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After digging through hundreds of customer reviews and spending hours researching to find out which is the best bathroom fan between Delta Breez vs. Broan vs. Fantech vs. Panasonic Bathroom Fans, I think the following are the best for most people.
Delta vs. Broan vs Fantech vs. Panasonic comparisons.
Features to look at when selecting a bathroom fan.
- Bathroom fan capacity
- Installation
- Features
- Noise levels
- Energy consumption
- Dollars and Cents.
Bathroom fan size
To ensure you get enough ventilation for your bathroom; you need to install a bathroom fan with the right size. According to the Home Ventilation Institute (HVI) the capacity is measured by the ability to move air in Cubic feet per minute (CFM). The fan you buy should be determined by the size of your bathroom. HVI recommend one CFM for every square foot floor space of your bathroom. For example, a bathroom that has a 7floor size of 10 square foot should have a 10 CFM bathroom fan.
- Delta Breeze- 80 CFM
- Broan- 70 CFM
- Fantech- 110 CFM
- Panasonic- 110 CFM
When it comes to large bathrooms, Home ventilation institute recommends fans based on the type of installation according to the following recommendation Bath Tub- 50 CFM, Shower-50 CFM, Toilet- 50 CFM, Jetted Tub 100 CFM
Place of Installation
Different bathroom fans are installed in different places, for example, ceiling or walls. Therefore, you should consider which type of installation you need for your bathroom. The ideal place for installation is a place where it is exposed to the most amount of moisture in order to get rid of that humid air. For example, most experts recommend placing it directly over the bathtub or near the shower.
- Delta Breeze- ceiling mounted like a bulb
- Broan- Mounting ears offer quick installation
- Nutone – Grill to be attached to the ceiling. It comes with metal clips.
- Fantech- Mount for 4″ Duct
- Panasonic – Grill Ceiling mounted
Features
Modern models come with additional features such as integrated lights, night lights, heaters, humidity sensors, and motion sensors. These add-ons are meant to make bathroom fans more useful,
For example, some fans are installed with a light which has a separate switch from the fan’s switch for user convenience. Others have in-built heaters to give the users the flexibility of heating the bathroom when using it. In addition, they have a thermostat to regulate the temperature.
Another great trendy feature is mobile device connectivity which can be used to play music in the bathroom. Finally, manufacturers of these devices go out of their way to make sure their final products look beautiful, so you look out for fans that blend with your bathroom colors and decor.
- Broan- This is a fan and light combo
- Nutone- Ventilation fan with a heater
- Fantech- This is an inline exhaust with a remote fan that operates quietly.
- Panasonic- This is a traditional fan which does not include other fancy features. It’s just plain efficient fan.
Noise levels
You don’t what to buy a fan that is too Noisy because they are irritating and disturb the peace of mind at home. you need to choose the one that has just the right sound level because also don’t want a silent one such that you can’t detect when it is on or off.
The sound is measured in sones with the lower figure indicating less noise. Anything beyond 3 sones is audible to the human ear.
- Delta Breeze 1.3 sones
- Broan 3.5 sones
- Fantech 1.2 sones
- Panasonic 0.3 sones
Energy Consumption
It goes without saying, devices that consume less energy are the best because they not only save your hard-earned money, but they are also good for the environment. Studies have shown that ventilation machines contribute significantly to increase residential energy cost’s. Therefore, you need to buy an energy-efficient model so that you don’t pay a lot in electricity costs.
- Delta Breeze 13.9 watts
- Broan 340 watts including 100 watts bulb
- Fantech 50 watts
- Panasonic 120 volts 0.18 amps
Bathroom Fans Reviews
Delt Breeze SLM70 Review
Delt Breeze green is a ceiling mounted. It uses a delta DC brushless motor which produces very little sound when in operation it produces 0.8 sones. A prominent feature is light.
It’s easy to install, and it looks great because of its great design and finishes. Most importantly, the delta motor is reliable and long-lasting. The 80 CFM size is ideal for a normal size bathroom found in most homes with an area of 80 square feet or less.
It is not easy to find anothe model that is as effective as Delt Breeze. Most importantly, you will not have to break the bank to buy this model. Not supringly, it has great customer reviews on Amazon from alot of buyers.
Pros
- Extremely silent
- Light combo
- Great finish
- Brushless motor that can run continuously
- Thermal cut-off switch on the motor
- Low noise level
- Energy efficient
Cons
- Installation is not Easy
Broan 678 Review
You may be wondering why Broan 678 is a favorite for a lot of people. Well, here’s the deal. It is a 50-CFM fan that emits 2.5 sones noise. You can enjoy fresh air with little noise. In addition, it comes with 100-watt lighting bulb. More importantly, it comes with a light-diffusing lens which helps you see small details better. Also, Broan 678 review is super easy to install because mounting brackets.
Pros
- Affordable
- Incorporating lighting
- Body made with Galvanized steel
- Replaceable filters
- Mounting brackets
- rustproof steel
- The motor is installed with thermal shut off
- Detachable motor
Cons
- You have to buy bulb separately
- Noisy
- Low quality
Fantech PB270 Reviews
When it comes to a heavy duty bathroom fan, Fantech PB270 is a great option. You enjoy noiseless operation with this 110CFM centrifugal fan. Most importantly, you can install it at a distance from the bathroom such that it serves two rooms. It needs a 6″ X 2″ framing for installation. In addition, it’s super easy to install.It is made Galvanized steel, so you can be sure it will not rust.
Pros
- Heavy duty
- Can serve double rooms
- Low noise levels
- 110 CFM
Cons
- A bit expensive
Panasonic FV-11VQ5 Review
If what you are looking for is a combination of a fan, heater, and nightlight, Panasonic is a great option. In addition, it is super easy to install on the ceiling. It is an energy conserving unit, and it is operated by 110 CFM which is great for most normal household bathrooms 110 cubic feet of air per minute.
Pros
- combine fan, light, and heater
- Easy of installation
- Energy efficient
- Many positive reviews
- High-quality materials
Cons
- Large and heavy
How to install a Bathroom Vent Fan
Conclusion
When deciding on which bathroom fan to buy, you should consider the capacity which is measured in cubic feet per minute (CFM). The capacity you choose should be determined by how big your bathroom is. Another thing to look out for is the add-ons such as heaters and lights. In addition, the noise level is also an important consideration. Noise level is measured in sone with higher sones indicating that it produces more noise. Finally, the amount of electricity consumed should not be too high. Devices with thermal cutoffs are the best because they automatically switch off.
ABOUT LEON SMITH
Leon is a Thirty-something-year-old blogger from Mauritius who is currently studying for a Masters degree in chemical and processing Engineering at the University of Eldoret in Kenya. Read more about him.