Bathroom Exhaust Fans

[thatguy]

Please educate me on bathroom exhaust fans..

Our current light/ fans work OK, but the wife-unit does not like the way they look (very plain) and wants to replace them with a fancier unit (light and fan)..

Are the mounting boxes universal?

do you just drop out the fan and light units separately and install the new units?

thanks

Brian

 

[Craig Clayton]

The size of exhaust fan/ light does not have a standard size that I am aware of. The exhaust hose is either 3 / 4 ". When you buy a new unit the sound it makes is in SONES. Buy one that has the best or quietest rating. A cheap noisey fan will make you hate it every time it turns on. If you look at THIS OLD HOUSE never exhaust it into your attic. Read what they say about proper exhausting. I know of horror stories about attic exhausting. Also get a fan/ light rated for insulation covering.
Craig Clayton

 

[Kays Supply]

I was involved in installing exhaust fans for a swimming pool dressing room. There were several showers and toilets. We used a remote mounted inline fan and ran duct hose to grills at each shower and each toilet. It moved the humidity and smells very well. It was almost completely quiet in the room. You can locate the fan away to a place the noise won't mater.

 

[thatguy]

thanks for the tips, but let me rephrase my question a little..

IF i buy a new fan/light combo will it fit in the current box/mounting system that is already has the vent in place? I am not sure if the new light come with the mounting box or that is has to be purchased separately

OR do i have to try and remove the current box/mounting system and install a new one to match the new fan/light combo?

brian

 

[kennyd]

thanks for the tips, but let me rephrase my question a little..

IF i buy a new fan/light combo will it fit in the current box/mounting system that is already has the vent in place? I am not sure if the new light come with the mounting box or that is has to be purchased separately

OR do i have to try and remove the current box/mounting system and install a new one to match the new fan/light combo?

brian

Most likely you will have to replace everything, the new fan light combo will include the box. There is no "standard".

 

[Willl]

Some of the cheaper fan only models you could pop out just the guts and slip a new one in.

Pull the grill off yours and see if yours does.

The fan/light combo we have now doesn't, can't even remove fan motor to clean without removing box.