Welcome to the Extractor Fan World Blog, in this video, we'll be taking a look at one of our most frequently asked questions to do with inline duct fans. "What parts do I need to install an inline fan in my bathroom?"
You'll find links to a selection of the best inline fans from the UK's leading manufacturers and the relevant ducting accessories below.
Product Links
Video Transcript
Hi, welcome to Extractor Fan World TV. My name's Matt and in this video we will be looking at all the items needed to install an inline fan.
The best option is to install a 4 or 100mm in-line extractor fan such as this. These units are installed in either a ceiling void or loft space above the bathroom so you need to ensure you have enough space to house our fan unit above the bathroom ceiling. By excluding the unit from the bathroom you can not only duct from any bathroom zone but also minimises noise levels.
So what do I need to have one of these fans installed in my bathroom?
First let's work out our extraction points. We will need two of these, one in our bathroom ceiling and the other to extract to the outside world.
Let's start with the placement of our internal extraction point in your bathroom. Because the fan unit is not situated in the bathroom, this allows you to put your internal grille, such as this, wherever you want it. This means you can safely place the grille directly above your power shower without any worry of damage if it gets splashed.
Next, let's look at the external grille options There are three option here. We can extract through the wall, through the soffit or vertically out of the roof using a roof kit. In this video we are going to look at the first two options as they are the most common choices.
Let's look at the first two options to show the different grille options available and which is best suited for each installation. For the first option is to vent out of an external gable end wall. We would recommend using the no resist backdraft grille for this installation. This grille has been designed to neutralise any resistance to the fan unit while designed to minimise backdrafts entering the ducting.
Let's look now at extracting through a soffit. We would recommend using the fixed grille for this installation, like this. The no resist backdraft grille is designed to work when installed on a vertical wall and will therefore not be an effective option here in minimising backdrafts. The fixed grille will also give a more flush finish making for a nicer aesthetic.
Now let's look at the placement of the fan unit. In-line fans are powerful and can duct over greater distances than your average through the wall axial fans. On average they are happy to duct up to 10 metres, but the shorter distance we can use will minimise stress put on the fan's motor, prolonging it's life. We suggest you have the fan situated about halfway between the internal and external extraction points. Fans find it easier to draw rather than push the air this will help maintain an efficient flow.
Let's look at how we connect all of these elements together. For this you will need some 100mm or 4 ducting. We suggest using the aluminium flexible ducting, like this, as this makes installation much easier over and around any structural obstacles. It is worth noting that when you install the ducting you want it pulled as taught as possible to minimise any air flow resistance over the internal ridges of the ducting. To secure the ducting tightly you will need to use some duct clamps, like this. These are placed around both the ducting and the spigot of the grilles or fan unit and tightened using a screw driver to attach them securely. We suggest adding an inline backdraft shutter such as this in the ducting after the fan unit to help stop any drafts from entering your bathroom when the fan unit is switched off.
Let's look at a completed example to show all the items in place. Here you can see the internal grill, leading to the fan unit, an inline backdraft shutter is here, and finally the external grille, all connected with the flexible aluminium ducting and secured with duct clamps.
I hope this video has been helpful. All of the items shown in this video can be found through the links in the description below. We look forward to seeing you again next time here on Extractor Fan World TV.