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How Does a Ductless Bathroom Fan Work?

Are you in the process of renovating your bathroom and want to install a fan, but you don’t know if you should choose a ducted or a ductless fan? We would recommend that you choose a ductless bathroom fan. In this article, we’re going to walk you through an explanation of how a ductless fan works and why you should choose a ductless fan for your bathroom.

We will also walk you through the advantages and disadvantages of ductless bathroom fans, whether they remove moisture, and which option is better when comparing ducted and ductless bathroom fans. Finally, we will answer the question of what bathroom size works best with a ductless exhaust fan.

Let’s take a closer look. 

How Does a Ductless Bathroom Fan Work?

Broan-NuTone Nutone 682NT Duct-Free Bathroom Ventilation Fan

Ductless fans have what is called a charcoal filter system. The filtration system simply gets rid of foul odors and moisture from a bathroom. In other words, it provides your bathroom with adequate ventilation without using a lot of energy.

These types of fans are perfect if you live in a rented apartment or house, and you cannot install an exhaust line that is connected to the outside of the building.

Are Ductless Bathroom Fans Any Good?

Yes, ductless bathroom fans do a great job removing moisture and disgusting smells from a bathroom. One of the best features of a ductless fan is that they do not make a lot of noise, unlike a ducted fan, and they are one of the more energy-efficient fans available in the market.

They make sure that the air inside your bathroom constantly circulates, which prevents mold and fungus from growing inside your bathroom, thus preventing the wood or tile in your bathroom from getting damaged.

Advantages & Disadvantages of Ductless Bathroom Fans

Even though we’ve talked a little bit about how ductless fans are a great option if you don’t have space or cannot install a ducted fan, you might still be on the fence about whether or not you should install a ductless fan or not. To help make that decision, we’ve broken down the advantages and disadvantages of ductless bathroom fans. 

Advantages: 

Ductless fans are quiet

While noise levels might not bother some of you, there might be others out there who prefer to install appliances in their homes that make little to no noise. In this case, a ductless bathroom fan makes very little noise compared to exhaust fans. If you enjoy showering or cleaning your bathroom without a noisy fan in the background, then we would recommend investing in a ductless fan. 

They are cheaper than ducted bathroom fans. 

Another excellent feature of ductless window fans is that they cost much less than the average exhaust fan. The average ducted fan can cost anywhere from $75 to $100, while the average price for a ductless fan starts at around $30 and tends to cost less than $60. 

If you’re on a budget and lack the space and resources to install a ducted bathroom fan, then a ductless fan is the way to go. 

Ductless fans are much more energy-efficient 

If you are concerned about how much energy your home uses daily, then you’re in luck when it comes to a ductless bathroom fan. These fans tend to use much less energy than the average bathroom fan. This is because inverters drive the fan’s compressors. 

Ductless bathroom fans can be used in other rooms. 

One of the best things about a ductless fan is its versatility. You can install one in any room, like a kitchen or laundry room, where air needs to be circulated. It works just as well and can help remove moisture more easily. 

Disadvantages

Ductless bathroom fans cannot prevent mold. 

Unfortunately, while ductless fans remove moisture from bathrooms, they cannot ensure that mold or mildew will not grow on various surfaces in your bathroom. 

Installing a ductless bathroom fan is challenging. 

If your bathroom doesn’t have an unused electrical outlet, you will need to hire an electrician to create a new one to install the fan quickly. As a result, you might end up spending more money than you had initially anticipated. 

Do Ductless Bathroom Fans Remove Moisture?

Do Ductless Bathroom Fans Remove Moisture

Yes, ductless bathroom fans remove moisture from the bathroom. When the air inside the bathroom becomes moist, the air then gets passed through a specific filter in the fan. This filter collects moisture from the air and therefore controls the amount of humidity in the bathroom. 

As a result, your bathroom dries much more quickly without a lot of dampness in the air and stays fresh much longer. Since the ductless bathroom fan removes a lot of moisture, it also helps the furniture in your bathroom last longer.

Ducted vs. Ductless Exhaust Fans: Which is Better?

Ducted vs. Ductless Exhaust Fans:

The answer to this question truly depends on what your needs are. If you already have a vent in your bathroom that allows air to go outside, then a ducted fan is your best bet. However, if you live in a rented home or you simply don’t have the space to install a ducted fan, a ductless bathroom fan works fine.

Ductless fans are generally much easier to install in a bathroom and do a great job removing large amounts of moisture and humidity from the air.

What size bathroom is a ductless exhaust fan designed for?

Ductless exhaust fans are generally designed for smaller bathrooms that are usually between 40 and 50 square feet. Smaller bathrooms tend to dry more slowly while remaining humid and trapping moisture for longer.

 Wrapping Up

In this article, we took you through an explanation of all things ductless bathroom fan! From walking you through the different advantages and disadvantages of installing one to explaining how ducted and ductless fans differ from one another.

Choosing a form of ventilation for a bathroom can be tricky, especially because you want to ensure that you’re selecting the correct type of fan to keep your bathroom dry as often as possible. If you don’t have enough space or you’re on a budget, then a ductless bathroom fan is the way to go.