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About This Project
Are you tired of a bath fan that roars like a jet but doesn’t clear your mirror so you can shave or put on makeup? For about $150 in materials and a half day, you can have a fan that will dramatically increase the airflow and yet is so quiet you’ll forget it’s on.A new generation of efficient and quiet exhaust fans is now available at home centers and from heating, ventilation and air conditioning suppliers (under “Heating Equipment” in the Yellow Pages). The new fans are virtually silent. They’re also much more powerful and use less energy than the older models. They can even be left on full time if you need continuous ventilation. (Most ordinary fan motors would burn out.) See “Shopping for a Quiet Fan,” for more details.
Caution: Aluminum wiring requires special handling. If you have aluminum wiring, call in a licensed pro who’s certified to work with it. This wiring is dull gray, not the dull orange that’s characteristic of copper.
In this article, we’ll show you how to remove an old bath fan and install a new quiet one. In most cases you can do this in less than a day with little or no ceiling repair. While we’re at it, we’ll show you how to replace typical 3-in. uninsulated duct with much superior 4-in. insulated ductwork.
This project involves electrical wiring, so call your local electrical inspector to find out if you need a permit.
Installing a fan requires only elementary carpentry and electrical skills. You’ll need basic hand tools, a power drill and a jigsaw. The basic operations include handsawing a small drywall opening, driving sheet metal screws into aluminum ductwork, cutting aluminum duct, climbing on the roof and sawing a larger roof vent opening, and disconnecting and reconnecting electrical wires.
If you run into problems you can’t handle, such as complicated electrical wiring, tight duct clearances, water damage at the roof vent cap or a steep roof pitch, don’t hesitate to call a licensed electrician. An electrician will charge about $200 to $300 in labor for the entire project.
You’ll have to go into your attic and walk on your roof, so play it safe. Wear a long-sleeve shirt, long pants, boots, a hat and a dust mask to protect yourself from dust and insulation in the attic. While on the roof, use roof brackets, roof cleats or a safety harness for secure footing and fall protection. And if your roof is too steep or you don’t feel confident up there, hire a pro for this part.
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