What to do if your Bath Ventilation Fan fails

What to do if your Bath Ventilation Fan fails

Bath Ventilation fans are a necessary component of any healthy bathroom. They keep the moisture to a minimum so that unhealthy mold and mildew do not form above the ceiling. People have been installing bath ventilation fans in bathrooms for decades but sometimes people don't know that when the motor fails, it is not necessary to replace the entire fan.

Bath Fans typically have several components which includes: the grille the housing of the fan motor, the motor itself, a blower that creates the airflow, and possibly a heating or lighting fixture too depending on your bath fan. Bath ventilation fan motors and parts are available and it is an easy do it yourself project even for someone who is challenged in the area of being handy. In our economy today, we know people are repairing what they own, not replacing it.

So how do you find out what parts you need to replace and how do you replace them?

Find the Manufacturer

First, you must determine the manufacturer of your particular bath ventilation fan. Is it a Broan or Nutone Bath Ventilation Fan? These two companies used to be separate companies but are now one and have had the majority of the market share of bath fans for decades. In fact, more than 80 percent of American homes have a Broan or NuTone fan installed. Their parts are not interchangeable so it's important you know whether the fan is Broan or Nutone. Don't make the mistake and buy parts for an XYZ Broan fan thinking it will fit an XYZ Nutone. By far these fans are the most popular brands. However, there are other brands such as Panasonic, Fantech, Air King, Luminance and others.

Find out which Fan Parts you need to replace

We have found the most common repair of bath fans is the replacement of the motor. People most often need what is called the fan motor assembly that includes the motor and the blower wheel. The housing the motor fits into and the grille are less often replaced since they are metal and last for years. However, if they are worn and you want to replace them, the parts are available both individually and as a kit that includes the grille, motor housing, and motor and blower wheel assembly.

To find the model number of your fan, remove the grille and the model number of the fan is usually stamped or on a sticker just behind the grille. Then the part number of the actual motor is also on the motor itself. Check the actual parts to determine the part number(s) you need to replace. This is where I want to give you a word of caution. Sometimes people think they need to replace only the motor but after replacing just the motor, the motor burns out because they actually needed a new blower wheel as well. We have found that the safest repair is to replace both the motor and blower wheel at the same time. As described, they come as one assembly (as seen below in the photo).

Search and buy your parts

Take your part numbers and search the web for a site that can provide you all the parts you need and the knowledge base for your do it yourself project. It's important you purchase your parts from someone with experience installing these fans and easy parts finders so you get the support you need for this project. It also helps to buy from someone who is an authorized dealer of the manufacturers products. CentralVacuumStores.com provides extensive parts finders for all Broan/ Nutone products, a do-it-yourself knowledge base and a toll free number for technical support.

Install your fan motor

Get your screwdriver and install the new fan motor/blower wheel. All you will need is a Phillips screwdriver. The repair is so simple. For Nutone fans, the grille is opened with just springs and then the motor/blower wheel is attached to the motor housing with just three screws. Attach the new motor to the motor housing and voila, you're done! It's that easy.

POST COMMENT

What Exactly Is This ArdyssLife Stuff Architecture Of The Ancient Egyption Sistem What is Blue screen safe mode? Do You Strive For What You Want Or Do You Settle For What You're Given What Can Tarps do for You? Zayed National Museum - Growing legacy of Abu Dhabi Your Wish is Granted! How to Use Feng Shui Wish-Fulfilling Gems to Make Your Wishes Come True Juveniles In Adult Court The Best Savory Treats Upon the Earth - The Extremely Mouth Watering Peanut Butter Easter Egg Edwin Smith Papyrus The Progressive Problem is Nothing More Than Regurgitated Regression Egyptian Ship Buildings How to Unlock Wii: The free method