Are you looking forward to replacing your bathroom exhaust fan but aren’t sure about the size? Well, getting the right fan for your bathroom might not be an easy task as most tend to look similar from the surface.
But does it mean that they are of standard size?
No, bathroom fans are not of the same size. The housing dimensions differ across models. However, the duct size is standardized, with most models featuring a 4or 6-inch duct.
An exhaust fan helps remove moist air and odors. But do you know that installing a weak undersized fan isn’t worth the effort?
It’s therefore important that you understand how bathroom fans are sized and how to select one with the proper capacity for your space.
Standard Fan Sizing
Bathroom fans are rated for the air they can move, measured in cubic feet per minute (CFM). A standard fan sizing applies only to bathrooms that are 100 sq. ft.
To get the square footage of the bathroom, you need to multiply the length by the width. For instance, if your bathroom is 6 feet wide and 8 feet long, its square footage is 48.
This means that you should get a fan rated for at least 48 CFM. But before you get the fan, consider the following:
- The minimum allowed bathroom fan CFM is 50 CFM; therefore, although your bathroom is only 48 sq. ft., you’ll still have to get a 50 CFM fan.
- It’s always a good idea to oversize the fan slightly. Take, for example, if you have a 55 square foot bathroom, installing a fan of 60 CFM is a good measure.
- If your bathroom has separate rooms or a jetted tub, you’ll require more than one fan.
When sizing a bathroom fan, you need to consider the duct size and the length. Note that most 50 CFM fans run well with a 4-inch round duct.
If your bathroom requires a higher CFM fan, you have to increase the duct size to a 5 or 6-inch duct. To get the proper duct size for your fan, check the instructions manual that comes with the fan, as they usually outline the requirements.
You also need to ensure that there’s enough space for the area you’ll be installing the fan as trying to force too much air via an undersized duct will lead to insufficient venting.
Sizing a Bathroom Fan for Standard Bathrooms with High Ceilings
If you have a standard-sized bathroom with tall ceilings, you’ll need to calculate the CFM differently (in addition to the standard CFM) to get the right sizing of the fan.
The standard ceiling height for bathrooms is 8 feet. This means that if your bathroom’s ceiling exceeds this height, you’ll need to factor in the increased vertical space.
For instance, if your bathroom has a 12 feet ceiling and the floor area is 120 square feet, this is how you calculate the CFM of the fan to go for:
- First step – multiply floor sq. ft by the ceiling height
- 2nd step – Divide by 60 minutes
- 3rd step – Multiply by 8
In this case, therefore,
- First step – 120 sq.ft x 12 feet = 1,440
- Second step – 1440/60 = 24
- 3rd step – 24 x 8 = 192 CFM
You’ll therefore need a bathroom fan that is at least 192 CFM. You can also go for a bathroom fan with a slightly higher CFM than the minimum without a problem.
Sizing for Large Bathrooms
If yours is a bathroom that measures over 100 square feet, you can get the correct fan sizing by considering the number of fixtures in the room. Then, add up CFM ratings for all fixtures.
For example, if your bathroom includes a shower, a jetted tub and a bathtub, you need to add up the required CFM ratings for the 3 fixtures to figure out the CFM of the ideal fan.
If your bathroom has a shower or toilet area enclosed, install a separate fan for that area. And if the enclosed space is tiny, a 50 CFM will suffice.
If the area is larger, use the appropriate calculation with respect to the room size. All you ought to remember is that the fan needs airflow to work sufficiently.
Therefore, if the door to the enclosure is closed and there’s no gap, the fan will most likely get starved of fresh air and thus perform poorly.
If the gap at the bottom of the door is very tiny, say less than 5/8, leave the door slightly open when using the shower/toilet.
Also, if your shower area is completely enclosed, the fan will need to be GFCI connected. You might also consider getting a bathroom fan with light as well.
You can also choose to install a louvered door that allows airflow.
FAQs
Can the duct size affect CFM?
The quality of the duct can also affect the CFM output of your fan. Should you get a new bath fan, check the instructions for the required duct size.
The best ducts for bathroom fans tend to be insulated, a feature that helps prevent condensation and reduce noise.
Are bathroom exhaust fans standard size?
What is a good CFM rating for your bathroom fan?
In general, get a fan that can move at least 1 CFM per sq. ft.
What is the highest CFM for a bathroom exhaust fan?
How may CFM would I need for an 8 x 10 bathroom?
How do I know the size of bathroom exhaust fan I need?
8 is the standard number of air exchanges that you need in your bathroom every hour. So the answer is the CFM rating of the fan you need for your bathroom.
How many CFM do I need for a 12 x 12 bathroom?
Is it bad to oversize a bathroom exhaust fan?
What does CFM stand for?
Are there bathroom fans with different CFMs?
Conclusion
It’s only by getting the right sized bathroom fan that you can help keep your bathroom free of moisture and foul smell. And to get the correct size, you need to figure out the right dimensions of your bathroom and the accurate CFM rating.
After going through the guide, we hope that you can now get the ideal exhaust fan for your bathroom with ease.