I recently moved into a new apartment complex where the bathroom fan is always on, and I can't find a way to turn it off. Maintenance has told me that there's no way to control it, which is frustrating because I find the constant noise really annoying. I'm wondering if there's a way to disable it without getting into trouble or breaking any codes. Just to add, the fan runs all the time, regardless of whether the lights are on or off.
3 Answers
Yeah, you can definitely change how the fan operates, but it usually depends on how it’s wired. From what I know, many fans are hardwired to run at a lower speed all the time and ramp up when the switch is turned on. So, there might be a way to adjust it, but it could require some electrical work to do it right.
As a landlord, I can tell you it's crucial to keep ventilation running, especially in bathrooms with no windows. I had to install continuous fans after dealing with mold issues in the past. If tenants try to alter the systems, I’ll have to hold them responsible for any mold problems that may arise later on.
It’s pretty odd for a bathroom fan to be wired this way. You might want to check if the fan has a plug inside the housing. Sometimes they can be unplugged for maintenance or replaced easily. Also, taking off the light switch cover could reveal if it’s possible to connect the fan to the lights instead.