Due to changes in UK building regulations, extractor fans are becoming an increasingly common item in today's homes. They are now required to be fitted into all new toilets, bathrooms and utility rooms. But what features should your extractor fan have, and what do all the features actually mean? What is a Timer? Do you need a Humidistat? Is a PIRT fan essential? This article explains the 5 main features of extractor fans and in what situations they may be useful.
Basic Extractor Fan
A basic fan does what it says on the tin, it's just a fan. When turned on it will extract air, and when turned off it will stop extracting, so no fancy gizmos here. When your electrician installs the fan, you can choose to have it wired into the light switch or a separate switch used solely for the fan. When you activate the switch, the fan will come on, and when you deactivate it, the fan will turn off.
Pullcord Model:
A fan with a pullcord is activated and de-activated when the pullcord is pulled, so you just use the fan when needed, it is not wired into the light switch. Pullcord fans can also have timers or humidistats. Pullcord fans are commonly used in kitchens or utility rooms where you do not want to turn the fan on every time you enter the room, and want to have complete control over when it is active.
Timer Model.
A fan with a timer works in the following way: Let's say the extractor fan is wired into the light switch, when you turn the light on, the fan comes on. However, when you turn the light off, the timer, or to give it its full name, over-run timer, kicks in. The fan will then continue to operate for a given number of minutes, anywhere between 5 and 45 minutes depending on the make of fan, which you have set on install. This is very useful in situations where just having the fan on while you are in the room will not be adequate to clear the humidity or odour.
Humidistat Model
A fan with a humidistat comes on automatically when the humidity in the room reaches a certain level, usually set on install. This is very useful in shower rooms or utility rooms. The fan will turn on irrespective of whether the fan has been turned on at the switch, which is a very good feature for rented properties or in a room where the fan is wired into a light switch which isn't required to be turned on during the day as the room is well lit by natural light.
PIR Model (Passive Infa-Red):
A fan with a PIR will turn on automatically when a person enters the room without a switch having to be activated, again, very useful in rented properties if you want to ensure that the fan is always activated to prevent mould build up.
For examples please see Bathroom Extractor Fan or Kitchen Extractor Fan.
Basic Extractor Fan
A basic fan does what it says on the tin, it's just a fan. When turned on it will extract air, and when turned off it will stop extracting, so no fancy gizmos here. When your electrician installs the fan, you can choose to have it wired into the light switch or a separate switch used solely for the fan. When you activate the switch, the fan will come on, and when you deactivate it, the fan will turn off.
Pullcord Model:
A fan with a pullcord is activated and de-activated when the pullcord is pulled, so you just use the fan when needed, it is not wired into the light switch. Pullcord fans can also have timers or humidistats. Pullcord fans are commonly used in kitchens or utility rooms where you do not want to turn the fan on every time you enter the room, and want to have complete control over when it is active.
Timer Model.
A fan with a timer works in the following way: Let's say the extractor fan is wired into the light switch, when you turn the light on, the fan comes on. However, when you turn the light off, the timer, or to give it its full name, over-run timer, kicks in. The fan will then continue to operate for a given number of minutes, anywhere between 5 and 45 minutes depending on the make of fan, which you have set on install. This is very useful in situations where just having the fan on while you are in the room will not be adequate to clear the humidity or odour.
Humidistat Model
A fan with a humidistat comes on automatically when the humidity in the room reaches a certain level, usually set on install. This is very useful in shower rooms or utility rooms. The fan will turn on irrespective of whether the fan has been turned on at the switch, which is a very good feature for rented properties or in a room where the fan is wired into a light switch which isn't required to be turned on during the day as the room is well lit by natural light.
PIR Model (Passive Infa-Red):
A fan with a PIR will turn on automatically when a person enters the room without a switch having to be activated, again, very useful in rented properties if you want to ensure that the fan is always activated to prevent mould build up.
For examples please see Bathroom Extractor Fan or Kitchen Extractor Fan.
SHARE
