Replies

1. 
   gravy | Jul 23, 2004 03:35pm | #1

   Fantech is very highly regarded for this application.   http://www.fantech.net/

   Dave

1. 
   BowBear | Jul 23, 2004 11:01pm | #2

   I don't want to highjack the thread, but I saw an advert for a heat recovery air exchange unit that showed the bathroom vents hooked up to it. Is this a reasonable thing to do?

   An ex-boat builder treading water!

1. 
   gravy | Jul 23, 2004 11:26pm | #3

   I'm no expert on that subject, but it seems to me that you'd have to run the bath fans a lot in really cold weather to ever get a heat exchanger to pay for itself in energy savings. If you're running a ventilation fan constantly for indoor air quality, it might make sense.

   Fantech sells heat exchangers as well as fans. I don't know how good the heat exchangers are.

   Dave

1. 
   BowBear | Jul 23, 2004 11:49pm | #4

   Thank you for your response. My question was confusing. The BI has said that I need to install a air exchanger as I have installed a wood stove in my basement workshop. The air exchanger ad suggests hooking the bathroom vent to it rather than to a separate vent as a way of venting the bathroom reducing bthe holes in the house and recovering the heat. the additional cost would be the dutwork the savings would be the bathroom fan and exterior vent.An ex-boat builder treading water!

1. 
   gravy | Jul 23, 2004 11:57pm | #5

   If ya gotta do the HE anyway, I guess it might make sense to vent the bath through it. Just make sure the pressure balance is right.

   Dave

2. 
   Piffin | Jul 24, 2004 05:56am | #7

   and part of balancing that is to be sure the bathrooom doors don't fit so tight as to disallow makeup air and choke it out.

   The biggest problem I have had with fantech is that it is so quiet that I have had two customers who convinced themselves that the exhaust fan is not working. I turn on th e switch, throw a dollar bill at the vent, and after it gets sucked up tight against it, I turn off the switch.

   This all with the customer present.

   Makes for one of those "Ooops" moments. 

    

   Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

3. 
   HeavyDuty | Jul 24, 2004 06:50am | #8

   I turn on th e switch, throw a dollar bill at the vent, and after it gets sucked up tight against it, I turn off the switch.

   That why nobody buys Fantech here in the great white north, we use dollar coins here.

4. 
   SamT | Jul 25, 2004 08:19pm | #9

   Ya need one 'o these

   View Image   FanTech Ultra Super  Dooper Turbo Multi Bath Exhaust Fan Model 2004

   Arguing with a Breaktimer is like mud-wrestling a pig -- Sooner or later you find out the pig loves it. Andy Engel

   Edited 7/25/2004 1:24 pm ET by SamT

5. 
   HeavyDuty | Jul 25, 2004 09:24pm | #10

   Where can I get one of those? How much?

   I figure if I get that, I wouldn't need a toilet. It would just suck the s--- out of there.

6. 
   RStukenberg | Jul 26, 2004 03:23pm | #11

   Now that should do the trick! Do I vent that through the roof or gable end?

2. 
   billyg | Jul 24, 2004 05:45am | #6

   I've used Fantech fans in the attic to vent multiple bathrooms.  Turning on the timer switch in any bathroom turns on the fan for all bathrooms.  It's not a problem for 2 or 3 baths on one fan, but you may want to use some electronic dampers if you have more than that on one fan.  Select the fan size based on the CFM that you need.  Mount the fan so that it does not transfer vibration to the structure in way that you can hear inside.  Exhaust out the roof, or out the gable end if you have a gable roof.  Insulate the ducts in your attic!

   Here's a good Fantech supplier:
   http://www.hvacquick.com/

   Billy

3. 
   RStukenberg | Jul 26, 2004 03:38pm | #12

   Is it better to vent through the roof or through a gable end? The bathrooms are in the SE corner of the house, so both options are close.

   Thanks for the info!

1. 
   billyg | Jul 28, 2004 02:01am | #13

   I recommend gable end instead of the roof!  No roof flashing, snow pileup & other issues.

   Billy

2. 
   bigman | Jan 31, 2005 12:12am | #14

   Vent the shortest possible run, because of condensation issues