Installing a Bathroom Vent



Do you often feel sweaty right after you have taken a bath? If yes, your bathroom ventilation is to blame. So, how about taking some concrete steps to cure this problem. In roughly 4 hours, you can get rid of the problems associated with bathroom ventilation. The project involves replacing your old noisy bathroom fan with an efficient high capacity unit. So, here we go.

What is a Bathroom Fans and what is its Purpose?
A bathroom has to deal with constant moisture all day long. So, natural it should have a ventilation system to take care of all the moisture in the air. A bathroom vent fan does exactly this and works hard to remove odor, moisture and mold from the bathroom.

But over a period of time, it can wear off. The mirror becomes foggy or there is mold on the shower wall. Fan creates excessive noise. These are tell-tale signs that you need a new bathroom ventilation fan. New fans are much more efficient, quieter and highly effective in removing moisture.

In selecting a bathroom fan, you have to consider Cubic Feet per Minute or the CFM capacity of the bathroom. Then you have to multiply this with floor area of the bathroom and further with a constant. This constant is 1.1 for 8 ft ceiling height and 1.25 for a normal 9 ft ceiling height.

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For example, a 8X10 feet bathroom with a 9 foot ceiling will need a vent fan of 100 CFM or more. Also, give due consideration to fan noise as well. For this, check out bathroom vent fans with low sone number/rating.

Getting Ready
Before you can begin with the project, you should prep the bathroom. Clean the surface dry to avoid any slippage injuries. Here are the tools you need:
• Stepladder or stool
• work gloves
• safety glasses
• circuit tester
• Drywall Saw, Pry bar, screw driver and Wire Stripper
• New vent fan unit
• Strain relief connectors
• Electrical Tape, duct tape and Wire nuts
• Vent pipe Adaptor
• 1 inch general purpose screws
• drill and relevant driver bits
• Fan Grille

The Process - Step by Step Guide
1. Turn off the power and remove the old fan's vent grille. You can switch off the circuit breaker form the mains to avoid any accidental shock. Confirm the power off situation from the wall switch. Once you remove the grille, reconfirm the power off in the lines using a tester to the wires. Now, pull out the plug wires that connect the power with the motor.

2. Remove the Fan Unit by loosening the fasteners holding the fan/motor unit with the housing. This may require you to do some prying using a screwdriver.

3. You may need to enlarge the bathroom vent fan opening in case the new wall fan is larger. For this, hold the new fan to the hole and mark the required dimension on the wall. These cut lines now signify the new dimension required for the bathroom vent fan. Now, take a drywall saw and enlarge the opening to allow for a bigger fan. Be careful not to damage any wire housings or plumbing circuits.

4. The next step involves detaching the housing for the bathroom vent fan. Unfasten the housing from the ceiling joints using a screwdriver or a pry bar.

5. Now, a strain relief connector is to be added. You have to attach it with the housing junction box's cap. Furthermore, push the power wires through the connector.

6. The wires from the above step have to be connected to the new fan unit. Simply, join the color matched wires to each other. The green wire is for earth or neutral. Use electrical tape to safely secure the wire nut on each of the wire. Now, put the wires in individual junctions and close the cover.

7. The bathroom vent fan must now be slid into the ceiling cavity. Make sure the action is smooth and no obstruction is there in the movement of the fan.

8. Now, finally, install the new vent fan for operation. Use 1 inch general purpose screws to fasten the unit's housing. You might have to drill the housing to make holes for the screws. Close the wiring box cover. Plug the fan unit into the junction box receptacle. Now, check the wiring one last time using a tester.

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Once, you set breaker to “on” position, push the fan on and it should start working. Complete the project by attaching the grille of the bathroom vent fan.

Bonus Tips on Bathroom Vent Fan Replacement
• Create an attic using some plywood. This work platform is safer compared to a stool or stair.
• Hold the fan housing using an S-shape hook.
• Always wear protective glass to protect eyes from small particles or wires and concrete.