You may have a good idea of how life in the bathroom was like before bathroom fans: smelly, moldy, damp and wet that nobody would take a bath in, much less do anything in. The air in bathrooms get very stale and moist - especially with showers, bathtubs and sinks - and harbor harmful bacteria, mold, fungi, and viruses that can pose serious health hazards. Chemical cleaners and sprays are not enough; to really ensure the cleanliness of your bathroom, you need a bathroom fan.
Bathroom fans used to be inconvenient and noisy. Today, modern bathroom fans are quieter, more convenient, and more energy-efficient than their traditional counterparts. The modern bathroom fan can now circulate more air for a lower wattage, which means more savings in electric bills.
The rule of thumb when it comes to bathroom fans is that a noisy fan is a poor quality fan. Too much friction wastes energy, and results in poor air circulation and more power wasted. Besides, taking a bath with a noisy fan is an annoying and irritating experience.
The exhaust capacity of fans is measured through cubic feet per minute (cfm). For normal-sized fans, the recommended exhaust capacity is 50 cfm. A good quality bathroom fan operates at 20 watts and has a maximum sound rating of 0.5 sones. If you plan to buy a bathroom fan, you need to look for one with the maximum exhaust capacity and the lowest sound ratings possible.
Also consider where you’re placing the fan. Bathroom exhaust fans must be placed near the source of moisture, like showers and bathtubs. They can also be placed near the source of foul odors, particularly the toilet. When installing the fan, make sure that the fan does not leak air around its housing: leaks can be sealed with any good-quality commercially available silicon sealant. Like any other fan, bigger bathrooms require bigger fans.
So unless you want to bathe in moldy places, or would like to do your business in a place that smells like yesterday’s burrito, choosing a good-quality bathroom fan is a sound investment for a clean, odor-free home.