Recommend a very quiet, low-CFM exhaust fan?
I need the quietest, continuous-run bath fan available for a small building. It’s a 400-square-foot, 4500-cubic-foot space to be used as a painting studio and occasional guest quarters. One bath, no kitchen. I’m expecting it to be 1-2 ACH50.
The plan is to install the fan in the bathroom ceiling, although there is a very small concealed space that could house an inline fan. I don’t think this project needs a HRV, and in any case there isn’t anywhere to install the ductwork for one.
I usually use 80 CFM Whispergreen fans in my projects, and they work fine, although I don’t really think they “whisper”. The 50 CFM Whispergreen model does not have the variable speed feature. My goal is to install something that can run at a low CFM rate most of the time, and ramp up if someone uses the shower. Most of all, it needs to be quiet.
Any recommendations?
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Replies
David,
I would choose one of the Panasonic fans. If the airflow rate of the fan is too much for your small space, you can control the fan with a timer that runs for only 20 minutes every hour (or any other portion of an hour that you care to program).
Anyone aware of an inline fan that's either low CFM or variable speed? I have used the Panasonic inline fans a couple of times, but the smallest one is 110CFM and you can't dial it back. I have enough room to install an inline fan with either 1 or 2 inlets (could vent the main space as well as the bathroom) but want to be able to run
If it's a painting studio, what kind of painting? Build-up of toxic solvents may be more of a concern than the usual humidity issues. Oils will need more ventilation than acrylics or watercolors, encaustics are worse still.
James, the owner does small watercolors, otherwise I would be asking the how-do-I-provide-makeup-air-for-a-1200CFM-Wolf-hood question.
i like the panasonic fans, too. but even a low-sone bath fan can sound like a sikorksky if the ducting is inadequate. a short section of flexible duct between the fan and the negative-sloping rigid duct seems to help.