After a long day, sometimes there is nothing better than a good shower, right? Afterwards, you turn on the exhaust fan to prevent moisture. An hour later, you’ve made something to eat, watched an episode or two of a TV show, and called your friend to chat about it. You hear a faint humming, but can’t quite place it.
Aha! That bathroom fan is still on, both exhausting air and increasing energy bills. Instead of beating yourself up about it, install exhaust fan timers to eliminate this problem while also reducing energy use.
Timer Settings and Operation
Bath fan timer switches are a replacement for the light and fan switches that allow for automatic timing of the length of time the exhaust fan runs. The AirCycler Smart Exhaust Panasonic Bathroom Fan Light Timer Switch is a popular model that will turn the fan on automatically when the light is turned on.
No more flipping two switches. A delay timer setting allows you to specify how long the fan will stay on after turning the light off, while a separate timer setting will make sure the fan operates a certain number of minutes each hour. It comes in both toggle and decora switch formats.
As an example, suppose someone turns on the bathroom light for 5 minutes, with the hourly ventilation set to 20 minutes, and a delay timer for 10 minutes. After the person leaves and flips the switch off, the fan will run for the additional 10-minutes delay time, totaling 15 minutes of operation for that hour. The microprocessor in the device will keep track of this and make sure the fan runs for another 5 minutes during that hour.
If you don’t want to have the fan run after a quick visit to the bathroom, just quickly flip it on and off again after turning it off, and it will cancel the delayed start of the fan.
Enough is enough, and too much is a waste
So, exactly how much is enough? Following a shower or bath, the exhaust fan should be left on no longer than 20 minutes. In this time, the fan is able to exhaust out moisture to prevent mold and the build-up of condensation. Keeping the fan on for less than this can result in the condensation problems that exasperate respiratory-related health issues such as asthma.
Understandably, it can be difficult to remember to turn the exhaust fan off, or remember how long it has been on. When the exhaust fan is left on longer than 20 minutes, it causes a waste of energy. Setting an exhaust fan timer allows you to maintain healthy air quality in the bathroom and reduce energy waste at the same time.
Choosing the right timer
Exhaust fan timers come in both mechanical and digital models. A mechanical timer operates the same way in which a classic oven-timer works, with the wind-up mechanism. These typically cost less than the digital timers, and can be set by the minute. Digital timers allow you to choose the operation settings with the push of a button. This type of exhaust fan timer does not allow for minute operation, but can only be set based on five or ten minute intervals.
Two-position timers have “on” and “timed fan” options. On activates both the light and fan, while the timed fan setting shuts the light off and operates the exhaust fan. Three-position timers have both of these functions as well as an “off” function. Setting the timer to the off position shuts off both the exhaust fan and the bathroom light.
Time for installation
Installing a timer for the exhaust fan is not a task that can solely be done by an electrician. These timers are installed by simply connecting the exhaust fan and the light in the bathroom to the switch. Once the connection has been made, the timer is ready for use.
Saving energy at home is actually much simpler than it may at times appear. The use of exhaust fan timers is a great example of this. By simply setting the timer, you are promoting healthy indoor air quality at home, reducing energy use and costs, and eliminating that horrible feeling of forgetfulness all at the same time.
So consider using an exhaust fan timer to make sure your bathroom gets the proper amount of ventilation without having to rely on people to turn the fan switch on and off. Not only will you have a better ventilated and dryer bathroom environment, you’ll also save some money by not leaving the fan on too long.
MY bathroom fan has a light on it too as well as the light on the mirror which actually lights the bathroom. it is a toggle switch used for both lights. what kind of a timer should I get ?
My problem isn’t with the fan, it’s with the timer unit itself. It’s the kind you turn *turn past 10*…so we turn it to about 25 before bathing or showering. Lately, it doesn’t shut off, it sticks right at the 10 minute mark. My question is: should I lube it with a little squirt of WD40? I can pull the turn dial straight off…but of course I have to remove the screws to access the inner unit.
I have a hall closet about 9 ft L and 3.50 W.. with washer, dryer and natural gas water heater.
I am the second owner and need to find out how often the exhaust fan in this room should run. It has a timer but zero instructions when I purchased this home. All is vented to the outside. I was told these fans are because these homes are air tight. No other fresh air intake into the home except doors and windows. Any info will be helpful.