Phil Hazelton from electrical accessories supplier GreenBrook outlines the advantages of installing the right extractor fans.
In today's housing market, the simple, inexpensive aspects of a property can make it more attractive to a potential buyer.

Installing efficient extractor fans is a simple measure to enhance living conditions, reduce wear and tear, and even offer health benefits.

Poor ventilation of kitchens and bathrooms is unpleasant to live with, damages the fabric of the building and can affect health.






In Britain, humidity ranges from 50% in the south-east to 80% across western Britain, making effective ventilation an important issue for every home.

Even the best insulated and draught-proofed homes are at risk of condensation because, with no means of escape, water vapour will find cool surfaces on which to condense. And double-glazing compounds the issue.

Unlike opening a window, an extractor fan will freshen the air in a room without creating a draught. Unwanted heat, humidity and odours are removed, which also prevents them from spreading to adjacent rooms.

Axial units

Suitable for bathroom, en suite and cloakroom applications, 100mm axial units can be wall- or ceiling-mounted and are suitable for installations through walls or with ducting of up to 2m.

Where fans need to be located within 0.6m of a bath or a shower, a safety extra-low voltage (SELV) model conforms to the relevant IEE wiring regulations. For safety, these should be fitted with a 12V controller. Alternatively, an in-line ceiling-mounted fan can be fitted where a conventional fan might be considered dangerous in the bathroom.

Greater movement

For kitchens and larger bathrooms, 150mm axial units work in exactly the same way but are capable of much greater air movement and are therefore more effective for the strong odours and airborne oil or grease produced during cooking.

The most immediately noticeable maintenance issue created by a lack of ventilation in kitchens and bathrooms is damage to the decorative finishes.

Damage is not confined to the kitchen or bathroom if the humidity, warm air or airborne oil and grease are left to circulate around other areas of the home.

Painted surfaces blister, crack or peel, while wall-papered surfaces will become damp, causing the paper to bubble or peel.

If airborne oil and grease is not extracted from a kitchen, it settles as a film, which attracts other airborne particles. The result can be a yellowing of ceiling areas and grubbiness across finishes and fittings.

The damage can be more than just cosmetic as condensation can instigate or accelerate problems with damp, leading to problems such as wood rot. Such problems are both expensive and disruptive to repair.

Mildew and mould growth are also common problems caused by a lack of ventilation. A bathroom that is continually damp and humid is the ideal breeding ground for mildew spores, and although this can be cleaned from bathroom fittings, its effect on bathroom sealant can be more serious. If spores are allowed to eat away at silicone sealants, water may begin to drip through to floorboards from showers and baths and, over time, this slow seepage of water can prove a serious maintenance issue.

Beyond comfort and maintenance issues, are the health implications. Without effective ventilation, condensation, damp, mould and rot can also pose a health threat.

Installation of a SELV shower light extractor fan kit ensures an overhead light is switched on when the shower is used, improving safety.

The Building Regulations Document F requires an adequate means of ventilation should be provided in all residential properties. Fitting extractor fans, even in existing properties, is a fast, straightforward and low-cost task, with units available from around £25.