Bathroom extractor fans

Lally

I have seen one that looks very nice (icon airflow) but it is about £100 and has a noise level of 35dBA. Whereas there is one on ebay which looks OK and its only about £14 and has a noise level of 45dBA. I have no idea if that difference is a huge one or a small one, can anyone help?

YorkshireBoy

Every 3dB increase doubles the noise volume (decibels are measured on a logarithmic scale).


EDIT: If this is a new installation, Part P will apply (which means you'll need to employ a Part-P certified electrician, or notify your local authority and have the work inspected by them).

hardpressed

When I recently had my house rewired the electrician said I had to have an extractor fan fitted in the bathroom but it is vented to the loft not outside. Surely putting damp air into the loft can't be a good idea. I never use it just open the window as necessary. I also wonder if it makes the bathroom cold in the winter by letting in cold air from the loft. The bathroom is certainly colder than it used to be.

Lally

hardpressed wrote:

When I recently had my house rewired the electrician said I had to have an extractor fan fitted in the bathroom but it is vented to the loft not outside. Surely putting damp air into the loft can't be a good idea. I never use it just open the window as necessary. I also wonder if it makes the bathroom cold in the winter by letting in cold air from the loft. The bathroom is certainly colder than it used to be.

We are in a top floor flat so it is vented to the loft. A ot of outside air gets in there though, so its not so bad. We don't have a window, unfortunately.

Lally

YorkshireBoy wrote:

Every 3dB increase doubles the noise volume (decibels are measured on a logarithmic scale).


EDIT: If this is a new installation, Part P will apply (which means you'll need to employ a Part-P certified electrician, or notify your local authority and have the work inspected by them).

So the airflow one seems well worth the money.

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/ADICON15.html?utm_source=froogle

ScoobieGirl

hardpressed wrote:

When I recently had my house rewired the electrician said I had to have an extractor fan fitted in the bathroom but it is vented to the loft not outside. Surely putting damp air into the loft can't be a good idea. I never use it just open the window as necessary. I also wonder if it makes the bathroom cold in the winter by letting in cold air from the loft. The bathroom is certainly colder than it used to be.

It wasn't a good idea by the previous occupant of my friends house as they have a sealed loft! New houses should have a well vented loft in which case it's not a big problem, but to vent outside has to be a better solution although it's a lot more and messier work.

lovelldr

In the new house we are buying, the extractor is vented through the loft, outside through a vent in the roof... Seems a bit of a pain to do that, but guess at least it works!

Mikeyorks

Are you sure it's not piped to the outside, from the loft??
Mine's vented via the loft and out of the fascia. Much easier to fit than a 'through wall or window' model - and much more powerful. Also works more efficiently as the extract nozzle is at ceiling level, and doesn't allow the steam time to condense before it's removed. So, never any mould - even above the shower cubicle (where it's best to place the vent)

Basic diagram is :-

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_Index/Ventilation_Index/4_Inch_Fans_Duct/index.html

....... and the model to use is :-

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/SLTD250T.html

..... just about takes the suds off you whilst under the shower! And removes all the steam 'in flight' even on the coldest morning. The non-timer model is cheaper, but it's best to get the one that will run on for a while after you turn the light off. And - because the motor is in the loft - the noise is minimal.

hardpressed

The pipe definatly just lays in the loft, is there anything to stop the cold air from the loft coming down the pipe into the bathroom? Seems daft to insulate the ceiling then have a hole in it with a flexible pipe running through it.

Mikeyorks

hardpressed wrote:

The pipe definatly just lays in the loft, is there anything to stop the cold air from the loft coming down the pipe into the bathroom? Seems daft to insulate the ceiling then have a hole in it with a flexible pipe running through it.

No, there's nothing to stop it, unless he fitted a backdraught baffle into the pipe. But unlikely, as you only tend to do that if it's vented to the outside and onto somewhere which generally faces in the prevailing wind direction.

But, warm air rising, it's more likely some of the warm air from the bathroom is going through the vent and into the loft. Same result (colder bathroom) - but different reason.

As you're virtually there - isn't it worth continuing the pipe to the outside? Means you can use the extractor you've paid for. As you're right - using it with the moist air just going into the loft - is bad news.

Lally

Lally wrote:

So the airflow one seems well worth the money.

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/ADICON15.html?utm_source=froogle

Would any of you be able to look at this link and tell me what I should order? I am having my bathroom professionally installed but I am providing all the items myself.

I have an extractor fan at present with the pull cord, so I am not sure if I need to order another on and a new 'module?' for fitting onto the ceiling. I would like a timer too.

Cheers, and sorry for the complete lack of technical terminology here!