Review of the Best Extractor Fans: Curried Ideas to Keep Your Home Cool and Fresh!
If you live in a humid environment, you are probably familiar with the unpleasant smell of lingering curry. The humid weather of summer makes your home a breeding ground for bacteria and other microorganisms that thrive in moist environments. The extractor fan is designed to exhaust stale indoor air and bring in fresh air from outside. However, it is not as simple as it sounds. There are different types of extractor fans available in the market today – ceiling mounted, wall-mounted, stand-alone hooded versions, non-ducted ones and ducted ones. We understand that choosing an extractor fan can be overwhelming. That’s why we have done the research for you! In this article, you will learn about some of the top extractor fans available on the market with detailed reviews and pros and cons for each one of them. Let’s get started:
What is an Extractor Fan?
An extractor fan is a piece of equipment used to remove stale air from your living space and replace it with fresh air. The fan has a motor inside which creates suction. This suction is used to pull the stale air from your room and push it through a long pipe connected to the wall. The pipe has a diffuser at the end to break up the air flow and spread it. The diffor breaks the stream of air into a wide stream of droplets that travels further and fills the room faster. If a diffuser is not provided, the air coming out of the pipe will travel in a narrow stream and may bounce back. Extractor fans come in ceiling- or wall-mounted or as stand-alone units. A wall-mounted or stand-alone extractor fan has a long pipe that runs out of the room. An extractor fan with a duct connected to it is a ceiling mounted one.
Top 3 Extractor Fans
Vent-Axia Lo-Carbon Quadra SVHTP Extractor Fan With Humidistat, Pullcord, Timer
The Lo-Carbon Quadra HTP is a continuous running fan suitable for surface or flush mounting and operates through Humidity/Timer/Pullcord controls. Low speed selectable between 6, 9 and 12l/s and high between 15, 30 and 60l/s. The front cover design also provides no area for dirt to build up so it stays looking better for longer. The SELV model has been designed to meet building requirements where there is a need to fit in Zone 1. The front cover design also provides no area for dirt to build up so it stays looking better for longer.
Vent-Axia Pure Air Sense Silent Bathroom Extractor Fan
Bluetooth controlled extractor fan offering total user control and flexibility with adjustable humidity light timer and odour sensors. Can be operated either via the Vent-Axia Connect App or by the easy to use illuminated touch panel. Supplied with detachable and optional front cover.
Vent-Axia Lo-Car.Selv Htp Response Fan Boxed Assy
The Vent-Axia Lo-Carbon SELV Humidistat, Timer & Pullcord Response Fan is perfect for kitchen, utility room and bathroom/toilet applications. The continuous running HTP model incorporates an adjustable (40% – 90%) ambient response humidistat. It has a constant volume dMEV unit with switched live (LS) and innovative digital display.
Ducted Extractor Fans
A ducted extractor fan is an extractor fan that has a duct attached to it. A ducted fan pulls air in through the front of the fan, passes it through an air filter and then through the duct to exit the building. This type of fan is best suited for mounting on the ceiling, thanks to the duct that is usually fixed to the back of the fan. A ducted fan may have a built-in thermostat that automatically kicks in when the temperature in your room is too high. Ducted fans may be wall-mounted or ceiling-mounted. A wall-mounted ducted fan draws air in through the front of the unit, passes it through an air filter and then pushes the air out through a long duct attached to the back of the fan.
Non-Ducted Extractor Fans
A non-ducted extractor fan is an extractor fan that does not have a duct connected to it. The fan draws air in through the front of the unit and pushes it out through the back of the unit. A non-ducted fan is best suited for mounting on the wall. Unlike a ducted fan, a non-ducted extractor fan does not have an air filter. As air is drawn in through the front of the fan, dust, grime and allergens get pulled in too. While the non-ducted fan does not have a built-in thermostat, it can be paired with a wall-mounted thermostat to automatically turn on when the room temperature is too high.
Bathroom Extractor Fan
Even if you live in a relatively dry climate, there are other factors that can make your bathroom a humid, unpleasant place to be. Hot showers, warm temperatures, and the constant use of the bathroom can result in the room being 5°C to 10°C warmer than the rest of your home. Bathrooms are usually small rooms with few ventilation options, and no natural breeze from open windows to cool them down. In these conditions, the risk of mould and mildew is high, and the room can start to smell stale. A bath extractor fan can help to resolve these issues and make your bathroom healthier and more pleasant. Even if your bathroom is not humid, you might need to instal a fan to remove odours. For example, if you have a litter box in the bathroom, you might need to install an exhaust fan to get rid of the smell.
Wall-Mounted Extractor Fans
A wall-mounted extractor fan is an extractor fan that is mounted on the wall. As the name suggests, a wall-mounted fan pulls air in through the front of the unit and pushes it out through the back of the unit. A wall-mounted extractor fan is best suited for mounting on the wall. Just like a non-ducted fan, a wall-mounted extractor fan does not have an air filter. This means that the dust, grime, and allergens get pulled in through the front of the fan. While there is no built-in thermostat on a wall-mounted extractor fan, it can be paired with a wall-mounted thermostat to automatically turn on when the room temperature is too high.
Stand Alone Extractor Fan
A stand alone extractor fan is an extractor fan with no duct or pipe. As air is drawn in through the front of the fan, dust, grime, and allergens get pulled in too. A stand alone extractor fan is best suited for mounting on the wall. Just like a non-ducted fan, a stand alone extractor fan does not have an air filter. As the fan draws in the air, it pushes it out too. While there is no built-in thermostat on a stand alone extractor fan, it can be paired with a wall-mounted thermostat to automatically turn on when the room temperature is too high.
Conclusion
An extractor fan is a must have during the summer months. It helps in removing the stale air from your home and replacing it with fresh air. There are different types of extractor fans available in the market today – ceiling mounted, wall-mounted, stand-alone hooded versions, non-ducted ones and ducted ones. The best extractor fan for your home will depend on your requirements and the space available in your home.
Important: in case you are not sure how to install an extractor fan, call your local electrician
Luke is the founder of Buildiro.com and he is passionate about construction and building. His mission is to show people how to make things done fast and easy.
