Ventilation Fan Manuals & Owner Guides

Types of ventilation fans

Bathroom and utility room fans

Ceiling-mounted fans that remove moisture and odors. Many can run continuously at low speed for whole-house ventilation.

Range hoods

Capture cooking moisture, grease, smoke and combustion byproducts above the cooktop. Ducted operation to the outdoors is far more effective than recirculation.

In-line fans

Mounted in the duct run away from living spaces for quiet operation. Single-port models serve one intake; multi-port models can serve several rooms.

Choosing airflow and sound level

• Bathrooms up to 100 sq. ft.: about 1 CFM per square foot, minimum 50 CFM.
• Larger bathrooms: about 50 CFM per toilet, shower and tub, and 100 CFM for a jetted tub.
• Kitchens: codes typically require at least 100 CFM for an intermittent range hood.
• Sound: 1 sone is roughly a quiet refrigerator; fans at 1.0 sone or less are very quiet, while 3 sones and above are clearly audible.

Rated airflow is measured under standardized, low-resistance conditions. Long duct runs, elbows and small ducts reduce real-world airflow, which is why some listings also report airflow at 0.25 in. of static pressure.

Ducting do's and don'ts

• Always vent to the outdoors through a roof or wall cap with a backdraft damper.
• Use duct at least as large as the fan collar, keep runs short and straight, and limit elbows.
• Insulate ducts that pass through unheated attics to prevent condensation.
• Seal joints with foil tape or mastic; never use cloth duct tape.

Ventilation Fan FAQ