Bathroom Fan Recommendations

[coopns]

I have to bathrooms' - 50 sq. and 45 sq. They don't currently have fans.
Fan recommendations with light, I would like a good one.

[jadnashua]

Check out the Panasonic line...they are quiet and well made.

[jimbo]

Here is just one example, from Broan> http://www.broan.com/display/router.asp?ProductID=100413 . Although a 50 or 70 CFM would spec out for your small rooms, I strongly recommend higher CFM. Having plenty of ventilation is the number 1 way to elimiate any mold/mildew issues. And since you have to live with this for a long time, I also recommend spending the bucks to get a quiet fan. Personally I consider 1.0 sones to be the maximum I will accept for a bathroom fan, and you will probably pay $200+ for that. The best Broans are pretty good, and the Panasonics mentioned are top of the line for this application. Also pricey.

[CarlH]

I'll add in another vote for the Panasonic fans. I prefer their Whisper Green (VK in the part number) followed by their Whisper Ceiling (VQ in the part number). Both are available with a light. For Broan/Nutone you should stick with there top of the line units. I think that is the QTXE series. A 50 CFM fan is about the right sized for your bathrooms, but if you have a reasonably long duct run you should definitely bump it to a 80 CFM unit or if you want to extra insurance against moisture build up go with the 80 CFM. If you shop around, you should be able to find a good one for less than $200. If you add in extra bells and whistles like humidity sensing that will push you over $200 for sure. In my opinion, the extra money spent on a quiet fan is worth it.

[DavidTu]

Anyone have experience with or recommendations for Fantech fans? I'm intrigued by their remote fan set up.

http://residential.fantech.net/residential-products/bath/

[coopns]

Sorry just getting back on this. So this one at Walmart would be fine?
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Panasonic-Exhuast-Fans-WhisperGreen-Lite-80-CFM-Standard-Ceiling-Mounted-Ventilation-Fan-and-Light-Energy-Star/13875098#ProductDetail

or would you go with this one...
http://www.***********.com/invt/panfv08vkl1?source=shopzillacse

Thanks again. I don't need anything too fancy, but quality is important.

[TWEAK]

My choice came down to Panasonic and Broan. I selected the Broan becasue it had all the features I wanted, and was in stock locally. It senses humidity and turns the fan on & off based on that. It also has a flourescent lamp, and a night light. I also like them quiet... but I wouldn't go nuts. If you can't hear it running you can't tell when it's broken. I can't remember how many sones mine is - you can hear it - barely.

I am using an LED bulb in place of the standard 4W nightlight bulb. The LED bulb was about $7 and has a slight bluish cast to it, but draws less than a watt, and should last a very long time. I rigged it to a photoswitch pointing at the window. The regular flourescent lamp is wired into the same circuit as the overhead can lights. It all seems to be working well.

[jadnashua]

Anyone have experience with or recommendations for Fantech fans? I'm intrigued by their remote fan set up.

http://residential.fantech.net/residential-products/bath/

Fantec stuff is nice. I ended up using a Solatube tubular skylight with a remote fan, which is similar in that the fan is remoted away from the room. If, like my bathroom, you don't have a window, it makes a huge difference in the room. The skylight reflects the equivalent of a 300W light into the room, and even on a moonlit night, provides enough light to see where you're going. Highly recommended.