Extractor fan - can I get rid?

frostyspice

In my new house there is an extractor fan in the bathroom which drives me mad. It comes on every time you put the light on and doesn't go off for what seems like ages after you've switched off the light. There are 2 windows in there (one small, one larger) which can be opened if necessary so I can't see the point of the fan. It drives me mad to think of all the electricity I have to pay for to run the fan when one of the kids goes in there just for a pee! I also don't like the humming noise it makes when I'm reading in the bath!

How can I disconnect the fan from the lighting circuit? And I assume building regs don't require a fan in a room with a window?

mountainchrisriver

Why not just adjust the time delay on the fan to only come on when you switch the lights on... most allow you to do this when you take the front off...

I know that this doesn't actually solve the problem but may be a worthwhile interim measure!?

michaels

To meet building regs there should be an isolator switch for the fan outside the bathroom somewhere

baldelectrician

I always install fans where required (new builds, alterations), but I now wire them to facilitate having each item on a seperate switch, and the customer can decide to switch the fan OR the light (or both).

Depending on the wiring (and if it is a switch outside the room) you may be able to get an electricain to change the single switch to a double one . Thus giving 1 switch for fan and another for the light.

becs

I'd definately agree with baldelectrician. We've just had ours done in the same way. I hate the noise of them too and will probably only use ours when we have the shower going, can't see it's necessary for the bath. We do have a large window aswell which I do keep open on a trickle vent anyway.

BallandChain

Where we used to live we had the same problem as OP, the extractor fan came on as soon as you put the light on and the noise was annoying. It seemed to go on for ages after the light was switched off. This was already in the property prior to moving in and we ended up turning the fan off as there was a separate switch high up on the wall.

It didn't do the bathroom much good as we suffered with a lot of condensation and mould.

moonrakerz

michaels wrote: »

To meet building regs there should be an isolator switch for the fan outside the bathroom somewhere

Depends when it was installed - and by who !

G-G_4

We disconnected ours years ago for the same reason, annoying thing! haha

ariba10

I wonder how many posters will be asking for a cure for condensation in a few months time.

frostyspice

andrew-b wrote: »

Have you tried removing the cover from the fan? There's usually a means of adjusting the length of time the fan stays on for after the lights have been turned off. Check and see if there is any means of attaching a pull cord to turn it on/off (we lived in a flat with extractor in bathroom which had had the cord removed). The fan will probably be full up with fluff so give it a good clean out (isolate the power first) and that may reduce the noise level slightly.

Andy

Yes I removed the cover yesterday and gave it a good clean. There was a black knob thingy which looked as if it was supposed to turn (it had + and - signs next to it) but I couldn't get it to turn either way. The knob was hollow and kind of depressed in the unit - I tried to wedge some pliers in it to turn it but couldn't get any purchase.

ukjoel

I think the indentation may be designed for a coin.
I agree with comments above - leave the extractor in there. It doesntuse a lot of electricity and the humidity and condensation build up could welll prove more costly in the long term with mould/mildew etc.
Even wear an tear on the double glazed windows from opening and closing them 3 or 4 times a day could be more costly.
J