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What is an Exhaust Fan?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

An exhaust fan is a fan which is used to control the interior environment by venting out unwanted odors, particulates, smoke, moisture, and other contaminants which may be present in the air. Exhaust fans can also be integrated into a heating and cooling system. Common locations for exhaust fans include bathrooms and kitchens, and these fans are usually very easy to install, so they can be situated in many other locations as well. For installation, people do need a few tools, and they must be comfortable working with electricity to wire the fan in place.

A classic use for an exhaust fan is in an environment like a kitchen or a bathroom. These locations tend to get filled with steam, and steam can promote the development of mold, which is not desirable. An exhaust fan can be used to vent the warm, moist air to the outside, where it can disperse harmlessly. Exhaust fans can also vent cooking odors outside so that they do not linger indoors, and when people cook smoky foods, the fan can help keep the air in and around the kitchen clear.

Exhaust fans are commonly used in kitchens to vent warm, moist air outside.
Exhaust fans are commonly used in kitchens to vent warm, moist air outside.

For temperature control, an exhaust fan can be used in the hot months to push warm air outside, creating negative pressure inside the house. This promotes air flow by drawing in air from the outside, and the outdoor air may be cooler, contributing to cooling in the house. Using an exhaust fan can be an alternative to air conditioning, or a supplement to an air conditioning system.

Exhaust fans can ventilate potentially dangerous fumes from garages and other work areas.
Exhaust fans can ventilate potentially dangerous fumes from garages and other work areas.

These fans can also be useful in garages and workshops to ventilate the space. Since these areas can sometimes acquire strong smells and people may work with potentially dangerous chemicals in them, exhaust fans can be used for comfort and safety. An exhaust fan is especially important when people are working with things like solvents, which are not healthy or safe to inhale. Likewise, it is important to vent fumes from paints, varnishes, and similar types of treatments.

An exhaust fan can help to vent a room and prevent mold or mildew.
An exhaust fan can help to vent a room and prevent mold or mildew.

Such fans have uses outside the home as well. Any enclosed space can be vented with an exhaust fan, ranging from a large storage warehouse to a storefront. These fans are also used in settings like science labs to provide ventilation which will pull potentially hazardous substances away from people working in the lab. Similarly, they are used to vent operating rooms so that anesthetic gases are dispersed, and restaurants rely on heavy duty exhaust fans to keep their kitchens clear.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a HomeQuestionsAnswered researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a HomeQuestionsAnswered researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon279287

Can we produce electricity with a fan?

kangaBurg

@smartypantz – I wouldn’t recommend an attic exhaust fan. You’d probably be better off just getting him his own tiny air conditioner.

I put an office in my attic last summer and I used to have an attic fan. My electricity bill went up a lot last summer because the fan pulled too much cool air out of my house. That made space for hot air from outside to rush in.

My attic exhaust fan was in the hallway, so the air conditioner in my living room ended up doing double duty and broke down within three months.

I decided to get a little AC for my attic, since I had to replace the broken one anyway. I sealed off the attic fan and my cooling bill went down a little bit.

smartypantz

We’ve just made a bedroom in the attic for our eldest son, and are wondering how to keep his new attic room cool during the summer. We’re thinking of buying an attic exhaust fan. How do we choose the best one?

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    • Exhaust fans are commonly used in kitchens to vent warm, moist air outside.
      By: corepics
      Exhaust fans are commonly used in kitchens to vent warm, moist air outside.
    • Exhaust fans can ventilate potentially dangerous fumes from garages and other work areas.
      By: Sunny
      Exhaust fans can ventilate potentially dangerous fumes from garages and other work areas.
    • An exhaust fan can help to vent a room and prevent mold or mildew.
      By: Mushy
      An exhaust fan can help to vent a room and prevent mold or mildew.
    • Exhaust fans may be used in science labs to provide ventilation from harmful substances for those working in the lab.
      By: nandyphotos
      Exhaust fans may be used in science labs to provide ventilation from harmful substances for those working in the lab.