Are you planning a bathroom remodel? Have you been researching ways to reduce the potential dampness that builds up in this space? Does the space have less ventilation than you’d like? One of the best ways to overcome all of these issues is by investing in a bathroom exhaust fan.
The emergency electrician Melbourne locals use for all their electrical emergencies can also install the necessary fan in your bathroom. This will go a long way toward maintaining a healthy and enjoyable space. However, if you’re not sure if an extractor fan falls into the must-have or nice-to-have category, then we urge you to keep reading.
How Does an Exhaust Fan Work?
Many homeowners often get confused between an exhaust fan and a ventilation fan. It’s essential to install the correct one in your bathroom to reap the necessary benefits. A ventilation fan, on the other hand, brings clean, cool air into the space, usually from an external source such as an air conditioning unit. A properly installed exhaust fan will remove excess moisture, odours, humidity, and water vapour from the bathroom.
More than a Modern Luxury
Your bathroom is the space that most likely accumulates the most moisture. Since the average bathroom usually only has one small window, there isn’t enough ventilation to remove this moisture from the space. Our experts have compiled a list of the top reasons to invest in an exhaust fan.
1. Eliminates Excess Humidity
One of the requirements of the perfect bathroom is that the water can get considerably hot so that you and your family can enjoy steaming showers and bubble baths. While these luxuries are amazing mood lifters, they do generate large volumes of steam which quickly turns into condensation on windows, walls, and mirrors.
This steam build-up adds to the humidity in the room and eventually funnels into the rest of your living areas. Typically, humidity levels that regularly exceed 60% can cause damage to furnishings and even encourage rot in your timber structures. High humidity can also affect anyone with respiratory illnesses.
2. Prevents Growth of Mould and Mildew
Excessive moisture also creates a breeding ground for mould and mildew spores. These spores are easily identifiable as little black dots that appear on your mirrors, walls, and ceiling. Mould also has an unpleasant odour and can trigger severe respiratory problems and allergies.
Installing an exhaust fan will suck the moisture out of the air, reducing the risk of bacteria on your surfaces turning to mould. Since mould spores can spread throughout your home, having a drier bathroom will help to create a healthier home.
3. Improves Air Quality
It’s no secret that your bathroom is also the space that accumulates the most odours. In addition to sewage, products such as deodorants, hair sprays, cleaning products, and air fresheners also create lingering odours.
This not only makes it unpleasant to breathe but also migrates to the rest of the home, affecting the overall air quality. An exhaust fan will not only help to remove those odours and pollutants but will contribute toward improving indoor air quality.
4. Increase the Longevity of Bathroom Fixtures
Another aspect that few homeowners give much thought to is the effect that excessive humidity and steam will have on their bathroom fixtures. However, items such as showerheads, taps, towel racks, and mirrors can easily become degraded over time. This will eventually lead to tarnishing and even rusting.
Since exhaust fans reduce humidity in your bathroom space, there’s very little chance of moisture lingering on your fixtures, which can improve their lifespan. Not having to routinely buy replacements can save you money in the long run.
5. Energy-Efficient
Most homeowners are very sceptical about adding new appliances to their homes, especially if they don’t know how much energy these items will use. Fortunately, modern exhaust fans are designed to be energy-efficient.
Not only do they use minimal power, but some high-level models also feature humidity sensors which automatically turn on and off as needed. Ensuring that you opt for an energy-efficient model will not only reduce your overall energy consumption but also allow you to be more eco-friendly.
6. Contributes to Structural Integrity
Over time your bathroom walls, ceilings, window frames, and doors will see a lot of exposure to steam and moisture in general. The accumulation of water in these spaces can eventually weaken the building materials. This, in turn, leads to cracking, sagging, and even mould-related damage.
Keep in mind that living in an older house will only make this worse as many of the materials have already been subject to years of wear and tear. An exhaust fan will keep the walls and ceilings drier, which will preserve the structural integrity of your home. It will also reduce the need to replace these components.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re remodelling, or simply looking for ways to reduce the overall moisture build-up in your bathroom, investing in an extractor fan is always an excellent idea. Not only is it an excellent way to combat mould and mildew, but it also makes it easier for you to regulate the humidity and improve your indoor air quality. It’s a win-win, no matter how you look at it!
