Why mechanical extraction in the bathroom?

Ventilation in the bathroom is very important to prevent mold or musty odors, for example. To make ventilation in bathrooms possible, you can use mechanical fans. Which bathroom fan you can use best depends on the size of the bathroom, your wishes and situation. In this article you can read everything about bathroom fans.

 

Why extraction for bathroom

In addition to natural ventilation (a window that can be opened) in the bathroom, it is also wise to choose to use mechanical ventilation. Ventilation of humid spaces is important for various reasons, which are described below:

1. Mold formation
The bathroom is by definition a humid space, this of course has to do with the regular use of hot water. If the moisture is not sufficiently drained, it can accumulate in seams and cracks, on walls, ceilings and other places in the bathroom. These are situations where mold can develop. Mold is very harmful to health and must be prevented at all times.

2. Improved air quality
Mechanical ventilation in the home not only ensures that moisture in the bathroom and kitchen* is removed, it also ensures that odours from the toilet can be removed. This ultimately ensures cleaner air and healthier air quality in the home.

* Speaking of the kitchen: many people think that an extractor hood is only intended to remove odours, but cooking also releases a huge amount of moisture and you really don't want that in your home.

3. Lifespan of the bathroom
When the bathroom is exposed to moisture for a long time due to poor ventilation, damage can occur to paint, woodwork and other (building) materials. To prevent this moisture from penetrating into materials, ventilation is necessary. Ventilation contributes to the lifespan of your bathroom.

 

Mechanical extraction bathroom

Bathroom fans are available in different diameters, depending on the size of the bathroom, situation and wishes. The most common diameters are described below:

• Tube diameter: 80 mm (3 inch)
  Fans that fit into an 80 mm pipe diameter are compact. These are mainly used in small bathrooms and toilets. They have a lower airflow capacity and are suitable for rooms where not much moisture is produced.

• Tube diameter: 100 mm (4 inch)
  Fans in combination with 100 mm tube diameters are most often used. These fans are suitable for standard sized bathrooms. These fans are compact, have sufficient airflow capacity and are suitable for most domestic applications.

• Tube diameter: 125 mm (5 inch)
  This tube diameter with corresponding fans is mainly used in large bathrooms. Or for situations where more moisture is produced, such as when using a bubble bath or steam shower. These fans with tubes have a higher air flow capacity.

 

Additional features:
You can use bathroom fans with a switch or that switch on automatically. In addition, you have bathroom fans that have an integrated humidity sensor and a run-on timer.

 

Calculate the amount of extraction in the bathroom

If you want the extraction to work properly, it is necessary to refresh the air content 10 times per hour. With a formula you can calculate how much capacity you need for your bathroom.

The formula is: Length x width x height of the bathroom (in meters) x 10.

The unit you calculate with this is 'm3/h'.
Below is shown how much capacity per diameter is used as a guideline: