Improve bathroom and kitchen ventilation with proper exhaust fans

Replace undersized or noisy bathroom exhaust fans with properly rated units that actually get used. Most residential mold problems start in bathrooms where inadequate ventilation traps shower moisture in walls and ceilings.

Why It Works

A single shower generates 0.5-1 pint of moisture. Without adequate exhaust, this moisture condenses on cooler surfaces inside wall cavities and attic spaces, creating ideal mold conditions. Modern fans are whisper-quiet (under 1.0 sone), encouraging daily use.

Tips

• Size fans at 1 CFM per square foot of bathroom area, minimum 50 CFM
• Panasonic WhisperCeiling (FV-0511VQ1, $150-$200) and Broan-NuTone (AE110, $100-$150) are top-rated for quiet operation
• Install humidity-sensing fans that run automatically when moisture is detected — eliminates the "forgot to turn it on" problem
• Vent exhaust directly outside through the roof or wall, never into the attic — attic-vented fans are the #1 cause of attic mold
• Run fans for 20 minutes after showering, or install a timer switch ($20-$30)
• Kitchen range hoods should exhaust outside at 100+ CFM; recirculating hoods do not remove moisture