]

Look up the "stack effect".

I hate exhaust fans. So effing loud. I just leave the washroom door open.

Putting a bath fan on a timer instead of an on/off switch was one of my best ideas. On the way out of the bathroom, I just cranked the dial for 20 mins.

 

[sportage]

Fans are there to provide cover noise for the lower intestinal symphony that's about to commence.

We can still hear u. No more Taco Bell 4 u.

 

[highland145]

Yes.

 

[alkemyst]

Fans are there to provide cover noise for the lower intestinal symphony that's about to commence.

Get a proper house.

 

[highland145]

Get a proper house.

Or an exhaust fan.

'sup Alk?

 

[Red Squirrel]

Putting a bath fan on a timer instead of an on/off switch was one of my best ideas. On the way out of the bathroom, I just cranked the dial for 20 mins.

Yeah that's how mine is setup, it goes 10 20 30 60 so I just crank it to 60. I like my showers very hot so it gets pretty steamy in there and I want to get the worse of it out.

Just found pics of my setup:


The fan is the white thing, the ABS pipe is the actual air pipe. I used ABS for that run as I was not sure how moist it would get in there and I wanted a cleanout, easiest way. (in that pic it's not complete, that fan actually exhausts outside unlike how it is in that pic)


Vent in bathroom, there is also a 1 way damper that shuts off when there's no air flow


Switch


Had this setup for a few years and so far so good, and it's very quiet, all you hear is the air getting sucked through the vent. It's a fairly long run but it's not beyond the fan's rating.

 

[pontifex]

don't just exhaust into the attic or you'll get mold.