Is it Really Necessary to Use the Bath Fan in the Winter?
Many people believe that it is essential to run their bath fan every time they shower in the winter. There are many reasons why they think it's true, but is it really true? Does ones really need to run the bath fan in the winter? Well, let’s find out
Reasons Why People Run The Bathroom Fan
When taking a shower, the bathroom becomes humid. Because of this humidity, the water condenses on the walls and the washroom mirror, resulting in mold growth on different surfaces. Moldy bathrooms are not something most people wish for, which is why they turn on their exhaust fans when showering.
Exhaust fans remove the moisture from your bathroom each time you shower. This means that the water will not condense on your walls and mirror while you shower. Similarly, most people also switch on their bathroom fan to throw the odor out. Bathrooms can be smelly, and one solution for that includes switching on the fan to exhaust the entire odor out. Bath fans are an excellent option to remove unwanted smells if you are not a fan of air fresheners and scented candles.
Ventilation can be a major concern for people. Your home must properly ventilate your bathroom to ensure there is plenty of healthy air inside. Bathroom fans can contribute to the ventilation of your home. If your house’s structure permits ventilation, then it would be best to keep your fan on during winters. You do not have to run the exhaust fan all day. Instead, you can leave it on for a while and then switch it off. Consider switching on the exhaust fan to keep the air fresh as soon as you notice musty air.
Do You Really Need To Run The Bath Fan In Winter?
Let's debunk the reasons why people run the bath fan in winter. Humidity is the biggest concern of people. Though it does cause the water to condense on walls but is it that bad? In winter, the air is usually dry. The air inside your home can be dryer than usual, and that causes different problems. For instance, your skin might get dry, you might have trouble breathing or have irritation in your eyes.
These problems are very common during the winter, which is why people invest money in a humidifier. However, if you decide not to switch on the bath fan, you might give your home the moisture it needs. Not running the bath fan might play well in your favor and even save you money, so you don't have to invest in a humidifier. Using energy to first exhaust the humid air out of your home and then using power to increase the humidity levels in your home can be a massive waste of electricity.
How To Use Your Exhaust Fan In Winter?
If you plan to use your exhaust fan in winter, you must use it the right way. Your exhaust fan should run for as long as you take your shower and should continue to run on for 15 minutes after it. This will help you remove all the moisture from your bathroom so that your walls and mirrors don't catch mold.
Many people switch off their exhaust fans as soon as they finish their shower. This does not exhaust all the humid air and can still result in molds. As mentioned abundantly, it would be best to remove all the humid air before switching off your exhaust fan.
Maintaining your exhaust fan is very important if you want it to last for a long time. Regular maintenance and cleaning of your exhaust fan can keep it running for years to come. If you talk to an experienced Electrician Vancouver, they will suggest cleaning your exhaust fan once every six months. This will keep your exhaust running in the best condition possible. Over time, your exhaust fan can gather a lot of grime and dust. If dust covers the edge of the fan blades, it might not work correctly.
Furthermore, if you want your fan to ventilate the air properly, you must open the shower door or close the curtains. This will allow the air to ventilate throughout the room. Mold can be very sneaky and might grow on your curtains. Consider leaving them flat when you ventilate, making sure they dry properly. To improve ventilation, you can also open your windows. If there is a window in your bathroom, leave it open when you switch on the bathroom fan. This ventilates your bathroom more effectively and does not take too much time.
What To Do If Your Exhaust Fan Stops Working?
Your exhaust fan might stop working entirely if not maintained. If you cannot figure out why your fan is not working, contact an experienced electrician in Vancouver. They will check the fan for problems and decide whether you need to replace it or not.
Bathroom fan replacement is widespread, and an expert electrician will be able to help you easily. Ensure that you contact the right person for the job, so you don't face any problems later. It is also essential to invest in a high-quality exhaust fan for your bath. Since it is something you will use day in and day out, you must not compromise on the quality.
That said, even the fans of the highest quality fans also might not last you a very long time unless you take good care of them. If you can't maintain the fan on your own, you can take help from an electrician in Vancouver and pay them to do it for you. This is a better option rather than letting your exhaust fan burn itself out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should You Leave Your Bathroom Fan On All The Time?
Most experts suggest that you must not leave your fan on for long periods. You will only waste energy if you leave your fan on for a long time. Instead, it would be better if you used it only during and after your shower. That way, you will not waste a lot of energy and even exhaust out all the humidity. Most importantly, it is wise not to leave your bathroom fan on for the entire night.
What Happens If You Don't Use Your Bathroom Fan?
If you do not use your bathroom fan at all, the walls and mirrors might catch mold. The mold can also catch on to your shower curtains, ruining the fabric. If you have a wooden house, you might ruin it entirely if you are not careful with the moisture. As mentioned before, the moisture will seep into your walls and wreck the wood. This is why it is a good idea to sparingly but regularly use your bathroom fan.
Which Bathroom Fan Should You Go For?
There are different types of bathroom fans. Some mount on the wall while some mount on the ceiling. It is best to use a fan that provides adequate ventilation. You can go for the ones that come with motion sensors so that whenever you start your shower, the fan will automatically switch on. It will also switch off on its own as soon as you step out of it.
Does Only Hot Water Cause Humidity?
This is a very common misconception that only warm water causes humidity. Any temperature of water produces water vapors, and that contributes to humidity. If you don't run your exhaust fan thinking that you are not using warm water and don't need it, you are mistaken. Regardless of the water temperature you use to shower, remember to use the fan and exhaust out all the humidity before it damages your walls and mirrors.
Should I Choose A Bathroom Fan According To The Size Of My Bathroom?
When choosing a bathroom fan, you must consider the size of your bathroom. If your bathroom is too small, you might not need a regular-sized fan. A smallel fan will be sufficient for the ventilation. If you go for a fan that is too small, it might not effectively remove the humidity, and you might have to leave it on for longer.
To judge the size of the fan, you can use the CFM rule. 1.1 CFM is enough for one square foot of your bathroom. If you have tall ceilings, you must also include them in the calculation.
In Conclusion
Running the exhaust fan in winter while you shower is not a bad idea, but you need to be careful and only use the fan when need be. Wasting energy to run your fan when it's not needed will only increase your electricity bills. Save yourself the trouble and be wise when you use your exhaust fan.