Blanking off bathroom extractor fan switch

Fogle1980

Hi, we want to remove a bathroom extractor fan and plaster over and put a blanking panel on the isolator switch in the bathroom. 

The switch must be connected to the lights as when it worked the fan used to come on when we switched the light on. Can we safely put on a blanking plate and put a cap on the wires. I’m just concerned that by doing so we’re going to affect the bathroom light operation. Thanks 

grumbler

Fogle1980 said:

The switch must be connected to the lights as when it worked the fan used to come on when we switched the light on. Can we safely put on a blanking plate and put a cap on the wires. I’m just concerned that by doing so we’re going to affect the bathroom light operation. Thanks 

Most likely, the isolator switch isolates both the fan and the lights - you can easily check this by switching the switch on/off. The lights alone don't need isolating, so the switch can be replaced with a terminal block under the blanking plate.

That said, it's a really bad idea to remove an extractor fan from a bathroom. For new buildings it's requirement to have a fan.

tacpot12

You shouldn't be attempting to do electrical work if you don't understand how the fan and lights are currently wired. Please get an electrician in to do this for you. 

Please also consider the advice given by grumbler not to remove the extractor fan. You will have mould in no time, and this will devalue your home because the mould can be very difficult to remove as it gets ingrained into grout and silicone sealant and buyer's won't want the mould even if you do. 

All bathrooms need a humidity-controlled extractor fan in my opinion. If the reson for removing the fan is that a cold draught comes in, you only need to install a flap vent on the outside wall. 

 

Emmia

grumbler said:

Fogle1980 said:

The switch must be connected to the lights as when it worked the fan used to come on when we switched the light on. Can we safely put on a blanking plate and put a cap on the wires. I’m just concerned that by doing so we’re going to affect the bathroom light operation. Thanks 

That said, it's a really bad idea to remove an extractor fan from a bathroom. For new buildings it's requirement to have a fan.

^^^
This.


Why do you wish to remove the fan? If it's noisy replace it with a quieter one, if it's letting in cold air then something on the outside will help, or a fan that doesn't have a grille at the front like this one will help (the one linked to is quiet, effective and has a humidstat)

https://www.screwfix.com/p/vent-axia-477436b-100mm-4-axial-bathroom-extractor-fan-with-humidistat-timer-white-240v/922gy

jusferbrowsing

We had the original (noisy) bathroom fan replaced with the above and if you strain you can just about hear it, its so quiet. After three years its still silent when running so I can 100% recommend what @Emmia suggests.

You may however have other reasons than noise to want to remove the fan and block the space.

FreeBear

tacpot12 said: All bathrooms need a humidity-controlled extractor fan in my opinion. If the reason for removing the fan is that a cold draught comes in, you only need to install a flap vent on the outside wall. 

Occasionally, the vent is located where prevailing winds get funneled in to a narrow space, so a flappy grill may not be totally successful. In which case, relocating the fan and vent in say the loft space (if available) may be a better option.

I would concur with the general opinion of retaining the extractor fan. The fitting of one has been a Building Regulation requirement in new builds for several years. And if you undertake any refurbishment works that trigger Building Control involvement, an extractor could well be mandated.