Do Ventilation Fans Use a Lot of Electricity

This is subject to the type of ventilation being used. Cooker hoods generally use the most energy due to the power of extraction they have. That being said, most modern ventilation units use a few pounds worth of electricity on a yearly basis!

This presents great value for money, this holds true when you consider the fact that most modern ventilation systems can work automatically, or be used constantly.

Furthermore, when you consider the cost of living crisis, and the rise in energy bills, every little saving counts. This is why ventilation that runs extremely cheaply is absolutely paramount for your wallet and the air in your home.

In industrial environments, ventilation units will typically use a lot more electricity, this is because the size of the ventilation fan requires more power, due to it having to ventilate a larger space.

Is it cheaper to ventilate naturally instead?

Surprisingly, the answer is no in most cases. Although ventilating naturally by opening your windows is completely free, the time you do it, the length of time you leave it open for, and the weather all contribute to whether it will be cheaper or not.

If you leave your windows open for too long, especially on a cold day, it would be difficult for the home or building to naturally heat up again, unless it is in direct sunlight. If you aren’t careful, you may have windows open for too long, which would require the use of heating to get the building back to a comfortable temperature.

As a result of this, you could incur heftier energy bills as a result of the heating being used after naturally ventilating. In order to use your ventilation units less, be sure to open a window in the area briefly to assist the function of the ventilation unit.

For units that can operate automatically like an extractor fan, once a certain level of humidity isn’t present, the unit will stop functioning until it detects humidity again. Opening a window during this process will shorten the time taken for the ventilation unit to do its job. Just remember not to leave it open, especially if it’s cold!

Are there ways to remove humidity without ventilation or electricity?

Yes, but not to a massively effective degree. There are dehumidifiers available that do not require electricity. Humidity collects within the contraption, over time, the material that absorbs the humidity will be surrounded by water.

Though, this is only really effective for rooms or areas that don’t have excessive humidity in them. For rooms with excessive humidity (where you will likely also find mould) it is better to invest in ventilation units such as extractor fans, and use mould removal products if there is already mould in the area.

Are extractor fans loud?

If installed correctly, a new extractor fan shouldn’t be so loud that you can hear it in every corner of the home, but it should have a somewhat quiet hum that can be heard within its vicinity. New extractor fans are extremely quiet, but not silent. Most modern units are as loud as a whisper. Although, the acoustics of a home and the rooms can contribute to this.

Strong winds blowing into the ducting can result in the extractor fan operating louder than normal, however this generally resolves itself once the wind has calmed down.

If your extractor fan is too loud, this could be an indication of a hardware fault, incorrect installation, or debris within the ducting/unit. Sometimes, debris can be lodged between the fan, which can create a loud chainsaw-like noise which can be extremely loud and unpleasant.

In any instance, contact an expert to rectify the issue immediately.

Do old ventilation fans use more electricity?