Bathroom-Exhaust-Fan...
Your Moisture Remover
The bathroom-exhaust-fan is essential for
providing ventilation to remove odors and potentially damaging
moisture. When you operate your exhaust fan, it removes odors and
moisture from your bathroom.
They typically vent through the ceiling
and attic (or through the wall) to the outdoors. As you can imagine the
warm water from Showering, bathing, and other activities produce a lot
of moisture, and moisture can cause a lot of damage to your home. There
are many unfortunate side effects this moisture can cause such as
peeling paint and wallpaper, damaged drywall, warping doors, and mold
growth, none of which you want in your bathroom.
Proper bathroom ventilation achieved by the
bathroom-exhaust-fan is also important in ensuring the health of your
family.
There are many different types of exhaust fans
available, from the simplest fans, to more elaborate ones with built in
lights, heaters and timer switches. Some models are designed to be
mounted on the ceiling, while others are mounted to the walls. If
you're upgrading from a simple exhaust fan to a more elaborate one you
may need to upgrade your wiring from a 2-wire set up to a 3-wire set up
or if you are adding a fan to a bathroom that never had an exhaust fan
then you will have to add 3-wire cable from the unit to the switch to
accommodate a double switch at the electrical box. This will allow you
to operate the light and fan independently of each other.
Handyman Safety Tips:
As just mentioned, the type exhaust fan you choose will determine the
type of wire you will need. Simply ask yourself this question: "are the
light and fan independent to each other"? If you are replacing a broken
fan/light combo then the installation is easy since the wiring is
already in place.
If you want the fan to turn-on when you turn-on
the light then a 2 wire switch is sufficient... Even though wiring the
switch is the last step in the project follow the steps below when
working with electricity to ensure your safety:
In the photo there is a 2-wire cable coming in
from the bottom and supplies the current to the switch. The "hot"
(black wire) is connected to the input side of the switch, the neutral
(white) wire is secured to the neutral white going to the unit with
wire nuts. The bare copper (ground) wires are wire secured together
with wire nuts. The 3-wire NM cable that goes to the unit has two "hot"
wires (usually, one black/one red) that are attached to the switch...
one to the light and one to the fan.
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Check with you city's local permit authority
to see if a permit is required.
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Turn off the power at the circuit breaker.
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Using a circuit tester, ensure the the power
is off.
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Mark or lock the circuit breaker box to make
sure know one accidentally turns on the power.
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Don't overload the circuit, have a licensed
electrician add a new circuit if needed.
-
Wear safety gear to protect eyes and a dusk
mask.
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Have your work check by the inspector if
required.
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Screwdrivers (phillips & straight)
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Jig Saw or rotary (drywall saw) tool
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Drill/driver with drill bits
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Electrical circuit tester
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Marking Pencil
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Wire strippers w/ cutter
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Hammer (you just never know)
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Tape measure
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New bathroom-exhaust-fan unit
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Soffit Vent
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Flexible dryer vent duct
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Wire nuts
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Electrical cable (2 wire or 3 wire w/ground NM
type)
Directions
For Installing A Bathroom-Exhaust-Fan
Step 1 - As I stated previously, make sure you
shut off the power to the circuit prior to starting any work. Secure
the breaker box by locking it shut. If the box has no lock... tape it
shut. Apply a note to the outside warning anyone from turning on the
circuit while you are working.
Step 2 - Move to the attic and remove any
insulation from around the area of the ceiling where you plan to mount
your new bathroom-exhaust-fan. If your putting in a new fan unit where
a light exists, disconnect the wires from the fixture so it can be
removed. If you replacing an old unit, disconnect the wiring and remove
the old unit.
Step 3 - Check the position of the new fan. If
possible put the unit where you can fasten it directly to the ceiling
joists. Depending upon where the existing light fixture is positioned,
you may have to add braces between the joist to provide a secure
attachment point for the fan unit.
Step 4 - Place the Fan housing on the ceiling
between the joists where it is to be mounted and mark the perimeter of
the cut. Mark the corners by drilling holes with a drill. Cut the
drywall away with a rotary drywall saw,hand held drywall saw or Jig saw.
Step 5 - Now that you've defined the location
and cut out the drywall, secure the fan into position.
Step 6 - Now we're ready for the cable
installation. Run the wire from the Bathroom-exhaust-fan to the light
switch. By now you know which wire to run... if you've purchased a high
speed low drag unit with a timer or heater, you may need to run extra
cable. Consult the manufacturers directions and plan ahead.
Step 6 - Now you're ready to connect the wires
to the bathroom-exhaust-fan using wire nuts. Simply follow the wiring
instructions supplied by the manufacturer. Once you have the
connections secured push the wires into the wiring box and secure the
cover.
Step 7 - Refer to the manufacturers instructions
about whether or not the insulation can come in contact with the
bathroom-exhaust-fan house unit. Some units can generate allot of heat
and require that the insulation be a certain distance from the unit...
so READ THE INSTRUCTIONS.
Step 8 - Connect the duct hose to the fan
housing and route it to the soffit or roof vent.
Step 9 - Install the unit cover from inside the
bathroom and wire the cable to the wall switch. Again refer to the
manufacturer's directions for a correct installation.
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