Re-wire and building regs

Moldy

Hi guys,

Having a full re-wire of our new house. Couple of questions about electricians and some things I've been told...

1. What qualifications/accreditations/insurance should I be looking for in an electrician?

2. One guy has told me that bathrooms must have extractor fans in them now because "it's building regs". Is that true? Will an inspector come round and check. I really don't like fans, they make loads of noise and use too much electricity!

Thanks!

cattie

Up to date fans make hardly any noise & contrary to belief use very little electricity. It's only items that generate heat that are heavy on electricity. An extractor fan in the bathroom will cut down on condensation & stop you getting mould growth.

When I had refurbishment work carried out on my house last year the building inspector came out & did a tour to inspect the work.

Canucklehead

Moldy wrote: »

Hi guys,

Having a full re-wire of our new house. Couple of questions about electricians and some things I've been told...

1. What qualifications/accreditations/insurance should I be looking for in an electrician?

2. One guy has told me that bathrooms must have extractor fans in them now because "it's building regs". Is that true? Will an inspector come round and check. I really don't like fans, they make loads of noise and use too much electricity!

Thanks!

Good afternoon: Use a qualified electrician eg. a NICEIC registered domestic contractor (try to get a personal recommendation for a source you trust if possible). See Building Regulations Part F for ventilation requirements.

HTH

Canucklehead

27col

Whist I agree that extractor fans can make a little noise. That are certainly not heavy on electricity. Just check a fan few wattages on Google. In any event the fan would only be operating whilst the bathroom is in use and for a few minutes afterwards. I would not be without mine. My bathroom has no window, but in spite of that, we have never once, had any condensation in the bathroom. I would not be without a fan, even if the bathroom did have a window. I

baldelectrician

Bathroom extractor fans are around the 20w mark.

I don't insist on a fan in a rewire (no requirement here unless there are other works happening involving the bathroom and a building warrant)

I wire fans in to a seperate switch when I can- this allows people to go to the loo in the night and not wake up the spouse

I also use inline loft fans- a lot quiter and better looking. There is only a vent in the bathroom and the motor is in the loft.