Silent bathroom fan with non-return valve: selection and installation
Ensuring high-quality ventilation in the bathroom is one of the mandatory requirements, since during the shower or bath, a large amount of steam is generated in the room, which can worsen the microclimate or damage the finish. In addition, adequate air circulation will normalize the amount of moisture in the room and prevent steam from entering adjacent living rooms through cracks in the doors. Install bathroom fan silent with check valve would be the best option.
Exterior view of the fan with a check valve
The content of the article
- 1 Do I need to create forced ventilation in the bathroom, or can you get by with natural ventilation?
- 2 Why do you need a check valve in a fan design?
- 3 How to choose a silent bathroom fan with a check valve?
- 4 Installation of a fan with a non-return valve
- 5 Conclusion
- 6 Video: review of the household fan Domovent VNL
Do I need to create forced ventilation in the bathroom, or can you get by with natural ventilation?
In the projects of most private and multi-storey residential buildings, only a natural exhaust-type air circulation system was provided for in the bathrooms. This led to the fact that during the shower, steam or unpleasant odors were discharged at a certain rate through a small ventilation hole.
Exterior view of the ventilation grill covering the air duct of the natural ventilation system
Such a system did not always cope with the circulation of the necessary air volumes and dampness accumulated in the bathroom, an ideal microclimate was created for the development of bacteria or mold growth. The reasons for this were mainly errors in the design of ventilation ducts or their clogging during operation. In the worst case, the bad smell could go in the opposite direction due to a change in draft, for example, when opening a door to a room.
Air flow visualization
When installing forced ventilation, due to the correct selection extraction performance, all of these disadvantages can be avoided.As a pleasant bonus, it will be possible not only to remove the polluted air, but also to take fresh air from the ventilation, if an appropriate ventilation system is used, or to provide mixed modes of operation for blowing and blowing. That is, if you install an exhaust fan for the bathroom, then the following advantages will appear, compared to the natural way of ventilation:
- Increased air exchange with the same size of ventilation ducts.
- Complete absence of condensation on walls or ceilings due to high efficiency of steam extraction.
- Improving the dryness of the room.
- Temperature stabilization in the bathroom by exchanging air with indoor or outdoor spaces.
- No accumulation of dirt in the channels due to powerful air flows.
Hood design with non-return valve
Why do you need a check valve in a fan design?
When organizing forced ventilation, situations may arise when several fans are operating simultaneously, which take in or release air. With complex trajectories of its movement, vortices or pressure drops can be created. As a result, circulation may be disturbed and an unpleasant smell, along with the steam, will go to neighboring rooms. To prevent such situations, a check valve is used, which timely closes access to the ventilated channel.
The operating principle of the hood is shown with an open check valve
Types of check valves for fans
Check valves may differ in material of manufacture, shape, actuation mechanism, installation method, as well as throughput. Usually plastic or metal is used as a material. Plastic is the most profitable, as it is resistant to moisture, undemanding in maintenance and does not significantly increase the cost of the entire device. The metal has increased strength and therefore is resistant to various mechanical influences. The moisture-resistant non-return valve installed on the bathroom exhaust fan is identified by the protective cover.
The appearance of the plastic check valve
Useful advice! Plastic parts of the body and structure provide the maximum possible reduction of noise and vibration, unlike metal ones. Therefore, it is recommended to choose the first option for the home.
Metal check valve
The shape of the flap must follow the contours of the ventilation opening for maximum extraction performance. Standard shapes are: round, square and rectangular.
The ventilation valve control methods can be manual or automated. The former have increased reliability and low maintenance requirements. The presence or absence of electricity will not affect their performance in any way. However, it is not always possible to timely close the access to the ventilated channel, which can lead to negative consequences. The automatic design will ensure optimum system performance without outside interference and is therefore the most suitable for bathroom applications.
Related article:
Plastic air ducts and ventilation fittings. A separate overview provides useful information on the use and types of fittings for plastic ventilation.
How to choose a silent bathroom fan with a check valve?
The exhaust fan in the bathroom, first of all, should be selected according to the type of performance, since it is they that provide the main operational characteristics and efficiency. They are axial and centrifugal. Axial is a design in which the propeller is located in a plane perpendicular to the ventilation duct. They are usually made of plastic and are easy to install.
Axial design
Attention! It is recommended to install axial fans if there is not only a special seat for their fastening, but also a horizontal duct section of at least 3 m in length. This is due to the fact that for such structures it is important to ensure the minimum aerodynamic resistance.
Centrifugal ones are more powerful designs that can be installed even in clogged systems or in the presence of long duct channels. They are also allowed to operate if the ventilation system is one-pipe. Structurally, they consist of two parts: a casing and a turbine in the form of a snail.
Centrifugal design
What additional fan functions should you pay extra attention to when choosing?
Silent bathroom fan with a check valve is distinguished by the possible presence of additional options:
- Constant ventilation mode. It differs from ordinary standard ventilation in that the propeller is constantly on, but does not work at a certain speed, but is able to change, depending on the readings of the humidity sensor, in order to dry the room. That is, at the same time, an energy-saving mode and an ideal microclimate in the bathroom are provided.
- Sleep timer. Allows you to leave the hood on without worrying about having to turn it off after a certain time.
- The hydrostat helps to maintain the optimal humidity level in the room using automatic control. This feature is especially in demand in bathrooms that are frequently used or damp.
- The motion sensor will automatically turn on the device when a person enters the room. That is, it effectively removes possible unpleasant odors. Disconnection is carried out automatically after a certain set time.
- Splash protection will protect the electronics from short circuits. The recommended minimum protection level should be at least IP5.
Helpful information! It is recommended to buy a suitable fan for your bathroom hood only after the required functionality has been determined. If it lacks an important function, then it will have to be replaced, since today no structures are produced that can be configured in accordance with the increased requirements.
Review of some fan manufacturers
The most famous manufacturers of silent ventilation units include the following:
- Soler & Palau - a Spanish manufacturer, which is a recognized leader in the manufacture of high-quality and quiet ventilation systems. It has existed for more than half a century and during this period not only increased production volumes, but also updated the main product lines. The production of components for ventilation systems has been opened in more than 10 countries. The turnover is constantly increasing and innovative changes are made to the technical equipment of the products. That is, this company is a branded one, and its products are guaranteed to have the declared technical characteristics.
Soler & Palau products
- Maico - the standard of German ventilation technology. The company was founded more than 80 years ago in Germany, the goal of which was to introduce innovative developments in equipment that is flawless in quality and easy to use. Today it consistently occupies a leading position and differs from competitors by the presence of a unique production line, as well as positive reviews from experts. The range of products is more than 1600 items, which speaks of high professionalism and striving for results, and not an increase in the number of products of mediocre quality.
Maico brand model
- Company Elicent is the official division of Maico in Italy. However, the main emphasis is on the functionality of the manufactured ventilation systems.Therefore, the cost of production is lower than that of Maico, which is an excellent alternative for those people who do not need a special chic in the bathroom. Reliability and practicality at an affordable price allowed Elicent to compete with giant manufacturers in the ventilation equipment industry and, it should be noted, very successfully.
Elicent device
- Domestic company Vents exists on the ventilation equipment market relatively recently, only 26 years, but over the years it has been able to compete with foreign brands. The research and production base allows us to create high-quality products, fully adapted to domestic operating conditions. All goods are certified and meet international quality standards. At the same time, the cost of fans is much cheaper than analogues.
Vents products
- Hoods from an Italian company Vortice They are distinguished by increased reliability, safety and a completely aesthetic external design, which significantly differs from competitors. The priority of the company is based on the principle of an integrated approach and the introduction of large-scale scientific achievements in products. The model ranges are versatile with very specific differences.
Fan brand Vortice
Fan prices by manufacturer
Fan prices are largely dependent on manufacturers and product functionality. Therefore, it is necessary to choose some kind of compromise option that will satisfy all the main selection criteria. Average prices in Russia are shown in Table 1.
Table 1. Average prices for fans in Russia
| Picture | Manufacturer | Model | Diameter, mm | Cost, rub. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Vortice | Punto M 100/4 " | 100 | 2 103 |
| Punto M 100/4 ”LL | 100 | 3 480 | ||
| Punto M 100/4 ”T LL | 100 | 5 003 | ||
| Punto M 120/5 ”AT HCS LL | 120 | 9 063 | ||
| Punto M 150/6 " | 150 | 4 640 | ||
| Punto M 150/6 ”T | 150 | 6 163 | ||
| Punto M 150/6 ”AT HCS LL | 150 | 10 875 |
| Picture | Manufacturer | Model | Diameter, mm | Cost, rub. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Soler & Palau | Vent 125L | 125 | 5 150 |
| Vent 150L | 150 | 6 330 | ||
| Vent 160L | 160 | 6 700 |
| Picture | Manufacturer | Model | Diameter, mm | Cost, rub. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Vents | 100 X1 | 100 | 898 |
| 100 X1 Turbo | 100 | 1 102 | ||
| 125 X1 | 125 | 1 000 | ||
| 125 X1 BT | 125 | 1 663 | ||
| 125 M3T | 125 | 1 408 |
| Picture | Manufacturer | Model | Diameter, mm | Cost, rub. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Maico | ECA Piano H | 125 | 5 893 |
| ER 100 | 100 | 3 735 | ||
| ER 100 VZ | 100 | 4 150 | ||
| ER 60 | 60 | 3 435 | ||
| ER 60 VZ | 60 | 3 800 |
| Picture | Manufacturer | Model | Diameter, mm | Cost, rub. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Elicent | E-Style 100 Pro | 100 | 1 821 |
| E-Style 120 Pro | 120 | 2 450 | ||
| E-Style 120 Pro C / C | 120 | 2 790 | ||
| E-Style 120 Pro PIR | 120 | 3 986 | ||
| E-Style 150 Pro T | 150 | 3 515 |
We make the final choice of fan for the hood in the bathroom
The main selection criterion is to ensure sufficient extraction performance, that is, power. This parameter is influenced by the area of the bathroom and the volume of air that stagnates in it. Therefore, initially you need to measure the height, length and width of the room. The volume is calculated by multiplying all the listed quantities. Then, in accordance with current regulations, the resulting value must be multiplied by the air exchange rate. For the bathroom, this factor is between 3 and 8.
Helpful information! It is recommended to take the average value of the multiplicity factor, and round the resulting power value to the nearest whole number.
Another equally important indicator is the level of electrical safety. In a humid environment with a possible presence of water vapor, it is recommended to choose such designs in which the connection to the power supply can be made outside the bath or all conductive and contact parts are reliably protected. For safety reasons, it is worth giving preference to low-voltage devices, which are powered by direct current with a value of 12 or 24 V.
Installation of a fan with a non-return valve
Installation of a silent fan for a bathroom is recommended in the air duct itself or outside with embedding into the wall or ceiling in a special exhaust airlock. Step-by-step installation is performed in the following sequence:
- We connect to the power supply depending on the availability of control devices for the operation of the device and wiring features.
Electrical connection diagram
Attention! Before installation work, it is necessary to de-energize the entire apartment, or locally only the bathroom. When connecting inside a bathroom, it is advisable to take care to ensure a sufficient level of electrical protection. If there are doubts about the quality of the installed wiring, it is recommended to replace it or lay a new one over the wall surface.
Prepared hole in the wall for installing the hood
- Carefully remove the decorative cover from the front side of the case.
Removing the decorative panel
- On the reverse side, at the point of contact of the device body with the chimney, along the abutment line, apply a thin uniform layer of glue or silicone grease. This will provide a reliable and sealed contact.
Applying glue to the line of contact with the duct
- We put the device case in place of its attachment and press it tightly against the wall. If excess glue has formed, then immediately remove them from the decorative finish with a dry, dense cloth.
Inserting the body into the seat
- If there are attachment points for screws or bolts, then we must screw them in so that the structure is held securely in case of possible vibrations.
- Installing a mosquito net.
- We fix the front panel.
Installation work completed
Conclusion
In order to ensure high-quality ventilation, it is necessary to purchase a silent bathroom fan that is suitable for the parameters, which will be equipped with a check valve. This will allow you to get an optimal indoor climate and the necessary additional functionality.
Video: review of the household fan Domovent VNL
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