Your bathroom requires adequate ventilation to get rid of foul odors. Although it is recommended that you use a window for ventilation, it might not give the best results. That’s why you need to install a fan for this task.
A bathroom exhaust fan protects the walls, framing and cabinets from mildew and rot. It also improves air quality.
When installing a new bathroom exhaust fan, it’s always easier if you have access to the attic. But it’s always not the case. The good news is that although it’s easier to install the fan if you have access to the attic, it’s not the only way.
So, if you don’t have attic space, how do you install the fan?
In this guide, we’ll give you all the information you need to help you install a bathroom fan without attic access.
Preparations to Install the Fan
- Get the Right Fan
To install the bathroom fan without attic access depends on the extractor you’ll use. Remember that fan power is determined in cubic feet per minute(CFM), which in simple terms is the amount of air it can process.
You also need to know the size of your bathroom to figure out the amount of CMFs it requires. After getting the CMF, you’ll be able to get the right fan.
Your budget will determine the fan you’ll end up with. When going for one, you also need to consider options (lights and heaters) that improve the usefulness of the extractor you wish to purchase.
Should you decide to get a fan with a heater or lights, the installation process will become expensive. This is because you’ll have to consider the cost of the additional wiring of these accessories.
If you want an energy-efficient bathroom exhaust fan, you can opt for a bathroom fan that comes with a humidity sensor. The fan will monitor the humidity level of your bathroom and only turn it on when needed, hence save on energy.
- Take Measurements
When installing a fan without attic access, you need to consider the size available for the extractor. To get the correct size, you need to remove the fan’s housing and measure it. Getting the correct measurements will enable you to make the hole where you’ll place it.
The Installation Process
- Adjust the space for Installation
As aforementioned, after getting the fan, the next step is preparing the hole where you’ll mount it. It should rest on a beam for you to be able to screw it. If you don’t have the beam, you have to install one first and then continue with the process.
Now that you have the support required for your fan, the next step is to verify whether the fan comes with the correct dimensions. If it’s larger than the hole, it’ll be easier to install since all you need to do is cut out some parts of the wall so that it fits properly.
If it’s smaller than the available space, you need to fill in the excess by using filler materials like plaster or foam. After adjusting the space, mount the fan.
- Prepare the Cables
After solving the space problem, it’s time to prepare the cables for installation. Most bathroom fans come with a lamp. You can use the wires that light the lamp to run the fan, a feature that makes the device more practical.
If you don’t want to use the same switch for both devices, you have to install a different box that will allow you to divide the connections. This will enable you to have a dedicated cable for the fan only.
If you don’t have electricity in your bathroom, you’ll have to install an electric line that reaches the main switchboard of your house. Otherwise, the fan will be useless.
- Fit the Duct Connector
Now that you have the fan in place. It’s time to connect it to the ventilation duct. A duct connector connects the ducts to the new bathroom exhaust fan. It has dampers/louvres that close when the fan is not in use. Ensure that the flaps face downwards when installing them.
Take a foil tape and connect the duct connector to the duct in the ceiling. Ensure that the housing points in the direction of the ducts. Make sure that the duct connector is fully secured to the edge of the ceiling hole.
- Make the Electrical Connection
When installing a bathroom fan without attic access, the most important thing to know is to incorporate the wiring into the system. The wires should be located in an electrical box in the housing.
Remove the cover of the fan’s housing, get a screwdriver and remove the knockout plug. Fasten the cable plug and then pull the wires coming from the house through the clamp.
Tighten the screws of the clamp with a screwdriver and then connect the fan wires to your house wires using quick connectors or wire nuts.
Ensure that you match the wires correctly. Green wires should connect to other green wires or bare copper wires. Connect white wires (neutral wires) to other white wires.
Black wires are hot wires and should only connect to other black wires.
After connecting the wires successfully, push them inside your fan’s housing. Once in, screw shut the wiring cover and insert your fan into the ceiling hole.
Ensure that you properly line the exhaust with the duct connector.
To avoid future problems, adhere everything to a column/ wooden beam or plaster wall if you lack an alternative.
Make the Final Test
After you’ve fully installed the new bathroom exhaust fan, you need to turn the power back to find whether it works as intended.
If the fan is quiet, you might fail to hear it at first. Turn off any noise in the house and listen carefully. If you hear it running, it means that you’ve successfully installed your bathroom fan. If it’s not, check the wiring.
The last thing to do is attaching the protective grid to the space to avoid accidents. Squeeze the springs into the slots and shove the cover to the fan, a process that might require a little force.
If the installation process was a little rusty and damaged the surroundings, touch up the damaged areas with paint and masonry paste.