I have a house built in 1989 and my master bathroom en suite has original fittings, including a sizable tiled shower stall with a frosted glass door. The current setup includes an integrated exhaust fan with the central light, but it doesn't perform well, so I'm planning to replace it. I can easily access the space above. My question is whether I should convert the shower's light into a vent as well. I'm considering a humidity control feature for the main fan, but I'm also thinking that having an exhaust fan directly in the shower could help prevent moisture issues before they start. However, I've read mixed opinions about whether a fan in such a contained space would be too much for immediate humidity levels. I'm located in Ontario, Canada, so climate may play a role too.
3 Answers
We made the switch to a fan in the shower, and it worked wonders for humidity control! Make sure to properly calculate the cfm you’ll need and that the fan has a direct duct to the outside.
Living in a colder climate, I’ve dealt with similar issues. It’s more effective to have one good exhaust fan rather than multiple, but consider putting a fan above the shower and removing the main one if it makes sense for your setup. Don't forget that using the fan consistently is crucial, so having a humidity sensor could save you a lot of hassle.
Great tip! I remember back in the U.K. where the lack of insulation made condensation a constant issue. I thought going big with the fan would help but it didn’t as much as I hoped.
When choosing a fan, make sure it’s rated for your bathroom size, as having more air flow than necessary won’t really help. The key is ensuring you have sufficient make-up air to replace what you’re exhausting. If humidity is trapped above your shower, it can be beneficial to install an exhaust fan in that space to help clear it out.
That makes sense! The door height leaves quite a bit of warm air above. I think that might really help.
Thanks for the advice! The current fan does vent outside, but I think the duct needs insulation.