Domestic Fans

Frequently asked questions

Which type of domestic extractor fan do I need?

For a bathroom, shower room or toilet, a bathroom extractor fan on the wall or ceiling is the usual choice. Where there is no wall route, a window fan fits through the glass. For new builds and homes with persistent condensation, a dMEV fan runs continuously at a low trickle and boosts when needed. For whole-house condensation and mould, look at positive input ventilation or single room heat recovery.

How powerful does a bathroom or kitchen fan need to be?

Approved Document F sets minimum intermittent extract rates for homes in England: 15 litres per second for a bathroom, 6 l/s for a toilet, 30 l/s for a utility room, and for a kitchen 30 l/s through a cooker hood or 60 l/s for a fan mounted elsewhere. Check the fan's rated airflow against the rate for the room, and allow for losses in any ducting.

Can I fit an extractor fan above a bath or shower?

Bathrooms are split into zones. Directly above a bath or shower, within reach of the water, a fan needs suitable water protection and is often specified as a low voltage (SELV) model. Check the IP rating and zone guidance on the product page, and have the fan wired by a qualified electrician.

Timer, humidistat or pullcord?

A timer keeps the fan running for a set period after the light goes off, which clears moisture after a shower. A humidistat switches the fan on automatically when humidity rises, which suits rooms people forget to ventilate. A pullcord gives manual control where there is no lighting circuit to link to. Many fans combine more than one.

Intermittent fan or continuous dMEV fan?

An intermittent fan runs only when switched on or triggered. A dMEV (decentralised mechanical extract ventilation) fan runs all the time at a low, quiet speed and boosts when the room is in use. dMEV fans are common in new builds and are a good fix for rooms with ongoing condensation.

Do you sell replacement fans for older models?

Usually, yes. Send us the make and model from the label, or a photo of the fan and its fixing, and we will find the closest current replacement: email hello@efans.co.uk or call 0161 399 3825.