Is a Noisy Bathroom Fan Dangerous

A noisy bathroom fan may seem normal to some people, but it definitely is not. If this is left to develop, it could cause further issues. But what makes a bathroom fan turn noisy? Are they supposed to be silent?

In this blog, we will answer the question ‘Is a noisy bathroom fan dangerous?’

With new buildings being made to be as energy efficient as possible, and the UK aiming for 95% of its electricity usage to be low carbon by 2030, it is imperative to understand how we can make the most of our ventilation. This is where applications such as extractor fans and heat recovery ventilation units come in.

To prevent mould, fresh air should constantly be introduced into your dwelling daily, as it helps to regulate temperature and reduce condensation. Introducing fresh air can be as simple as having a ventilation routine, or installing extractors or MVHR units. Almost all of this is facilitated by ducting.

Does a bathroom extractor fan need to vent outside?

Yes. Outside is the only place an extractor fan should vent towards. Housing the extracted humidity and smells within the ducting to another area serves no purpose and reduces the effectiveness of the ventilation entirely.

Do I have to use an extractor fan for ventilation?

In most occasions, yes, you would have to use an extractor fan for ventilation. However, this process can be sped up by simply opening a window whilst using the extractor fan. This allows any steam that forms to leave instantly, with the residual steam/humidity being extracted by the extractor fan.

Why do we need ventilation?

Ventilation is a necessity to prevent mould from forming. Mould is a form of fungus which thrives in humid environments. It usually forms in bathrooms as a result of untreated condensation, or structural or pipe leaks that have seeped into the bathroom.

Mould can be prevented by the ventilating. If you neglect this, mould can form and spread quite quickly. The resulting mould leaves a pungent smell and horrific stain-like appearance on the surface it has formed on.

In terms of you, mould can directly affect you negatively. It can make existing health issues worse, it can cause new health issues, and much more.

Mould can be removed by using mould surface cleaners. However, it will return if the source of the mould is not addressed, whether this be a leaking pipe or poor ventilation routines.

Is a noisy bathroom fan dangerous?

Depending on why it is noisy, yes. A noisy bathroom fan can be dangerous. A noisy bathroom fan can be an indication of a few things, all of which would need resolving immediately. These are…

The fan and other parts within the extractor have become worn out or loose.
There is a blockage causing the extractor to work incorrectly, resulting in noise.
The extractor fan may be using more power than it requires.
There may be debris in the ducting itself which is hitting against the extractor fan.
The extractor fan is too old.

The dangers that can occur as a result of a noisy bathroom fan (depending on what is causing the noise) can result in the following…

Electrical shocks.
Damage from debris.
Excessive dust and dirt that is causing the blockage can make you ill.
The bathroom fan working at a lesser efficiency, resulting in humidity and mould to develop easily.

How long can you use a noisy bathroom fan for?

If there is a noticeable difference in the noise output in your extractor fan from when it was first installed, you should contact the manufacturer immediately to get it seen to. As the noise may be an indication of something more serious, you don’t want to wait around and increase the risk of mould developing in the home.

How loud is a new bathroom extractor fan?

If installed correctly, a new bathroom 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.

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.

Can cleaning an extractor fan stop its noise?

If your bathroom extractor fan is noisy because of a build-up of debris and/or dust, then yes. Cleaning the bathroom extractor fan can contribute to reducing the noise it is emitting.

Cleaning a bathroom extractor fan is relatively simple, all you need is…

A vacuum cleaner with a long hose
A cloth/cleaning product
A stool to stand on (depending on the location of the fan).
Gloves and a mask.

After putting your gloves and mask on, turn the extractor off from its main switch, so no electricity is running through it.
Approach the extractor fan and remove the casing that is covering the ducting.
Clean the casing, and the outer exposed ducting, with your cloth and cleaning product. (Optional).
Turn your vacuum cleaner on and use the hose to remove dust from the ducting area. Do this gently to avoid any damage to the ducting/fan itself.
You can clean this area by hand if vacuum removal isn’t moving anything.
Once completed, re-attach the cover of the extractor, and turn it back on again to see if the cleaning has helped.

If you followed all of these steps and the extractor fan is still making noise, you should consider contacting a professional immediately.

Can I use a dehumidifier instead of an extractor fan?

Yes. A dehumidifier does not work in the same way as an extractor fan. Dehumidifiers, although they can remove humidity, they work at a lesser rate than an extractor fan, which are purposely built to remove humidity in poorly ventilated bathrooms.

Can mould grow on extractor fans?

Yes. Mould has the potential to grow in, on, or around extractor fans. However, this can only happen for very specific reasons.

As we are aware, mould should be less of a worry if you have an extractor fan, so what can cause it to grow on them? Here are the common causes that make this happen…

The ducting is compromised via a tear.

The area housing the ducting and fan is developing mould due to outside leaks or leaks coming through the internal structure.

Mould has been left to develop in the bathroom without opening the window in addition to using the fan.

The fan has not been in use for an extended period, but humidity is still occurring regularly.

Please understand that extractor fans are a tool used to prevent the occurrence of mould. If your ventilation practice is not enough, or some leaks are beyond your control, mould can still appear.

Purchase a bathroom extractor fan today

At I-Sells, all things ventilation and ducting related is our speciality, we are here to answer the questions we know are common for those new to HVAC and what it encompasses.

We at I-Sells endeavour to ensure our customers have all the information they require before investing in our mould solutions. Be sure to visit our blog page to learn about the vast array of factors and issues surrounding ventilation, mould, condensation, and much more.

This blog aims to have answered the question ‘Is a noisy bathroom extractor fan dangerous?’ Whilst providing supplementary information that relates to all things ventilation.

We understand you may have more questions, do not hesitate to contact us for more information about whatever you need our help with. If you’d like to email us, click here. For other contact options, see below:

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