Bathroom Extractor Fan - Worth Having?

nordberg

We've just had a new bathroom fitted. Part of the original plan was an extractor in the ceiling vented through the loft. In all the mayhem of fitting/moving in etc etc, the extractor was forgotten. A few weeks down the line, after remembering it I'm now questioning whether it's even worth bothering with.. I've never been convinced they do a great deal. Our bathroom is pretty large at approx 3M x 3M. We have two windows in there which, in summer at least, we have open all the time. Also, we have a lovely new plastered ceiling with recessed downlighters. Seems a shame to spoil it with an ugle extractor and they always seem to gunk up quickly.....

What's the concensus?

googler

If this is construction of a new bathroom where one didn't exist before, don't you need building res approval, planning consent, etc, and wouldn't the extractor be required in this case?

macman

I took it as a refit of an existing bathroom, but the OP should confirm.
I wouldn't consider having a new bathroom without an extractor fitted with a humidistat. All that condensation has to go somewhere, and how likely are you to open the windows in the winter? Your new ceiling and downlighters will last longer with lower humidity levels.
Cleaning the fan fascia maybe twice a year is not a difficult job.

keystone

I suspect the OP means a refurbisment of an existing bathroom in which case there is no BC involvement but in any event an extractor IS required under Part F of the Building Regs when a new bathroom is fitted. OP's contractor should NOT have "forgotten" it and he should be brought back to fit one or arrange for one to be fitted.

You only need BC involvement of you have a change of use eg a small room previously used as a bedroom which is then refitted as a bathroom.

There is no need for Planning consent in either case unless it involves an extension to the property not falling within permitted development rules.

Cheers

QTPie

If you are ducting through the roof space to the outside, then the extractor fan SHOULD (or could?) be very discreet: you just have a faceplate on the ceiling - the fan itself is in the roof space. It shouldn't gunk up and should be very quiet.

Personally I would have the fan - unless you intend to have a window open all yar round.

Whose fault was it that the fan didn't go in? Did the builders just forget? Was this house done by you or a developer?

Speak to someone and find out how easily it can be put in (i.e. without damaging the current ceiling? It might be as simple as cutting the right sized whole in the ceiling (then going into the loft and fitting the rest - will need some access to the roof too).

keystone

QTPie wrote: »

If you are ducting through the roof space to the outside, then the extractor fan SHOULD (or could?) be very discreet: you just have a faceplate on the ceiling - the fan itself is in the roof space. It shouldn't gunk up and should be very quiet.

The simple solution is ceiling mounted, trunked over and the exhaust vent mounted in the soffit.

Personally I would have the fan - unless you intend to have a window open all yar round.

It is a requirement to have the fan - unfortunately it isn't a matter of choice. That is unless you don't give a fig about Building Regs.

It might be as simple as cutting the right sized whole in the ceiling (then going into the loft and fitting the rest - will need some access to the roof too).

Typically its a 4" hole easily put in with a hole saw and minimum damage.

Cheers

QTPie

There you go - someone who knows what they are talking about....

I agree that you need to talk to the fitter/developer about it... We are having our newly purchased house gutted and refurbed at the moment (including 2 bathrooms). We are having roof space mounted fans. We are lucky, our builders are very hot on building regs.

QT

nordberg

Thanks for all the replies.

In answer to the repeated question, it was a combination of me forgetting and the sparky. In fairness, we had a manic time and a two week period to get the bathroom installed (sounds simple...it wasn't), central heating fitted and full rewire. The fact that the extractor was neglected does not concern me as I know just how many things were going on and how thinly people were stretched. There's no problem with it being fitted now either. I've spoken with the sparky and he's happy to fit it whenever is convenient with us.... I guess I was just questioning whether or not to bother. The consensus seems to be a resounding YES!

So, my next question is can anyone point me in the direction of a good reliable, quiet, neat in appearance extractor capable of dealing with a bathroom approx 3M x 3M? No doubt my sparky will have a preferred brand, but I like to "gen up" on things as much as possible so I know what I'm paying for.....

THanks!

keystone

I would rely on your spark's advice for your particular circumstances and your stated requirements. A ceiling mounted fan may be fine but a coaxial one that sits in the duct is more efficient and permits a more aesthetic result in the bathrom itself. If its a long duct run from bathroom to vent then a coaxial one is certainly recommended. In any event as has been previously stated it should as a minimum have a run on timer and a humidistat.

Cheers

Cheers

NicolaL_2

Get a dehumidifier fitted. We have a Toshiba and it keeps the whole upstairs dry.

nordberg

NicolaL wrote: »

Get a dehumidifier fitted. We have a Toshiba and it keeps the whole upstairs dry.

How do you "fit" a dehumidifier?