Introduction

Ventilation is key to maintaining health and comfort in a home or commercial building. Whether it is your kitchen, bath, or work area, ventilation reduces the buildup of excess heat, humidity, smoke, and unpleasant odors. An exhaust fan is a solution for this. It silently pulls stale air out of the area, allowing fresh air to take its place, and improves the breathable air in that space.

However, while purchasing exhaust fans, many people make mistakes that impact the sustainable effectiveness and durability of their exhaust fan. Not only did the improper exhaust fan choice fail to improve air quality, but also drove up energy bills and maintenance costs.

To help you make sure that you make the best purchase, this thoroughly compiled guide will analyze the 5 most common mistakes that people make when purchasing an exhaust fan and how to avoid those mistakes.

If you are going to spend the money on a good exhaust fan, then reading this blog from beginning to end will save you money, increase your comfort, and assure years of reliable service.

1. Ignoring Size and Airflow Rate

One of the biggest mistakes buyers make is purchasing an exhaust fan that is not the proper size. Many homeowners are unaware that they should be calculating the exhaust fan size to fit the room.

Why Size is Important:

• A small fan for a large kitchen or bathroom won't be able to remove enough air, so smoke, moisture, or odors will remain behind.
• A large fan will produce more air movement than required, increase noise, and might consume excess power.

What is CFM (cubic feet per minute):

CFM is the measurement of airflow capacity which tells how much air the fan can relocate in one minute. For example:

• Bathroom (50-100 CFM): Will extract moisture after showers preventing mold.
• Kitchen (150-250 CFM): Will deal with smoke, grease, and heat while cooking.
• Commercial areas (250+ CFM): To be in a kitchen, large hall, workshop, or restaurant.

Solution:

• Before buying an exhaust fan, calculate the room size (length × width × height) and look at the elephant CFM rating of the fan
• Always select a higher CFM fan for kitchens to deal with the heavy smoke and oil particles.
• For bathrooms select a medium CFM fan with moisture control settings.

This particular situation will save your power which in turn will save your fan and prolong last its life.

2. Not Checking Noise Levels

Another very common mistake when purchasing a fan is not checking the noise level. Many buyers consider only cost or possibly brand name without consideration for how noisy a fan can be; and some fans - especially in bathrooms or bedrooms - can become annoying.

Why Noise Is Important:

• A noise that constantly buzzes or hums has the potential for discomfort if you are trying to relax.
• In an office or workplace setting, noise can disrupt concentration.
• Silence is golden when it comes to an exhaust fan.

Noise Ratings

Fan noise can be measured in sones or decibels (dB) as follows:

• 1.0 - 1.5 sones: ultra-quiet, near silent
• 2.0 - 3.0 sones: moderate sound - okay if you are in a kitchen.
• 4.0+ sones: loud and usually annoying.

Remedies:

• Always make sure you check the noise rating before even considering a purchase.
• Don't be afraid to look for product that have silent motor technology. 
• When it comes to bathrooms and especially bedrooms, choose a fan with as low a sound rating as possible.

3. Ignoring Energy Efficiency

Many consumers fall for inexpensive exhaust fans without considering energy efficiency. The net effect of cheap exhaust fans? Higher electricity bills and premature breakdowns.

Why Does Efficiency Matter?

• An inefficient fan will run longer to move air and will consume more energy.
• An inefficient fan will cause higher monthly bills.
• An inefficient fan wastes polling energy.

How Do You Choose Energy Efficient Fans?

• Look for stars or eco-friendly products.
• Choose fans with brushless DC motors because they are more efficient.
• Look for fans that have more robust blades and motor windings to ensure they last longer.

Solution:

• Do not just consider price but price with energy savings.
• Choose exhaust fan models that are designed to run at low power with no loss in performance.

A good energy efficient fan will save you more money in the long term than a cheaper energy and power hungry fan.

4. Incorrect Position and Installation

Even the best fan will not work to its potential if it is in the wrong location. You can install the best exhaust fan in the world, and if it is incorrectly positioned or installed, it will not perform as required.

Common Mistakes in Installation

• Installing exhaust fans too close to doors or windows, this will only draw air from outside and diminish suction power.
• Mounting the exhaust fan too high or too low will also diminish airflow.
• Poor sealing around the fan itself that allows air back swimming away from the nozzle.

Best Placement

• Bathroom: Position the fan nearest the shower area to allow quicker dissipating of steam and moisture.
• Kitchen: The ideal placement in the kitchen will be directly over the stove/cooking area so that the exhaust fan can remove smoke or grease.
• Commercial Spaces: The exhaust fan should be positioned on opposite corners of any air inlets to create the most airflow but not negate any seats or spots which do not require the ventilation. 

Resolution:

• You should always have an electric or technician to install any electrical appliances.
• Sealant around your electric appliances would help lessen any 'air coming back' from those caulking areas to ensure proper performance.
• Keep the fan at a safe height and distance from doors/windows to maintain suction performance.

Appropriate placement of your fan will not only facilitate better airflow, but will improve the life expectancy of your fan unit itself.

5. Overlooking Additional Features

Most of us look at the price and basic functions of an exhaust fan and don't pay attention to modern features that make exhaust fans easier and more effective to use.

Some Features to Consider:

• Automatic shutters: To block dust, insects, and rain from entering.
• Humidity sensors: Turns on automatically when moisture rises.
• Oil resistant blades: To resist grease build up - especially if venting a kitchen.
• Removable grills: Helps with cleaning and getting at the motor for maintenance.
• Dual function fans: Known as an exhaust fan some can also double as a fresh air supply fan.

Solution:

• Check out all kinds of different models and see which features work for you
• If you are looking for a fan for your kitchen go with oil resistant blades.
• If you are looking for a bathroom fan choose fans with humidity sensors and quiet zone motors.

In conclusion, when you invest in features for you exhaust fan, you are saving time, effort, and maintenance costs.

Maintenance Tips For Longevity

Purchasing the most suited exhaust (ducted fan) is only half the battle, proper care and maintenance is the other half to ensure durability and getting the best performance.

• Clean blades and grills regularly to prevent dust and grease build up.
• Lubricate motor once every few months to ensure it operates smoothly.
• Regularly check for wiring connections to avoid electrical issues.
• Make sure you replace filters or parts when their time is up.
• Don’t overload the fan by running it for hours upon hours for no reason.

If you follow these few simple steps your fan will continue to perform as if it was brand new for years.

Conclusion

While it may seem an uncomplicated buying decision, failure to consider important variables when purchasing an exhaust fan can lead to poor performance, unwanted noise, and wasted money. By avoiding the five mistakes—wrong size, noise level, energy efficiency, improper installation, and disregarding extra features—you can make a more informed choice.

An appropriate exhaust fan ensures:

• A fresh and clean indoor environment
• Protection against mold and moisture
• Energy savings
• Comfort and convenience

If you are in the market for modern, durable, energy efficient exhaust fans, we suggest checking out the broad selection at MR Homes. Our innovative designs and reliable performance will work perfectly in homes, offices, and commercial environments.