Toilet ventilation in the apartment: fan selection

Ventilation in the toilet and bathroom serves to remove unpleasant odors, normalize the level of humidity. In its absence, the room is not only filled with “enchanting” aromas, it creates a favorable environment for the development of harmful microorganisms, mold and fungi, which are extremely difficult to remove. In addition, the ventilation duct, the outlet of which is in the toilet, is involved in the ventilation system of the entire apartment.

Types of ventilation

In order to determine the installation of which particular ventilation system you need, you should decide on its main varieties.

The main two types of ventilation:

• Natural ventilation - operates without the use of special devices, air moves naturally from the high pressure to the lower. Fresh air enters through windows and vents, displacing contaminated air that moves through the ventilation openings in the kitchen and bathroom and exits through the shaft.
• Forced ventilation - involves the use of fans that quickly and efficiently move airflows.

In terms of the functions performed, ventilation is divided into three types:

• Exhaust ventilation. Air exchange is carried out by means of exhaust channels, it is used when it is possible to combine the mechanical and natural ventilation methods.
• Forced ventilation. It works by displacing exhaust air clean.
• Mixed ventilation. As the name implies, it involves the combination of several types of ventilation, in this case, both air is forced and forced to exhaust.

In apartment buildings, the exits to the ventilation shaft are located in the toilet or bathroom, as well as in the kitchen, since in accordance with sanitary standards, more air pollution is allowed here compared to residential premises. Air flows from living rooms to these rooms, and then out through ventilation ducts.

How to determine the quality of ventilation

Most apartment buildings are designed for natural ventilation, but for normal air exchange it may not be enough. Even with a properly organized natural ventilation system, there is no guarantee that this system will work efficiently.

Identifying a problem with ventilation efficiency is easy. Bring a strip of paper to the ventilation hole, with sufficient air circulation, it should stick to the grate.

Strong draft is rarely observed in city apartments of the old buildings, however, if the paper does not move at all during the test, everything indicates obvious problems and malfunctions with ventilation, which can be caused by blockages, improper actions of other residents and some other reasons, for which you should contact the manager company.

If the draft is present, but the air exchange is insufficient, the organization of forced ventilation in the toilet will help to improve it. Buying a small fan and connecting it will not take you much money and time, but it will significantly improve air quality.

The toilet may have its own outlet to the ventilation channel, but in some cases it is in the bathroom, and air is exchanged through the hole in the wall between the bathroom and the toilet.

Fan selection

Fans are divided into three types:

• Axial fans The most common variety. They are distinguished by the simplicity of design, the ability to remove sufficiently large volumes of air. However, when resistance occurs, the performance of the device decreases in proportion to its value.

• Duct fans. They are rarely used in apartments, since they are quite difficult to install. They are superior in performance to axial models.

• Centrifugal fans. Compared with axial, it is more expensive (2-3 times) and less productive (2-3 times), overall. However, they are able to create significant pressure, allowing air masses to overcome considerable height with minimal losses.

Choosing the right fan for the toilet

In typical city apartments, a vertical ventilation duct is usually installed, for which a centrifugal fan is the best option.

The results are worse than a duct ventilation device. Such fans are best used when combining several ventilation ducts or when there is a need to hide the device in a false ceiling structure.

Mounting an axial fan only makes sense with short horizontal ducts.

We recommend paying attention to fan models equipped with additional options (a separate power supply line will be required):

1. With check valve. Due to its design features, such a fan will not let air from the mine back into the room. Residents of apartment buildings will appreciate its advantage due to the fact that they will no longer be forced to inhale the aromas that enter through the ventilation from neighboring apartments.
2. With motion sensor. The device will turn on when a person enters the toilet, and when it exits, the fan turns off.
3. With a timer. A specific program is set to ensure continuous operation of the fan for 2-30 minutes.
4. With humidity sensor. Automatic inclusion of the device when the humidity in the room reaches a certain level.
5. With airing mode. The fan does not stop its work, but carries it out at minimum speed.

Installation of ventilation in the toilet

Workflow for forced ventilation installation will be next:

• Install the purchased fan from the outlet side of the ventilation shaft. If there is such a need, we expand the hole with a perforator. In the event that the situation develops, on the contrary, and the ventilation stroke is too large outlet, then a pipe of suitable dimensions is mounted, and the free space is filled polyurethane foam. Fastening of the fan occurs by means of self-tapping screws or an adhesive composition.

If the walls of your toilet room are tiled, it is better to fix the fan to glue so as not to spoil it.

• We supply power to a pre-installed fan. The most optimal option is to conduct a separate line at the repair stage. If the repair has already been done, there are two ways out: you can lay the wiring in the channels that are gouged on the walls, and then return them to their original appearance, or be powered by a ceiling lamp. In the implementation of the latter option, you will need to purchase a plastic cable channel, which is most accurately mounted from the lighting device to the fan. Electric wires are hidden in it.

• We connect the installed ventilation equipment using terminal blocks. Twisting is prohibited for these purposes. Wires are routed through holes specially provided on the case of the ventilation device.

Remember to follow safety precautions. All electrical work is carried out only when the power supply system is completely de-energized.

As you can see, installing a cooker hood in the toilet with your own hands is not a laborious process, it is quite simple. When performing the described actions, the exhaust system will start to work when the light is turned on.

A few important points

If you are interested in how to make ventilation in the apartment so that your time and effort are not wasted, and the exhaust system works efficiently and without failures, listen to our tips:

• Mount the fan opposite the door. Its installation on the same wall with the door weakens the air circulation.
• Before mounting the fan, be sure to clean the ventilation duct.
• Expansion of the ventilation hole increases the intensity of the hood.
• During installation, the hood is fully deepened into the shaft, only its grate looks outward.
• A sealant may act as an adhesive during installation. In addition, it will improve sound insulation, reduce the vibration of a working fan.