Removing humidity and stale air using an energy-efficient bathroom exhaust fan means your home will be more comfortable and efficient. Older fans are loud and waste energy. A new energy-efficient unit can save up to 70% on electricity, while offering quieter operation. Replacing an old fan makes sense.
You can replace just the motor and fan blades, or the entire unit. If you're just replacing the motor, find the model number on the old unit and purchase a new fan that will fit the housing.
Things to think about when purchasing a new fan are the CFMs — or cubic feet per minute of air movement — and the sones, or relative quiet of the fan. A higher CFM means more air moved, and a lower sone rating means quieter operation. Also, newer units may have cool features, such as energy-efficient LED lighting or humidity sensors.
Replacement is easy; it involves just a few simple steps:
- Turn off the power at the breaker box.
- Remove the trim panel by pulling down and squeezing the mounting springs together to release it from the housing.
- Unplug the fan motor from the internal plug and double check to make sure there is no power to the unit.
- Remove the fan motor assembly.
- Fit the replacement fan right where the old unit was removed and plug the new unit into the internal plug.
- Replace the trim and remember to turn the power back on.
- Test the airflow by placing a sheet of paper across the vent cover. It should stay in place by itself.
Replacing your old bathroom fan with a new, energy-efficient unit will go a long way toward making your home more comfortable and efficient.
