Have you ever wondered why you change your furnace filter a few times a year but not your bathroom fan filter?
Bathroom fans don’t have filters as they only move the air in one direction. Their primary function as exhaust fans is to remove condensation from the bathroom and discharge it outside. Using a filter with a bathroom fan would cause it to work inefficiently and become a hazardous moisture trap.
This article will discuss a bathroom fan’s central parts and why it doesn’t have a filter. I’ll also look at the best ways of cleaning your bathroom fan.
Reasons Bathroom Fans Don’t Have Filters
The reasons why bathroom fans don’t have filters are directly related to how they function.
1. Bathroom Fans Don’t Recirculate Air
Bathroom fans are mainly exhaust fans, which only move the air in one direction.
Exhaust fans pull the moisture from the air, which is then expelled from the system and out of the building.
They do not take in air from the outside to recirculate it back into the room and, therefore, don’t need filters.
2. Filters Would Be a Moisture Trap
Instead of allowing condensation to move into the fan and get pulled into the ducting, a filter would prevent much humid air from entering the bathroom fan’s main parts.
A lot of the moisture-rich air would settle on the filter and, over time, it could cause mold and bacteria build-up in and around the unit and become a health hazard.
3. Filters Would Decrease the Fan’s Effectiveness
Without a filter, condensation flows freely into the bathroom fan when it’s switched on.
The fan’s rotating blades encourage the humid air to flow into the unit.
If there is a filter covering the fan’s blades, it won’t be as effective at drawing the condensation into the unit and maybe nothing more than a waste of electricity.
Components of Bathroom Fans and How They Work
To better understand why bathroom fans don’t use filters, let’s take a look at their main parts and how they work.
Bathroom fans are ceiling or wall-mounted exhaust fans that help decrease humidity, condensation, and mold build-up.
Here are the components that make that happen:
- Motor. A bathroom fan’s motor powers the fan and starts operating when the wall switch is turned on.
- Fan. When the bathroom fan is switched on, the motor causes the fan’s blades to rotate to pull in the humid air.
- Ducting. Condensation pulled into the bathroom fan flows out of the building through the ducting. Bathroom fan ductwork is typically aluminum. It’s usually well-insulated as the temperature difference between the exhausted air in the duct, and the surrounding building material can cause condensation (which can cause mold and moisture build-up and damage the surrounding materials).
- Exterior hood. The exterior hood has a circular flap or a set of louvers to allow the exhausted air to flow out of the fan. Once the fan stops running, the flaps or louvers close to prevent air from entering the fan’s system.
Sometimes, bathroom fans also feature a built-in light and a timer to automatically turn off after a specific time.
How To Clean and Maintain a Bathroom Fan
Basic furnace maintenance involves replacing the filter every few months. However, since bathroom fans don’t have filters, you’re likely wondering how to keep them clean and dust-free.
Here are some easy steps for cleaning your bathroom fan:
- Turn the fan off and cut its power supply to prevent electrocution. Dust and remove dirt from the bathroom fan’s exterior. This helps avoid a huge mess when you remove the cover.
- Remove the fan’s cover. You can typically easily do this with a standard-sized screwdriver.
- Dust and then clean the cover with warm soapy water. Once cleaned, dry it thoroughly.
- Inspect the fan’s interior and gently remove dislodged dust and dirt. You’ll likely spend most of the time cleaning the fan’s blades, typically the dirtiest part. Replace the cover and connect the power.
Cleaning your bathroom fan twice a year is the best way of maintaining it, and you don’t need to have it serviced unless it’s no longer working efficiently or is making a strange sound.
Conclusion
The main parts of a bathroom fan are the motor, fan, ducting, and exterior hood. It doesn’t need a filter because it doesn’t recirculate air back into the room.
Rather, an exhaust fan pulls moist air from the bathroom into the unit then discharges it outside.
Using a filter with a bathroom fan would not work as effectively, could become a moisture trap, and cause a build-up of mold or bacteria.
Cleaning your bathroom fan is a simple way to avoid potential issues.
Aim to clean it twice a year, and call in a professional if it’s not properly removing condensation from your bathroom.
