Bathroom fans are essential for keeping your space well-ventilated and free of moisture. But what size do you need? Follow our guide to find out.
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Introduction
The size of the bathroom fan you need is determined by the square footage of your bathroom. To find the square footage, multiply the length times the width of your bathroom. Once you know the square footage, use the following table as a general guideline to determine which size fan you need for your bathroom.
– up to 100 sq. ft.: 1 CFM per square foot
– 100 to 200 sq. ft.: 2 CFM per square foot
– over 200 sq. ft.: 3 CFM per square foot
For example, if your bathroom is 10 feet long and 10 feet wide (100 sq. ft.), you would need a 100 CFM fan. If your bathroom is 12 feet long and 12 feet wide (144 sq. ft.), you would need a 288 CFM fan.
How to calculate the size of your bathroom fan
There are a few things you need to take into account when you’re trying to figure out what size bathroom fan you need. The first is the square footage of your bathroom. The second is the height of your ceiling. The last thing you need to consider is the type of fan you want. Once you have those three things, you can start to narrow down your choices.
Measure the square footage of your bathroom
The size of your bathroom fan should be based on the square footage of your bathroom. To calculate the square footage of your bathroom, simply multiply the length times the width of your bathroom. For example, if your bathroom is 8 feet long and 6 feet wide, the square footage of your bathroom is 48. Therefore, you would need a 48 CFM (cubic feet per minute) fan for your 8×6 bathroom.
Another way to determine the size of your bathroom fan is to use the following table:
-Bathroom Size: up to 50 sq. ft.
-Fan Size ( CFM): 50-80
-Bathroom Size: up to 100 sq. ft.
-Fan Size ( CFM): 80-100
Multiply the square footage by the ceiling height
You will need to purchase a bathroom fan that can move at least 1 CFM (cubic feet per minute) per square foot of room. To calculate the CFM needed for your bathroom, simply multiply the room’s square footage by the ceiling height. Keep in mind that you should also factor in any additional rooms that connect to your bathroom, such as closets or hallways.
For example, if your bathroom is 50 square feet with an 8-foot ceiling, you will need a 400 CFM fan. If your bathroom has additional adjoining rooms, you will need to add those square footage totals to your calculation.
What else to consider when choosing a bathroom fan
There are a few things you need to take into account when you’re trying to figure out what size bathroom fan you need. The first is the size of your bathroom. The second is the amount of moisture and humidity in your bathroom. The third is the noise level you’re comfortable with. Lastly, you need to decide what type of installation you’re looking for.
The noise level of the fan
In addition to selecting a fan with the proper CFM for your bathroom, you’ll also want to consider the noise level of the fan. You may not think about it when you’re standing in front of the display at the store, but once it’s installed, a noisy fan can be very annoying – especially if it’s located next to your bedroom.
There are two ways to measure the noise level of a bathroom fan: sones and decibels (dBA). Sones measure how noticeable the sound is and decibels measure the actual level of noise. For reference, normal conversation is about 60 dBA.
Most bathroom fans have a sones rating of 1.0 or less. A few models on the market have ratings as low as 0.3 sones, but they tend to be more expensive. If you’re concerned about noise, look for a fan with a lower sones rating.
The energy efficiency of the fan
When considering what size bathroom fan you need, make sure to look for an ENERGY STAR certified model. These models are required to meet strict efficiency standards and will help you save money on your energy bill. Additionally, some models are eligible for local utility rebates.
Conclusion
Now that you know the 3 things to consider when choosing a bathroom fan, you can confidently select the perfect model for your home. Be sure to keep the required CFM in mind, as this will be the biggest factor in ensuring the fan can do its job properly. From there, decide whether you need additional features like lights or heaters, and then choose a product that fits within your budget.
