Bathroom Vent Fan - NuTone vs. Panasonic

[CarlH]

I'm looking into replacing my current NuTone/Mercury C350 with a unit that is quieter and moves more air. My bathroom is approximately 60 sq. ft. I was looking at the 80 and 110 CFM models, but given the relatively small price difference I am leaning toward a 110 CFM unit. The models I am looking at are the NuTone QTXEN and the Panasonic FV-11Q3. I am leaning toward the Panasonic since it is a bit cheaper and will give me a chance to check out the mounting options. I have another bathroom where I want to replace the fan, but I do not have access above the ceiling. I guess I have pretty much made up my mind to get the Panasonic. Is there any reason to pick the NuTone over the Panasonic other than being an U.S. company?

[rdtompki]

Anyone want to put money on the Nutone being manufactured in the USA? I've installed two Panasonics, one an 80 cfm in a small bathroom and another 250 cfm remote unit in a large bathroom. Both are quiet although you can definitely hear the large unit move air. Panasonics get a lot of favorable press on this and other forums.

Rick

[jadnashua]

Had you given thought to a remote motor and two inlets, one in each bathroom? Fantec and others make these. The Panasonics are nice. Having the motor remote is quieter.

If either of these bathrooms are on the top floor, had you considered a tubular skylight with the fan kit? I've got one by www.solatube.com that works very well, and has a remote motor and the light kit. On a snowy night, the reflections cast a glow in the room (no windows), or a full moon is enough to find the toilet without turning on the lights. in full daylight, it is the equivalent of a 300W incandescent light bulb...really neat.

[Klutzy]

If either of these bathrooms are on the top floor, had you considered a tubular skylight with the fan kit? I've got one by www.solatube.com that works very well, and has a remote motor and the light kit. On a snowy night, the reflections cast a glow in the room (no windows), or a full moon is enough to find the toilet without turning on the lights. in full daylight, it is the equivalent of a 300W incandescent light bulb...really neat.

Gee this sounds like a lovely alternative to one little window in the 9x5 closet space I'm converting to a bathroom! I'm in central New England too. Does the Solatube cause heat and/or cold problems in summer or winter? Seems like an awful lot of heat would escape out the glass top of the tube. There is approx 1' of attic space between the ceiling and roof. The remodel is happening right now so I have to decide fast if I want to have a Solatube and fan instead of a window and fan. Thanks for any advice.

[jadnashua]

The air shaft is sealed, there should be little heat loss in the tube itself. As to the vent, insulate the pipe and make sure the damper is installed properly. I've not noticed any cold air escaping in the winter, nor do I see any snow melting on the roof around the light tube collector or the exhaust (note, I don't use the fan much in the winter, but do in the summer - I figure the humidifer won't have to run as much).

[Klutzy]

Solatube
So you don't notice a cold draft or anything like that? Great! I was not happy about the window because it's on the short, only exterior, wall, which faces west, and the far end of the room will be quite dark much of the day. I can position the Solatube directly over the sink and be able to see myself in the mirror in the early morning. Wait...maybe that's not such a good thing after all!

[glnow]

Had you given thought to a remote motor and two inlets, one in each bathroom? Fantec and others make these.

What are the pro/cons of this configuration? I have to add fans to two bathrooms in a single story home that are reasonably close together. The bathrooms are separated by one room, and are both about the same size. At first I was planning on adding a Panasonic fan to each bathroom, each having their own separate roof vent. But this idea of the remote fan with two inlets (& only having to add one roof vent) is intriguing.

[jadnashua]

The Panasonic fans are quality units, nice and quiet and reliable. Fantec makes some quality remote fan systems that can ventilate multiple rooms. The biggest advantage, as I see it, is one fan motor that is remote, so even quieter than the Panasonic units. You'd want to use a switch that had either a timer, humidistat, or a lamp to remind you that it was on, otherwise, you probably couldn't tell. Then, as you noted, there's only one outlet required through the roof or end wall. The disadvantage is when on, it will be exhausting conditioned air from both bathrooms, when you may only need one. They may have a motorized damper system that would separate the two rooms, but I haven't looked into the specific details. Wiring is a little more difficult since you are essentially doing a 3-way (as far as I know), so it can be turned on or off from either room. Might be a pain if someone turned it off in the other room when you wanted it on! Don't quote me on the control...it might be more sophisticated than that and be something like a wired OR circuit, and not a typical 3-way.

[johnfrwhipple]

I was at a trade show in Vancouver this week (Presenting for the NKBA on Steam Showers) and took in the show after my session. I found out that my favourite fan has a new twist available. The Panasonic Whisper Quiet is coming out with a sleek LED light option.

Not a cheese ball looking grill but nice style with a square light. The glass is diffused and the light gives off a great glow. Perfect for day by day use or a nightlight.

I'm looking into converting this into a RGB colour changing option but have to wait till the fan lands in my hands.

Here is a peak at the new Panasonic LED Fan.

[CarlH]

Anyone want to put money on the Nutone being manufactured in the USA?

I was careful in the way that I phrased that. I just said they were a U.S company. Being not entirely sure, I just went and checked to see if my assumption was correct and the ownership trail still ends with a U.S. based company. Also, I checked a few online auctions Broan and Nutone that had pictures of the boxes and such and found that it does appear that they are still made here. One actually had a picture of the motor ID plate and it indicated that it was made here, which I was surprised to see. It is a bit moot at this point since I think I will go ahead with the Panasonic fan.

Had you given thought to a remote motor and two inlets, one in each bathroom? Fantec and others make these. The Panasonics are nice. Having the motor remote is quieter.

I did not consider this. I already upgraded the other bathroom on this floor with a Broan S110LU and I have no complaints with this unit. It is much quieter than the economy builder grade fan that it replaced and moves plenty of air. I have had this one in for a while but did not realize the difference that it made until I had to shower in that bath since mine was not available due to maintenance. The two fans that are next on the list are on separate floors. It is the half bath on the main floor that will be difficult to upgrade due to lack of access from above the ceiling. I'll save that till after I upgrade the 2nd upstairs bath.

If either of these bathrooms are on the top floor, had you considered a tubular skylight with the fan kit? I've got one by www.solatube.com that works very well, and has a remote motor and the light kit. On a snowy night, the reflections cast a glow in the room (no windows), or a full moon is enough to find the toilet without turning on the lights. in full daylight, it is the equivalent of a 300W incandescent light bulb...really neat.

I like those skylights, but I really don't need it. Both of the top floor baths have windows.

Thanks for the feedback. I'll go with the Panasonic unit. I just had to ask since I knew nothing about the Panasonic fans.

[CarlH]

Thanks for the feedback. I got the Panasonic fan and it has been in for a couple weeks now. The increase in airflow has made a significant improvement on moisture build up when taking a shower. I should have changed out the old fan 10 years ago.

[jimbo]

Thanks for the feedback on your project.

I definitely agree with your decision to go with more CFM. By any industry standard calculation, the 80 CFM would provide more than the minimum recommended air changes per hour. But I always opt for more CFM and find it makes a big difference.

[hawkman]

I noticed that the housing on most of the panasonic bath fans are 7 7/8 deep.. that doesn't leave room to put down an attic floor, uh? The joist in the attic is a 2x8 which is really 2x7 and some change. Are my assumptions correct?

[eolafan]

Anyone want to put money on the Nutone being manufactured in the USA? I've installed two Panasonics, one an 80 cfm in a small bathroom and another 250 cfm remote unit in a large bathroom. Both are quiet although you can definitely hear the large unit move air. Panasonics get a lot of favorable press on this and other forums.

Rick

NuTone Ultra Silent fans are made in Hartford, Wisconsin and Panasonic fans (all of them) are made in China...support US workers and products!!!!

[SeattleSoxFan]

This looks like an old thread resurrected and the conversation is mostly moot, but as a general rule of thumb you don't want to oversize the fan any more than you need to. It's like a furnace or anything. Properly sized is more efficient and more isn't always better.

The "standard" formula I've seen is to replace the air 8 times/hour. You have 60sf * 8'? That's 480cf to change 8 times / 60 minutes = 64 cfm fan. I would have suggested the 80 unless you have a heat exchanger or enjoy high utility bills

You also might need to enlarge the gap at the bottom of the bathroom door or you'll just be taxing the fan and making it die (and warble miserably) sooner trying to pull 80cfm through the usual 1" gap (< 0.25sf) under the door!

Size it right and use a timer switch on the fan... My 0.02.

Or, let it die sooner and buy another American made fan probably filled with Chinese parts.