Your Exhaust Fans Might Be Causing Heat Loss

Homes are built with exhaust fans to move unwanted particles and moisture out of the home.

In the bathroom, an exhaust fan draws warm, moist, humid air out of the room while you’re bathing or taking a shower. Without this action, moisture lingers, which can cause condensation to form, eventually turning to mold or mildew.

In the kitchen, an exhaust fan is invaluable if you want to release a plume of smoke from your cooking, or moisture from a boiling pot of water. It can help moisture and oils from settling in on your counters and cupboards, as well as clear out cooking smells. It can even release warm air buildup in the summer months, helping your air conditioner do a better job at keeping your main living area cool.

Is your exhaust fan up for the job?

Or is your exhaust fan causing bigger problems than you realize? Is it contributing to heat loss, making your house more inefficient every time your HVAC system turns on?

Exhaust fans are an integral part of a home ventilation system. They remove unwanted particles and moisture from inside the home. Every time you use an exhaust fan, it’s a one way system sending the unwanted contaminants to the outside. However, if they aren’t working the way they should, it can allow weather to creep inside your home instead of pushing it away. That causes heat loss, and an inefficient system.

When was the last time you thought about your exhaust fan? When is the last time you performed maintenance, or even replaced an old one?

A standard exhaust fan installed inside your home back when it was constructed might not be working as well as it should. How can you prevent heat loss?

Start by insulating exhaust pipes that feed through your attic to the outside. Depending on age, they might not be properly insulated. And over time, this insulation can degrade and fall away.

Ensure your exhaust fans have a backdraft damper installed as each exits your home. These exhaust exits are either located on an exterior wall, or out through the roof.

Check these exits on a regular basis. Over time, they can break, especially after a heavy storm.

Pay attention to cold spots. If you feel cool near an exhaust fan, it’s time to bring in a professional. A technician can fully evaluate your HVAC system, find weak spots in the ventilation system, and make corrections as needed.

It’s a great way to ensure your entire HVAC system is operating the way it should.