Home technology expert Ross Trethewey and host Kevin O’Connor discuss bathroom ventilation and indoor air quality. The two discuss the different types of exhaust fans and how to automate their ventilation. With a handy prop wall at hand, Ross shows Kevin how automatic switches and outlet sensors can activate exhaust fans remotely for convenience and better breathing air.
Bath Vents Are For Moisture Control, Not Odor
Many folks believe bathroom ventilation fans are for odor control, removing unpleasant smells from the room after someone uses the bathroom. But, they’re actually for removing moisture from the room and pushing it outside. This leads to better air quality while preventing moisture from condensing on surfaces and causing mold and moisture issues.
Two Types of Bathroom Ventilation Systems
There are two main types of bathroom ventilation systems. They include ceiling exhaust fans and ceiling grills with an inline fan.
The exhaust fan sits in the ceiling (often combined with a light), and it has a motor and fan inside that pulls air from the space and pushes it outside.
A ceiling grill is empty but connects to an inline fan to pull moisture from the room. The fan can be mounted virtually anywhere.
Automatic Switches Can Operate the Fan
Bathroom exhaust fans are usually on a switch, but people have to remember to turn them on and off for them to be effective. Instead, homeowners can install automatic switches. One type of switch has a humidity sensor that will power on the fan once the moisture hits the determined level. The other type of switch has a motion sensor and a temperature and humidity sensor to activate the fan automatically.
Smart Outlets Exist
Some outlets have sensors built in that can detect air quality too. These switches have built-in sensors that detect when air quality is poor and will activate the bathroom exhaust fan. They can be installed anywhere, and they’ll activate the bathroom fan to remove the pollutants in the air.
Resources
Ross shares how to improve indoor air quality using smart bath ventilation products. Ross explains that modern buildings are now being built to be airtight, and because of this, proper ventilation is important to improve indoor air quality. Smart control switches and bath fans are a cost-effective solution to poor circulation in a bathroom.
The products demonstrated by Ross are manufactured by Leviton, Soler & Palau, Fantech, and Swidget.