Your bathroom is one of the highest traffic areas in your home, hence is prone to myriad different issues, most notably the presence of moisture and humidity. These issues when not addressed in their early stages can cause long term damage, and effect the longevity of the bathroom.
Furthermore, these issues can also have adverse effects on people using the bathroom, especially those suffering from certain ailments. Indoor condensation from moisture and humidity can lead to mold and mildew growth, which can seep into the drywall and cause fungal growth.
Installing a bathroom fans is an effective and proven way to get rid of moisture and humidity in your bathroom, and remove water vapor that accumulates on your mirrors and walls.
Buying the best bathroom fan for moisture can be a bit overwhelming, given the many options available. But after researching what’s available, and comparing several options in terms of features and performance, we’ve narrowed down on 5 best bathroom fans for moisture that will help eradicate humidity as well as odors in your bathroom.
Delta BreezSignature VFB25AEH 130 CFM Exhaust Bath Fan with Humidity Sensor
Delta BreezSignature is a leading name in the residential ventilation segment, and boasts a massive portfolio of innovative products such as the VFB25AEH exhaust fan. The VFB25AEH bathroom exhaust fan is powered by a class leading brushless DC motor, which provides top notch efficiency, and long service life.
Adding to this, it offers an impressive 130 CFM air flow power, which gets rid of moisture and humidity effectively and quickly. Even though the VFB25AEH bathroom exhaust fan by Delta BreezSignature features high end components, it surprisingly operates rather quietly at just 2.0 sones, making it one of the quietest models in this segment.
It is Energy Star qualified, meaning it adheres to stringent quality and performance standards, and is embedded with a humidity sensor. With this sensor onboard, the VFB25AEH exhaust fan powers on automatically or off automatically when a certain level of humidity is reached, so you don’t have to worry about turning the device on or off manually.
You can even switch the humidity sensing mode on or off by simply toggling the wall switch. Additionally, the VFB25AEH is appointed with an LED light underneath the grille, which indicates that the device is running smoothly.
With regards to energy efficiency, the VFB25AEH exhaust fan doesn’t disappoint with its 19.1-watt power consumption, and 7.1 CFM per watt efficiency rating. The Delta BreezSignature VFB25AEH bathroom exhaust fan is backed by a three-year warranty against any manufacturer defects, so you can rest assured it will serve you well for many years to come.
Pros:
- 0 sones noise level
- 1-watt power consumption, and 7.1 CFM per watt efficiency
- Brushless DC motor
- 130 CFM
- 3-year manufacturer warranty
Cons:
- Does not come with light
Panasonic FV-0511VQC1 WhisperSense Ventilation Fan
When on the shopping trail for the best bathroom fans for moisture, you probably heard the name Panasonic crop up often, given that it is one of the largest manufacturers of electronics in the world.
The FV-0511VQC1 WhisperSense fan is a bestselling model in the company’s product portfolio, and was awarded ENERGY STAR 2018 Most Efficient fan in 2018. It complies with ASHRAE 62.2, LEED, CALGreen, California Title 24, Washington VIAQ codes, and can be installed with both 4” and 6” ducts.
It comes with a Flex-Z fast installation bracket, which makes it easy to position the fan in your desired location. The FV-0511VQC1 WhisperSense fan is designed to provide clean air, and doesn’t do much more than whisper at leas than .3 sones.
Another noteworthy feature of the FV-0511VQC1 WhisperSense fan is that it uses less energy to move large volumes of air, resulting in less chances of overheating and motor failure, and reduced repair costs.
The FV-0511VQC1 WhisperSense fan is equipped with the company’s Pick-A-Flow speed selector, which lets you adjust the air flow power according to your needs between 50 CFM, 80 CFM to 110 CFM. It features a revolutionary ECM motor, which coupled with SmartFlow technology delivers optimal CFM output.
The FV-0511VQC1 WhisperSense fan gets rid of moisture and humidity automatically, thanks to its integrated dual sensor technology, and is ideal for use in mud rooms, basements, and garages. It is backed by a six-year warranty on the motor, so it will last you several years to come with proper care.
Pros:
- Can be installed with both 4” and 6” ducts
- Adjustable air flow with Pick-A-Flow speed selector
- Integrated dual sensor technology
- ECM motor
- 6-year warranty on motor
Cons:
- Limited to 1 color option
Quirky PISO1-WH01 ISO Humidity Activated Exhaust Fan
Quirky is a recently launched company that has garnered a stellar reputation rather quickly, owing mostly to their excellent quality of products. The Quirky PISO1-WH01 fan offers 90 CFM of ventilation power, making it an ideal choice for small to medium size bathrooms up to 100 square feet.
It works on autopilot with its onsite humidity sensor, which activates the fan automatically when it senses humidity from your shower. But that’s not all, the Quirky PISO1-WH01 exhaust fan is also fitted with a motion activated nightlight, which provides you with auto illumination during your nighttime bathroom visits for up to two minutes.
The humidity sensing mode can also be turned off for manual operation with the included auto on/off wall switch. The Quirky PISO1-WH01 exhaust fan with light works silently at less than 1.5 sones, and features a 4” duct for easy installation. It is ISO certified, so it meets the necessary requirements for standardization and quality assurance.
The grill of the Quirky PISO1-WH01 exhaust fan measures 13″ x 13″ x 1.5″, the housing measures 9 3/8″ x 9 3/8″ x 8″, and complete unit at 13″ x 13″ x 13″, making it a perfect fit for most bathrooms. Apart from the motion activated nightlight, this fan is also equipped with a bright overhead light, eradicating the need to add any additional lights and switches in your bathroom.
Both the night light and bright light are protected with an appealing glass dome, which matches well with your existing bathroom décor. It accepts two types of bulbs — 7W C7 intermediate bulb for the night light, and (2) 13W (60W equivalent) GU24 base CFL bulbs for the main light.
Pros:
- 90 CFM
- Good for bathroom sizes up to 100 square feet
- Humidity and motion sensing nightlight
- Bright overhead light
- Appealing glass dome
Cons:
- Bulbs not included
Delta BreezProfessional Pro300 Bathroom Exhaust Bath Fan
Another hit from the Delta hanger, the Delta BreezProfessional Pro300 bathroom exhaust fan is powered by an industry leading DC brushless motor, which is engineered to run for an amazing 70,000 hours. It is UL/cUL listed for use over the shower or bathtub when installed with a GFCI protected branch circuit, and is also Energy Star qualified.
The Delta BreezProfessional Pro300 offers 300 CFM air flow power, making it a great choice for small to large size bathrooms. Adding to this, it is cost efficient to run at 7.3 CFM/watt, which equates to roughly $43 annually based on calculations by the U.S. average retail electricity and HVI testing labs.
This ceiling mounted bathroom ventilation fan is appointed with an indicator light, which lets you know it’s powered on, and in good working order. It operates quietly at just 2 sones, so you can operate it without disturbing other members in your household. The Delta BreezProfessional Pro300 comes with a 7.8-inch housing depth, and comes with motor lock protection.
The Delta BreezProfessional Pro300 is a great choice for recreation rooms, large working spaces, and garages, and is backed by a three-year warranty against any manufacturer defects.
The housing of the Delta BreezProfessional Pro300 is made from robust galvanized steel, and is topped with an appealing white finish. Lastly, it is easy to install and is compatible with six-inch duct sizes.
Pros:
- 300 CFM
- Ideal for spaces measuring up to 300 square feet
- Indicator light
- Energy Star qualified
- DC brushless motor delivers 70,000 hours
- Quiet operation at 2.0 sones
- 3-year warranty
Cons:
- May start up a bit slowly at times
Aero Pure ABF110 L6 W ABF110L6 Ceiling Mount Bathroom Ventilation Fan
Slotting in at the #5 position on this list of best bathroom fans for moisture is a model from Aero Pure — an esteemed name in the ventilation space. The ABF110 L6 W ABF110L6 bathroom exhaust fan delivers 110 CFM of ventilation power, making it a great choice for small to medium size spaces.
This ceiling mounted exhaust fan is Energy Star certified, JA-8 compliant for CA Title 24, and ASHRAE 62.2 compliant, and adheres to today’s stringent building codes and standards. It operates quietly at 0.9 sones, and can be had with a choice of three designer grille plates — white, satin nickel or oil rubbed bronze.
The grille of this fan measures 13” x 13” and fits 2” and 8” joists, whereas the housing measures 0 2/5” x 10 2/5” x 7 ½. Adding to this, the Aero Pure ABF110 L6 W ABF110L6 bathroom exhaust fan provides illumination with an up to 10W 3000K 800 lumens LED light, and nightlight functionality with a 0.7W nightlight (included).
The Aero Pure ABF110 L6 W ABF110L6 bathroom exhaust fan with light is easy to install, and with the included quick mount adjustable metal bracket, and 6” metal duct adapter. It is backed by a six-year warranty against any manufacturer defects.
Pros:
- 110 CFM
- Energy Star certified
- 9 sones
- Choice of 3 grille plates — white, satin nickel or oil rubbed bronze
- LED light and nightlight
- 6-year manufacturer warranty
Cons:
- Does not come with humidity sensor
Final Thoughts
Whether you use your bathroom on a regular basis or just occasionally when you’re home, it will be prone to moisture when you do take a shower. Without proper ventilation, moisture and humidity can cause damage to your fixtures and walls. By installing a bathroom fan for moisture, you not only get rid of the excess moisture and humidity, but also the odors that may be lingering in your bathroom.
Bathroom Fan for Moisture Buying Guide
Before heading out to buy the best bathroom fan for moisture, there are few important questions to answer to ensure you get the right one for your needs.
- What is the total size/area of your bathroom?
- Will the housing be installed in the attic or ceiling?
- Do you want a bathroom exhaust fan with light?
Type of bathroom fan – there are two main categories of bathroom fans to choose from — ceiling inserts — basically models that are mounted on the ceiling, and inline — extremely quiet fans because their assembly is located in the attic or crawl space. Inline fans are less common installation than ceiling mounted bathroom fans, but can be connected to more than one grille housing.
Bathroom fans for moisture or any other bathroom fans feature either a turbine fan or propeller. Aerial extractor fans aka propellers have blades that move the air in the same way as an airplane propeller. Centrifugal fans aka turbine fans are equipped with a rotating cylinder with straight blades. This type of bathroom exhaust fans is quieter, and push air out more effectively through the ductwork.
Capacity – now that you know the size of your space, you will be easily able to spot the right fan for your needs with the CFM measure labelled on the box. However, it is important to note that you should increase the ventilation volume (CFM) if you have a whirlpool bath or multi-jet shower as they produce a lot of moisture in the air.
Ductwork – there are two common types of ductwork — flexible and rigid, where the former is recommended for distances less than 16 feet, and latter is a recommended choice for longer distances.
Noise level – the noise a respective fan emits is measured in sones, and bathroom fans are assessed for noise level when they’re operating at maximum capacity. The higher the sone rating, the noisier the fan, where up to 2 sones is considered silent.
Extra features – some of the best bathroom fans for moisture also come with added perks such as light functionality to illuminate your space, without having to add an extra light. Others come with a bright light as well as a night light, and even a humidity sensor, which powers the fan on automatically after a certain period of time.
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