Installing a Bathroom Fan
by Shannon McMahon Bruchal
Reducing or eliminating bathroom
moisture is necessary for health and aesthetic reasons. A bathroom fan will
accomplish this for you. Once you have found the right fan for your
bathroom, you will need to install it. Here are some instructions to help
you.
1. Shut off the power.
Make sure the power to the circuits where you are working is shut off.
It's a good idea to test the wires before you begin your work.
2. Choose the spot where you will
install your fan.
If there is an existing light fixture in your bathroom ceiling, that is
the logical choice, and the easiest one, because the wiring is already in
place. If not, your fan can be mounted on the ceiling or the wall, if
necessary.
3. Place the fan housing so that
you can fasten it directly to the ceiling joist.
If this is not possible, install wooden braces between the joists to
provide a solid point of attachment for the fan housing.
4. Hold the fan housing against the bathroom ceiling and trace around it to
define the shape of the hole you will need to cut.
5. Once you have cut the hole, secure the fan housing in place. Make
sure the housing is flush with the surface of the ceiling.
6. Run a cable from the existing light switch to the fan unit. If you
have separate switches to operate the fan and the light, use a 3-wire cable.
Additional cables may be necessary if your unit has a heater and/or a timer.
Also, if you are replacing an existing fixture and do not require an
independent switch for the fan operation, this step is not necessary.
7. Make your electrical connections are secure at the fan unit by using wire nuts.
Follow the diagram from the manufacturer for the configuration. Attach
ground wire to the grounding clip and push the wires into the wiring box and
attach the cover.
8. Connect the duct to the fan housing. Ductwork should always be
vented to the outside, either straight out the wall, via a soffit, or
through a roof vent. Most city codes require an outside vent.
9. Follow the instructions from the manufacturer to determine how far
away from the unit you will need to place the insulation.
10. Install the unit cover.
11. Wire the cable into the electrical circuit at the wall switch.
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