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John Grabowski John Grabowski is offline
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Default replacing bathroom fan


"grodenhiATgmailDOTcom" wrote in message
...
I have a dumb question.... We have a 40 sqft. bathroom (full bath).
The exhaust fan can not keep up. It's been getting worse and worse
since we moved in a few years ago. We've tried cleaning it out a few
times but that does little good. We didn't put it in, but from the
looks of it, it's one of those super cheap Broan fans
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?actio...71&lpage=none).
It's rated to fit our size bathroom but does not cut it. What I'd
like to do is replace it with a new better quality one. My question
is...... Is there a way to do this without getting into the attic?
If I buy a better model Broan (same size unit) can I simply put it in
the existing box in the ceiling? Ideally I want to disconnect and
pull down the old one and reconnect a new one in it's spot. Thanks!!



Depending on the model fan that you have, Nutone/Broan makes a retrofit kit
that is a little quieter than the existing cheap builders special. Check
out the model 690 kit he
http://www.broan.com/display/router....oductID=100402 This is
installable without going into the attic in about a half hour. My
recommendation is to get rid of that Broan fan altogether and install a
Panasonic model in its place. You will most likely need to go into the
attic to install it, but it is worth the extra work and expense.

As Nate mentioned, there could be other factors causing the fan to not
perform well. A roof cap that no longer fully opens, a pinched duct, or the
fan damper may be stuck. Also an exhaust fan does require make-up air to
perform well so as Nate suggested an open window would help.