Designing Kitchens and Bathrooms - Bathroom fan Noise

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bplinder
09-20-04, 09:33 AM
I just had a new bathroom fan installed. Initially the contractor had the fan exhaust through a 10 foot cylindrical tube into the attic. At this point the fan was extremely quiet.

When I insisted that the contractor exhaust the fan to the outside, the fan noise increased dramatically. I noticed that the contractor used flexible tubing to connect the end of the 10 ft. tube to the outside wall. Also, the outside wall is covered with a plastic piece with 6 or so slats that open when the bathroom fan is on, and close when the fan is off.

What is causing the increase in noise. I would say the noise doubled or tripled after the fan was properly exhausted.

What is interesting is that I had an old fan that simply exhausted into the attic before that was extremeley loud. I went out and bought a very quiet Broan fan, with a low sonnes rating. But now I feel that I have the same level of noise that I had before.

Any help is appreciated.

Barry


Doug Aleshire
09-20-04, 10:48 AM
Barry,

It's possible that the length of the ducting is now too far, creating a tunnel that cannot exhaust the air as freely. You're getting "feedback" for lack of a better word.

Check the manufacturers installation directions for more info or call the manufacturer for tech support.

Good Luck!

bplinder
09-29-04, 12:05 PM
Great Advice. I called Broan and confirmed that the flexible tubing was probably the trouble. I had the contractor replace the flexible tubing and the noise did decrease a bit. The contractor did put in some 90 elbows, which I believe is preventing the fan from being whisper quiet, but the level of noise is now acceptable.

I'll just live with it now.

THanks for your help