Easily install bathroom fan yourself

Joris Smeur
25-02-2026
Installation & maintenance

How do I install a bathroom fan?

When you buy a bathroom extractor fan, you want to be able to use it as soon as possible. The quickest way to do that is to install it yourself, of course. But how do you actually do that? In the step-by-step plan below, we explain the process clearly and straightforwardly. We also have an instructional video that you can watch below! In the step-by-step plan below, we also explain how to install bathroom ventilation with timer and humidity sensor.

Preparing for installation

Decide in advance where you wish to place the fan. Take into account the different zones in the bathroom, the thickness of the wall, blowing possibilities to the outside, the length of the duct to the outside and the diameter of the (existing) pipe.

Maximum length of duct connection

A bathroom fan is great for blowing air out over a short distance, this can be done through a fixed duct, tube or flexible hose. The maximum recommended length of a tube is 1 metre when there are bends in the duct, and up to 1.5 metres for straight air ducts. The reason for this is that otherwise the fan does not have enough power to push/push the air outwards. Our advice is therefore, if possible, to fit a bathroom fan with a larger connection diameter such as 125mm or 150mm. If this is not possible, you may be better off buying a duct fan and installing it in the air duct or connecting the air duct to a mechanical ventilation box.

Where do I place ventilation in the bathroom?

The best positions in your bathroom for installing a bathroom fan are in Zone 2, but Zone 3 is not far behind, so it is certainly also very good for installing a fan. For safety reasons, bathroom fans in a bathroom or wet room should not simply be mounted in Zone 1 because of the risk of water damage and associated corseting. In the unlikely event you do have to place the fan in Zone 1, you have two options, installing a fan with a transformer (not every fan is suitable for this) or another type of fan higher up the duct, such as a tube fan, pipe fan or mechanical ventilation.

Download hier het stappenplan in PDF formaat

Four general assembly and installation tips when installing a fan

When installing a new fan (not a replacement), first assess whether there is enough space to fit a fan. Take into account the length, width, height and depth of the fan, as well as any pipe and electrical connections and, in the case of a heat exchanger, the condensate drain.

When replacing a product, it is important to know beforehand what the properties of the old product to be replaced are. Why? So that after purchase you always have a product that fits your current connections. This includes connection diameters, but also the electrical connection (perilex, rim earth or euro plug).

Most manufacturers send an (installation) manual with the product. However, we recommend reading the installation manual before purchase to clear up any questions or to prepare for installation. We have included (installation) manuals and/or brochures with 99% of all fans. These are .pdf files and can be downloaded directly from our website. These files can be found on the product pages under the heading "documents". If you prefer to watch a product video, please click here.

Finally, and most important point in assembly is safety. Mounting a fan safely, with safe products, in a safe environment. Here are the three most important points; • Voordat je begint met eventuele elektrische aansluitingen schakel de stroom/elektriciteit uit • Dien je de ventilator op hoogte te monteren? Gebruik dan een steiger of stevige trap, zorg hierbij altijd voor een vlakke, niet gladde ondergrond • Werk met gecertificeerd/goed werkend gereedschap

Also see: