Easily install bathroom fan yourself
How do I install a bathroom fan?
When you buy a bathroom fan, you obviously 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 in a simple step-by-step manner the best way to do so. 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.
Bathroom fan installation supplies
To install your fan, you will need the following items:
- Fittings screwdriver
- Phillips screwdriver
- Cutting or stripping tool (optional)
- Spirit level (optional)
- Power drill (optional)
- Pencil (optional)
Step-by-step bathroom fan installation
Now that you have gathered all the essentials, you can proceed to the placement and installation of the bathroom fan.
- STEP 1: Turn off the electricity (main switch in the meter box) to avoid accidents.
- STEP 2: Then remove the fan cover
- STEP 3: Mount the bathroom fan in the desired location. This is best done by marking the desired spot in advance with a pencil and drilling holes. Using a spirit level, make sure the bathroom fan hangs exactly straight.
- STEP 4: After this, the power wires can be connected. Depending on the bathroom fan model, a so-called switching wire should also be connected (for models equipped with a timer or humidity sensor).
- STEP 5: Insert the wires through the hole in the fan and, if necessary, cut to the correct length with the cutting or stripping pliers.
- STEP 6: The 0 wire is the blue wire, which should be connected to the N of the fan connector. The phase wire, the brown wire, is connected to the L of the fan connector. For models with a timer and/or humidity sensor, the switch wire (grey or black wire) is connected to the S.
- STEP 7: Make sure the screws are tightened securely with the fitting screwdriver so that the wires are securely fastened and cannot become loose.
- STEP 8: If the fan has a timer then this must be set. Switching on the lag time is done by turning the potentiometer. The time can range from 30 seconds (far left) to 30 minutes (far right), depending on the fan model.
- STEP 9: If the fan has a humidity sensor then it is adjusted next. It is important to adjust the potentiometer properly for optimal results, but be careful! For this, you need to turn on the power and therefore be very careful when installing. Start with a full turn to the left, so that the fan starts spinning. Then a full turn to the right and wait until the fan stops spinning. After this, slowly adjust to the left until the fan turns on again and turn 2 bars to the right from that point.
- STEP 10: Place the cap and cover on the fan and then you have successfully installed your own bathroom fan!
Conclusion and tips
- A bathroom fan is easy to install yourself
- Use our installation videos and product specifications
- Before purchasing, check out our "Bathroom fan selection guide" or let us inform you about it
- For your safety, the power should be switched off when electrically connected
- If installed in Zone 1, a bathroom fan with transformer operating at 12V must be fitted
Four general assembly and installation tips when installing a fan
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