Questions tagged [fans]
The fans tag has no usage guidance.
424
questions
17
votes
5
answers
15k
views
Exhaust fumes seeping into our 4th floor apartment at night through bathroom and shower vents/fans
This is our second fall/winter in our 4th floor apartment, and we've noticed that whenever the weather becomes cool, exhaust fumes which seem to come from the garage in the basement of the apartment ...
- 171
16
votes
1
answer
3k
views
Does anyone know what this fan blower thingy is?
I initially thought it was some type of paint mixer then realized the end would not fit in a drill.
- 6,376
15
votes
4
answers
15k
views
Is there a device that will allow a bathroom fan to run for 5 minutes after it is switched off?
There is one switch that controls the lights and fan in the bathroom. Users turn the light/fan on when they enter, and off when they leave.
I'd like for the bathroom fan to run for a time after they ...
- 3,333
13
votes
3
answers
138k
views
What is the purpose of a watt regulator in my ceiling fan?
The lights on my harbor breeze fan stopped working this morning. When I came home from work, I got the ladder and took down the lights. I don't have a multimeter but I saw that there is this Watt ...
- 3,295
11
votes
4
answers
9k
views
Are new "low noise" whole house fans actually quieter?
I've dealt with a number of older whole house fans (10 years and older) and the one thing they all had in common was a ton of noise.
Are the new "low noise" fans actually that much quieter than the ...
- 3,333
10
votes
8
answers
137k
views
How much energy will continuously running a furnace fan use?
We have a bi-level (tri-level? There's a small entry way and utility room, then an upstairs living area and master bedroom and a downstairs living area with bedrooms) in mid-Michigan.
The downstairs ...
- 421
9
votes
10
answers
148k
views
Better to run air conditioner fan on high or low speed?
In my apartment, I have two window air conditioning units. Both have different settings for the fan speed: one has two speed options and the other has three. Both have the design that the room ...
- 399
9
votes
2
answers
22k
views
How to add additional speeds to a box fan
I have a 20" Box Fan, that has 3 speeds. It's a commerical model from Lasko, heavily built, puts out a lot of air... too much actually for my normal needs.
So I'd like to add speeds in addition way ...
- 131
7
votes
4
answers
5k
views
Fastest way to dry a vented dirt crawl space (no vapor barrier) in California (Bay Area)
I read so many contradicting things online: Some recommend dehumidiers (if so, which?), some advice against. Some recommend fans (which, how many, how/where to install?), some advice against. Some ...
- 1,255
7
votes
1
answer
413
views
Where can I find a bathroom fan that will fit in a 5" cylindrical space?
The fan in the master-bathroom of my house recently stopped working.
The old fan is in a 5" cylindrical housing in the ceiling and the housing is not going to come out without major work on the ...
- 173
6
votes
8
answers
119k
views
Why has my ceiling fan's speed become slower?
We have owned a Minka Aire ceiling fan for about 4 years and it has been great overall; running for 24hrs a day.
It has 3 settings and when we initially purchased the fan; the speed was noticeable ...
- 225
6
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Strange Wire in Bathroom Wiring
I was recently working on some wiring in my bathroom, and I noticed a 3rd load wire that I couldn't quite explain.
There were 4 Black Wires coming in (with 4 corresponding White Neutral wires). One ...
- 163
5
votes
1
answer
9k
views
Could I safely use a dimmer switch on an air filter fan?
I bought a small HEPA air filter fan that was advertised as being a quiet model. But it's not quiet enough for me. I bought another "quiet" fan, but the new one is also too loud for my liking.
Could ...
- 225
5
votes
3
answers
7k
views
How can I improve ventilation in my room with a window fan while filtering pollen from a nearby tree?
This is a campus building in Aalto University where you have a tree about 10 cm away from the window. The Espoo city does not allow the student organisation AYY to cut down the tree. There is a poor ...
- 281
5
votes
1
answer
2k
views
What is the purpose of a bathroom fan filter? What is the risk of not using a filter?
Our bathroom fan filter was worn out and very dirty with cigarette smoke from the previous tenant¹, so we removed it. We could replace it, but why does a bathroom fan need a filter in the first place?...
- 245
5
votes
7
answers
13k
views
Air sealing a whole house fan
I have a whole house fan installed in my house from the previous owners. I love the fan, as it lets me cool down the house quickly in the evening -- or after I fill the house with smoke from ...
- 879
5
votes
2
answers
11k
views
Why won't the fan run independently of the air conditioner?
I have central air and heat, with a Nest thermostat. My system has Y, G, R, C and W wires coming out of it:
which are wired into my Nest like so:
In between, there is a splice where the C wire is ...
- 472
5
votes
2
answers
12k
views
Bathroom in-wall exhaust fan with dimmer?
In searching this SE, I see many questions discussing traditional ceiling fans and dimmer switches.
This question revolves around bathroom in-wall exhaust fans and dimmer switches. Is it safe to ...
- 2,367
5
votes
1
answer
10k
views
Can I control a bathroom extractor fan independently from the light?
My bathroom extractor timer fan works fine except that I have to have the lights on when it is in use. I have 2 windows in the bathroom and feel it is a waste of energy to have the lights on in order ...
- 51
5
votes
2
answers
4k
views
Line voltage thermostat to shut off attic fan when outside temp is close to inside?
I have an attic fan with a thermostat, but with the high heat these past weeks, the outdoor temperature is often above the thermostat setting. Thus, I'm just replacing all the air in the attic with ...
- 879
4
votes
6
answers
11k
views
Does a portable fan work for drying the bathroom?
If a bathroom has no windows and doesn't get completely dry after a shower (neither do the towels, and the ceiling starts to grow black spots of mold), can a regular fan dry everything after the ...
- 141
4
votes
4
answers
412
views
What should I look for in a Whole House Fan
I see a lot of variance in the prices of whole house fans in the market, and not a lot of clarity or comparison between vendors and models.
We're looking to buy some to install in our newly purchased ...
- 185
4
votes
4
answers
4k
views
Replacing a bathroom fan?
I have a bathroom fan that doesn't turn anymore. Flipping the switch doesn't do anything, but if I nudge it enough it might get going. I used to spray WD-40 on the bottom where I could see it turn ...
- 143
4
votes
3
answers
84k
views
Why is my bathroom fan completely ineffective?
I just moved into my first home, and the bathroom fan is 100% ineffective. I can hear the motor run when I turn it on, and I remember going into the attic with the home inspector and tracing a ...
- 211
4
votes
5
answers
23k
views
When is a bath fan considered to be "over a tub or shower"?
I'm going to add a fan to my currently unvented bathroom. The fan installation instructions include the text "if this unit is to be installed over a tub or shower, it must be marked as appropriate ...
- 901
4
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Can I add a junction box in my attic to ease congestion in a ceiling box?
I have an existing ceiling junction box feeding a ceiling fan (with lights) that I'm replacing with a flush mount ceiling fan (no lights) and plan to add four recessed lights controlled by a separate ...
- 43
4
votes
3
answers
3k
views
How can I prevent cold air from dropping down my bath fan duct?
In my new home, on the second floor, the bathroom fans goes outside and under the roof, so the output is upside down.
They installed the type of vent with a flap that, normally with gravity and ...
- 41
4
votes
1
answer
9k
views
Should I be concerned that the furnace fan is making a loud noise when it turns on?
About three weeks ago our 10 year furnace's blower motor (which also blows for the AC) died (the bearing seized). HVAC company comes out, removes the squirrel cage and motor, puts a new motor (with a ...
- 41
4
votes
4
answers
26k
views
How freely should a central A/C condenser fan spin?
Last year my home's central air condenser fan motor stopped working. When I noticed the house wasn't cooling down I went outside to investigate and found there was a humming sound coming from the unit,...
- 237
4
votes
3
answers
31k
views
Why is my A/C condenser fan motor wiring backwards, and how can I fix it?
I've just replaced my condenser fan motor on my home A/C unit with this unit: http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/GENERAL-ELECTRIC-Condenser-Fan-Motor-2PRA6
The HP, RPM's and amp ratings all match. The ...
- 237
4
votes
2
answers
1k
views
remedying ceiling fan horror-show
In the course of doing some other work, I came across this poor installation of a ceiling fan. This was done when my house was originally wired by "professional" electricians, and presumably ...
- 2,481
4
votes
1
answer
12k
views
Water Noise When Radon Fan is On
I've got a radon fan installed in my basement, but no sump pump. Starting a few days ago, I've started hearing a constant gurgling or bubbling sound from a basement wall that is 15 feet from where ...
- 41
4
votes
2
answers
6k
views
Can I use an exhaust fan instead of a hood in the kitchen?
Can I install a ceiling-mounted exhaust fan (350 CFM) over my kitchen island, with 48-inch gas range, rather than a hood? If so, can you recommend an exhaust fan?
- 41
4
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Whole house fan - unexpected voltage at high/low switch
I have this fan installed. Here's the wiring diagram...
The fan has been running fine for about a month and all of a sudden it started acting like it has no power. I checked the voltage at the power ...
- 143
4
votes
2
answers
24k
views
Means of adjusting fan speed on Bryant gas furnace
My home is heated by a Bryant 359AAV furnace. The thermostat controls and indicates whether the fan is ON or OFF, but the furnace has a four-speed fan. I believe the installer set the fan on "HI" and ...
- 173
4
votes
2
answers
31k
views
How to stop a screaming pellet stove?
I'm having trouble thinking of how else to describe the sound that our pellet stove is making. It is a piercingly high pitched sound that appears to come from the blower.
Here's a video with ...
- 245
4
votes
1
answer
4k
views
How does the temperature sensor work in an attic fan?
I have an attic fan that should turn on by the temperature that is set. It is pretty hot today (Southern California) so I expected it to be on.
So far I have not seen it turn on and I just reduce ...
- 551
4
votes
1
answer
5k
views
Ice In Radon Mitigation System
I have a fan powered radon mitigation system installed in my house. It was installed in 2016 and I have not had any issues with it until this winter. I live in northern Iowa where we have been ...
- 887
3
votes
3
answers
514
views
Replacing a compact fluorescent bulb in a bathroom exhaust fan with an LED bulb?
I have a bathroom exhaust fan that has a built-in light that is a compact fluorescent bulb. It does not provide sufficient lighting (2400 lumens) and they do not produce a replacement bulb that is ...
- 31
3
votes
1
answer
667
views
New Kitchen extractor fan stopped working
Brand new kitchen extractor hood fitted last week. The lights still work, but the fan won’t turn on, so I assume not a fuse problem.
The extractor duct was about 5mm too large to fit in the top of the ...
3
votes
2
answers
4k
views
Bathroom Exhaust Fan/Light wiring
I am replacing the exhaust fan in my bathroom, however it seems like there is an extra white wire on the fan. The wires came with “quick connectors” - do I remove these and tie the whites together?
I ...
- 31
3
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Does a GFCI-protected bath light/fan unit need separate neutrals?
I hope there is an electrician on this forum who would know the answer to this. I am in the US and must have permits in my area and install per NEC.
This is new construction. Installing a fan/light ...
3
votes
3
answers
4k
views
Apartment cooling with fans
I've just moved into an apartment without an air conditioner in Sunnyvale, California. The weather is not too hot, but there are going to be some pretty warm days in the summer, especially since I'm ...
- 295
3
votes
2
answers
386
views
Protecting Smoke Alarm Relay from Large (6.5 amp @ 120V) Inductive Load
We recently installed a whole house fan that has a max current of 6.5A at 120V. Due to the dangers of whole-house fans accelerating fires, we wanted to be safe and wire in a smoke alarm relay so that ...
- 155
3
votes
2
answers
19k
views
Can I increase air volume by adding more fans?
I have a straight 25 foot rectangular duct that is 0.9 sqft in cross-sectional area (11" by 12"). There are openings on either end, and nowhere in the middle. I wish to move about 1000 CFM through the ...
3
votes
3
answers
38k
views
Why does the gas furnace blow cold air at the start of the heating cycle?
What does this problem sound like?
There is a 25 year old gas furnace in the house we rent.
(The guy that owns the place claims there is NO problem at all. He said the igniter is brand new and ...
Lora
3
votes
1
answer
659
views
Wiring for a ceiling fan. Do I create a switch or can I hard wire directly from a wall outlet?
I'm in the process of remodeling my bathroom and will be putting a counter top high electrical outlet in a corner as linen storage. I plan to draw power to this new outlet from an outlet on the ...
- 721
3
votes
2
answers
1k
views
what tool / technique would I use to take the fan blade off this fridge motor (and re-mount it to a new one?)
Not the best picture as it's straight on - here's another from http://www.fan-and-blower.com/axial-fan-ebmpapst-bg2012/
I believe the one in my Bosch fridge freezer is on its way out as it's ...
- 135
3
votes
2
answers
14k
views
How do I install a bathroom fan with its own switch?
There is an existing light fixture and switch for the light fixture. I want to add a bath fan with its own switch.
What is the easiest way?
- 31
3
votes
1
answer
83
views
How to wire this back up?
I was trying to replace my ceiling fan and well of course I didn't take a picture of how the wiring was before I tore it apart so I'm trying to figure out how to put it back together so everything ...
- 33