Wall mounted Dehumidifier OR extractor fan???

ukamber1

Hi All,

Would appreciate any advice on this.....I have alot of build up of condensation as only have small windows in the bathroom and looking to either install a wall mounted dehumidifier or an extractor fan.

Please Could anyone advise which is likely to be the better option?

The dehumidifier is more expensive to purchase but can be installed on an inside wall which in my case makes installation easier and cheaper to do. The extractor fan needs a outer wall to remove the damp/condensation so even tho a fan is cheaper to buy its going to be more expensive to install as no direct access to electrical points. So over all cost to install either option will end up the same...So I guess it just comes down to which is going to be more effective for a small bathroom.

Thank you again for any help

Jonesya

Extractor fan - not only does it remove humidity, it also removes smells which is handy!

phill99

You need to get the moisture out of the house so a fan is a far better option. Get one that is 'in line' as they have more powerful motors. Have it with and over run timer so it carries on extracting even when you have finished your shower.

ukamber1

phill99 wrote: »

You need to get the moisture out of the house so a fan is a far better option. Get one that is 'in line' as they have more powerful motors. Have it with and over run timer so it carries on extracting even when you have finished your shower.

phill99,

Can in line fans be installed/mounted as a wall unit? My bathroom is on ground level so can only use a wall mounted extractor fan...

The other thing I forgot to ask is, does the thickness of the wall make a difference to what extractor fan I can use...I'm in a really old house and the wall its going on is single skin so no big cavity wall...

thanks again for the replies

phill99

ukamber1 wrote: »

phill99,

Can in line fans be installed/mounted as a wall unit? My bathroom is on ground level so can only use a wall mounted extractor fan...

The other thing I forgot to ask is, does the thickness of the wall make a difference to what extractor fan I can use...I'm in a really old house and the wall its going on is single skin so no big cavity wall...

thanks again for the replies

No. They can't.


But get a centrifugal fan. these are more powerful than a standard rotary motor fan so will extract more of the moisture. You will pay £100 or so for the fan, but far better than a cheap £20 fan. The single skin wall will be fine to put it in.

Mojisola

phill99 wrote: »

You need to get the moisture out of the house so a fan is a far better option. Get one that is 'in line' as they have more powerful motors. Have it with and over run timer so it carries on extracting even when you have finished your shower.

Ours comes on whenever the humidity goes over the set level - the ones we've used in holiday cottages never seem to run for long enough to clear the steam.

It's also really annoying if they are connected to the light and come on when someone uses the toilet in the night.

Fire_Fox

Sufficient opening of window trumps size. If the single skin wall is poorly insulated/ cold you don't necessarily need high humidity for condensation to settle. Is improving wall insulation an option?

Making a hole and adding a fan means losing even more heat. A single room heat recovery unit is another type of product. More expensive, may or may not be worthwhile depending on your heating situation.

Read through current Building Reg, part F Ventilation (on Planning Portal website).

ukamber1

Fire_Fox wrote: »

Sufficient opening of window trumps size. If the single skin wall is poorly insulated/ cold you don't necessarily need high humidity for condensation to settle. Is improving wall insulation an option?

Making a hole and adding a fan means losing even more heat. A single room heat recovery unit is another type of product. More expensive, may or may not be worthwhile depending on your heating situation.

Read through current Building Reg, part F Ventilation (on Planning Portal website).

Hi Fire Fox,

Thanks for your reply...much appreciated! The difficulty is that I live in a 1760 built property and as with all 200-300 year old houses, they lack insulation and alot of heat is lost. I get alot of condensation on the walls, even after a short time of the shower being on. As I only have a small window in the bathroom, it gets very little air flow but do have a very large radiator which gives off alot of heat.....taking all that into account I wasnt sure if a extractor fan or dehumidifier was the best option....

thanks again