Do You Need a Hole in the Wall for an Extractor Fan?

Extractor fans play a key role in ventilating the home. Its function is to expel ‘bad’ air or fumes from a room, which boost the air quality and prevents the build-up of unpleasant smells. So vital are these appliances, that the global market for industrial ventilation fans is expected to be worth a staggering $2.2 billion by the year 2032!

In this article, we will explore the question ‘do you need a hole in the wall for an extractor fan?’ and outline our useful tips and recommendations on this topic.

What is an extractor fan?

An extractor fan is an appliance which filters out moisture-laden air from a room. This is particularly important as humidity is a key factor in the formation and spreading of mould in your home.

You will find extractor fans in kitchens, bathrooms and workshops. When we do tasks like cooking, using the bathroom, or construction work, this creates condensation, steam, moisture, humidity, odours and fumes. Even when we breathe, we release a lot of moisture in the air.

That is why extractor fans are needed to remove this moisture and bad smells from the air.

Excessive moisture makes for the perfect conditions for mould and mildew to grow. So, if you don’t have an extractor fan in your kitchen or bathroom, you may notice specks of black, brown or green growing around your ceilings, roof, windows, walls, tiles, floors, pipes, and upholstery.

Mould thrives in a wet, damp, moist environment, where there is poor ventilation. These nasty spores of fungus produce allergens that cause symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, and headaches. But mould can also worsen respiratory conditions like asthma if it is inhaled, as many types of mould can produce toxins that are harmful for human health.

Do You Need a Hole in the Wall for an Extractor Fan

There are different types of extractor fans available, for example, it could be:

wall-mounted
built into your kitchen cabinets
integrated on your ceiling
integrated into your kitchen hob
installed over your kitchen island, above your kitchen hob

Do you need an extractor fan in the kitchen?

Yes. Having an extractor fan in the kitchen will extract any residual humidity, preventing the consolidation of humidity, which creates the perfect environment for mould if left unattended.

Do you need an extractor fan over a gas hob?

Ideally, yes. An extractor fan over a gas hob will easily remove and ventilate the steam or smoke that will come from whatever food is being cooked or boiled over the hob. This type of extractor fan is also known as a cooker hood, which is made specifically for use over a hob.

Do you need an extractor fan with an induction hob?

Again, the answer is yes. Even though induction hobs don’t use a flame like a regular gas hob, the food being boiled or cooked on the hob will still produce steam and/or smoke, and will still need to be extracted with a cooker hood for optimum ventilation and humidity management.

Although cooker hoods will significantly improve humidity control in the kitchen, they are much louder and less energy efficient than an extractor fan, so it is advised to only use a cooker hood whilst cooking. Extractor fans will facilitate the removal of humid air in the kitchen at a fraction of the cost and sound too.

Where do you install an extractor fan?

Do You Need a Hole in the Wall for an Extractor Fan

A bathroom extractor fan should be installed as far away as possible from water sources. This means that it should be located high up on the wall, far away from taps, sinks, bathtubs and shower cubicles. The ideal place is above the bath or shower, so that it is as close as possible above the source of the steam.

A kitchen extractor fan will come with its own requirements for installation, but it should be placed very close to the source of steam in your kitchen. The appliance can be fitted above your hob, in the same area as the current oven vent, or it can be mounted to the wall, ceiling, or integrated into your kitchen island.

If you are not sure where to install an extractor fan, speak to an extractor fan supplier (such as us at I-Sells) or an electrician or plumber, to get the best advice from a trusted professional.

Do you need a hole in the wall for an extractor fan?

So, the big question is, do you need a hole in the wall for an extractor fan?

Yes, in most cases, you will need to drill a hole in the wall in order to install an extractor fan. This is required for ventilation extractor fans and cooker hoods in kitchens. You can do this by drilling a hole from the outside.

The hole should be around 100mm wide, or more. Make sure you leave sufficient height between the cooker outlet and where the hole goes– and to determine where the hole should go, bend the flexible pipe into a 90 degree angle first.

Always look at the manufacturer’s guide when you buy your extractor fan, as this will contain instructions on how and where to install it safely.

If you don’t feel comfortable drilling a hole in the wall for your extractor fan, then we urge you to hire a professional electrician, plumber or handyman instead.

Can I install an extractor fan myself?

Yes, you can install or replace an extractor fan yourself, if you have the skills necessary to disassemble the old one and fit the new one in.

However, if you don’t feel confident in doing the task yourself, then we would always recommend hiring an electrician or handyman to install the extractor fan for you. A qualified professional will have specialist knowledge and experience of electric work, so they will be able to carry out the installation safely and effectively.

Where can I buy an extractor fan?

Do You Need a Hole in the Wall for an Extractor Fan

Here at I-Sells, we offer a wide range of Kitchen Extractor Fans and Bathroom Extractor Fans.

We only sell extractor fans of the highest quality, with high extraction rates and low noise.

Do you need a low maintenance, cost-effective extractor fan? We have plenty for you to choose from, at affordable prices.

Or perhaps you are interested in an extractor fan with additional features such as:

Click here to browse our Kitchen Extractor Fans and Bathroom Extractor Fans.

Not sure what type of flexible ducting you need?

How do you keep an extractor fan clean?

Extractor fans require maintenance, to make them last longer and keep the air in your home clean and fresh.

Follow these handy tips below, to take good care of your extractor fan:

Do You Need a Hole in the Wall for an Extractor Fan

After cooking, always wipe down your hob and cooker hood and keep it clean. The grease and grime will accumulate mainly because of frying, spillages, and the condensation left over after boiling.
Consult the manufacturer’s guide of your extractor fans, to see if there are any instructions on how to clean them.
Before cleaning a bathroom extractor fan, turn off the main power to your bathroom, as this will keep you safe and prevent electrocution. You should never leave the power on when attempting to disassemble or clean anything electrical.
To clean a bathroom extractor fan, unscrew the fan cover and use a soft cloth (dipped in warm soapy water) to wipe of the build-up of dirt.
Then, carefully unplug the extractor fan and clean the blades and fan cover.
Next, vacuum the fan housing and vent cover on the outside of your house, if possible.
Following this, leave all the components to air dry fully, before carefully assembling it all back together.
Finally, turn the power back on and test the fan to see if it works: the sound should be a lot quieter now that the dirt has been cleaned.

Does an extractor fan use a lot of electricity?

That depends on the type of extractor fan, and how long you run it for every day. But extractor fans don’t use as much electricity as larger appliances do.

A basic, fan-only ventilation unit will only use as little as 6 watts, while a standard unit will use about 60 watts or more.

In comparison, this is the average watts of power needed to run other household electrical appliances:

a microwave needs between 600 and 1,500 watts.
an iron needs between 1,000 and 1,800 watts.
a hairdryer needs 1,000 watts.
a heated blanket needs between 130 and 200 watts.

Do You Need a Hole in the Wall for an Extractor Fan

About I-Sells

Established in 2005, I-Sells is the UK’s largest ducting and ventilation supplier.

I-Sells was co-founded by Ingrid Sells, who was aware as a youngster that her surname would suit the name of a shop one day!

With a vast range of products available online, I-Sells is a one-stop shop for all ventilation supplies. A family-run business, the company will help you find the parts you need- whether it is a commercial project or a small DIY project.

From plastic ducting and metal ducting, to extractor fans, flexible hoses and mould control tools, there are thousands of useful products available. The product range is constantly increasing to meet customers’ requirements and expectations.

We stock and offer next day delivery on thousands of our products, with free delivery on any order over £100.

The expert team at I-Sells can provide expert advice about the products and how they can be used to solve your problems or improve your home.

Most products help solve damp and condensation-related problems. I-Sells also has one of the largest selections of plastic and metal ducting available online.

In most cases, I-Sells can also manufacture a custom-dimension product for you- contact the company for more information.

To find out more about I-Sells, visit the company website here, or email [email protected]. Alternatively, call us on 020 8463 9696.

To visit us at our showroom:

*OPENING TIMES*

Monday – Friday: 8:00 am to 5:30 pm

Saturday: 9:00 am to 12:00 pm

Sunday: Closed

15 St John’s Parade

Sidcup, Kent

DA14 6ES, United Kingdom

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We hope we have answered the question ‘do you need a hole in the wall for an extractor fan?’