Extractor fans are an important device used in bathrooms, kitchens, and other areas of homes and buildings to improve indoor air quality and prevent mold growth by extracting moist indoor air and venting it outside.

In this comprehensive guide, we will cover everything you need to know about extractor fans - what they are, where you can use them, their different types, and benefits, and provide a recommendation for a high-quality, efficient model that would suit most homes.

What Is an Extractor Fan?

An extractor fan, sometimes called an exhaust fan, is a mechanical ventilation device that extracts unwanted air from a room and vents it outside using ducting. It works by creating a negative pressure that sucks stale, humid air out and replaces it with fresh air from outside or from adjacent rooms.

Extractor fans consist of a motor-driven impeller enclosed in a cylindrical or square casing with an outlet vent. The rapidly spinning impeller creates a powerful suction effect that draws air through inlet vents located strategically around the fan. The extracted air is then expelled outside through ducting.

Where Can You Use Extractor Fans At Home?

Here are some of the main areas where extractor fans should be installed at home:

Bathrooms

Bathrooms generate a lot of moisture from hot showers. Using extractor fans is vital for bathrooms to prevent mold/mildew growth and structure damage from moisture. It also refreshes the air.

Kitchen

Cooking with gas or appliances that produce steam, like kettles, pans, etc., releases humidity, grease, odors, and contaminants into the air. Kitchen extractor fans remove these effectively.

Laundry Rooms

Washers/dryers give out heat and humidity when running. An overhead extractor fan maintains optimal air quality in this high-moisture area.

Indoor Swimming Pool Areas

Pools have very high humidity levels. Pool room ventilation systems with dehumidifier fans help maintain comfortable humidity.

DIY/Hobby Rooms

Glues, paints, and chemicals used in garage workshops or hobby rooms contaminate the air. Extractor fans clear out the fumes.

Types of Extractor Fans

Extractor fans come in different designs, capacities, sizes, and types depending on the purpose:

Axial Fans

Cheaper, small capacity fixed or variable speed axial fans mounted on walls, ceilings, or windows. Best for smaller bathrooms.

Centrifugal Fans

Larger capacity, efficient fans ideal for kitchens, large bathrooms, etc., that need high-powered extraction. The ‘squirrel cage’ impeller produces a strong airflow.

Inline Fans

Installed in ducting lines, they have no external housing. Inline fans work best for hobby rooms, swimming pools, garages, commercial kitchens, etc., as they have higher extraction over longer duct runs.

Humidity Sensor Fans

They automatically switch on when humidity rises to uncomfortable levels. Humidity- controlled extractor fans are self-regulating.

Benefits of Installing Extractor Fans

Here are some of the main advantages of adding extractor fans:

Improves Ventilation and Air Quality

By actively extracting humid, contaminated indoor air, extractor fans dramatically improve ventilation and air quality.

Prevents Dampness and Mold Growth

Stale air and dampness encourage mold growth in hidden areas like attics or walls. Extractor
fans prevent this by extracting moisture.

Odor and Fume Removal

Extractor fans instantly remove odors from cooking, pet smells, paint fumes, and bodily odors that stagnate indoors.

Adds Comfort in Kitchens and Bathrooms

By clearing out heat, steam, and condensation, extractor fans make kitchens and bathrooms more comfortable environments.

Lowers Risk of Structural Damages

By controlling humidity levels, extractor fans minimize the risk of moisture seeping into walls and frames, causing structural issues.

Our Recommended Model: PUNTO M 100/4” T

The PUNTO M 100/4” T is specifically designed with smaller residential bathrooms of 3-5 m2 in mind. It has the perfect extract airflow rate of 100m3/hr to handle the moisture loads from bathtubs or showers in such compact bathrooms. Small bathrooms require efficient fans at lower capacities compared to larger bathrooms or areas.

Key Features:

• Intermittent extract capacity: 100m3/h
• Wall installation
• IPX4 splash-proof rating
• Adjustable run-on timer: 3 to 20 mins
• Single-phase
• 4 inch (100mm) duct diameter size
• Robust, compact housing (18.5 x 16 x 13 cm)
• Quieter Functioning

Conclusion
Installing good-quality extractor fans provides whole-house ventilation critical for health and prevents building damage issues from humidity and condensation. They refresh stale indoor air by actively replacing it with fresh air from outside or adjacent rooms. Extractor fans come in different motor capacities, models, and styles for various needs. For bathrooms, the PUNTO M 100/4” T, with its moisture-proof housing, reliability, and quiet operation, is a fantastic choice.