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Give the fan 30 minutes
I’m constantly going through my house and turning off lights after people. With four kids this is a never ending challenge. Hallways, bedrooms, lamps, fume hood, etc. My kiddos don’t seem to appreciate that I’m paying for the power all the hours things are left on while they are at school. But there is one exception to my frustration; one thing I always approve keeping on long after leaving. That’s the bathroom fan. Why?
In my home inspections I’ve seen the effects of moisture on homes. Water is the number one enemy of the home. We protect our homes from outside water but we must also protect them from the water we produce inside. Where did the water go that was boiling in the pot for pasta? Where does the water from our breathing and sweating go when it evaporates? Where does all that steam go from that long, hot shower that transformed the bathroom into a sauna? I figured it out – the walls and ceiling! And the bathroom ventilation fan comes to the aid pulling much of that moisture out of the home.
My recommendation – GIVE THE FAN 30 MINUTES. This applies to bathroom and kitchen fans. If you struggle to remember turning it off replace the switch with a timer. If your fan is noisy with obnoxious rattling or scraping noises it it probably time to replace it. If your vent screen is dirty, vacuum or wash it. And be sure your fan is venting outside of the home and not just into the attic.
For those folks who assume moisture is not a big deal please be warned! Problems will happen. Organic growth (molds, mildews) can form on the bathroom walls and ceiling. Paint can peel. Other water related pests and issues can be drawn into the walls and attics. Its so much easier and cheaper to run the fan 30 minutes!I wonder if this will make any difference to my kids… probably not.
