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Advertising supplement provided by Broan-Nutone

Today’s exhaust fans are quieter and more energy efficient. Some manufacturers now offer a variety of Energy Star-qualified ventilation fans designed for use not only in bathrooms and kitchens, but also in dens, utility rooms, offices, conference rooms and recreation rooms. Recently developed models use 65 percent less energy than standard models and may qualify for local utility rebates. Energy Star-qualified models now incorporate high-efficiency centrifugal blowers that provide virtually silent performance.

Newer models have a myriad of light options, may be recessed to match overhead lighting and some incorporate heaters. The style and operation of these new models encourage their installation in laundry rooms, basements, craft rooms, workshops, hallways and closets.

“Even the best designed home indoor air quality system is of no value if it is not used,” says a manufacturer’s spokesperson. “Humidity sensing fans are the best solution we have to that problem.”

What about the bathroom?

Contemporary bathrooms are, generally speaking, larger, and many new master baths now include showers with multiple heads, whirlpool baths and steam rooms, all of which contribute additionally to the humidity load and create a need for increased ventilation.

The most important thing to remember with regard to bathrooms is that showers are the greatest contributor to excessive humidity and that homeowners can save the house from excess moisture by running the fan for 20 minutes after each shower.

Self-sensing humidity fans operate automatically when humidity rises rapidly and turn themselves off 20-30 minutes after humidity returns to where it was before.