Temperamental extractor fans

[Denshe]

Help required for some pensioners. We have extractor fans in each of our bathrooms which are triggered by flow switches on the cold water feed to the showers (one shower is electric so fed by cold water only, the other is a mixer with cold and hot feeds). These work correctly most of the time but occasionally the fan comes on when water is used elsewhere in the house and very occasionally when we operate the light switches hidden behind the tiles. This seems to happen for a few days then things revert to normal operations.

We are not able to identify source of the problem as it is intermittent so we are looking for ideas.

We replaced the flow switches a few years ago when we first had the problem and things worked for a couple of years but then started up again. We also recently fitted a non-return valve next to one flow switch but this has had no effect even though this is the last tap on the system. Any suggestions about what may be causing the problem or ideas for an alternative solution that would apply to both showers would be welcome but we don’t really want a PIR or humidistat.

 

[Denshe]

Help needed for pensioners. We have extractor fans in each of our bathrooms which are triggered by flow switches on the cold water feed to the showers (one shower is electric so fed by cold water only, the other is a mixer with cold and hot feeds). These work correctly most of the time but occasionally the fan comes on when water is used elsewhere in the house and very occasionally when we operate the light switches hidden behind the tiles. This seems to happen for a few days then things revert to normal operations.

We are not able to identify source of the problem as it is intermittent so we are looking for ideas.

We replaced the flow switches a few years ago when we first had the problem and things worked for a couple of years but then started up again. We also recently fitted a non-return valve next to one flow switch but this has had no effect even though this is the last tap on the system. Any suggestions about what may be causing the problem or ideas for an alternative solution that would apply to both showers would be welcome but we don’t really want a PIR or humidistat.

 

[jeff the gasman]

I’d have a pir or a humidistat!

 

[JohnD]

That's a very curious and expensive way to do it.

The usual contemporary method is to wire it to the room light, so it comes on when you turn on the light, and has a timer to run on 20 minutes, or come other convenient period, after leaving.

Modern fans can be almost inaudible, and use imperceptible amounts of electricity.

Some people have an aversion to ventilation, and this keeps bathrooms fresh and dry even if they refuse to turn fans on.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

The usual contemporary method is to wire it to the room light, so it comes on when you turn on the light, and has a timer to run on 20 minutes, or come other convenient period, after leaving.

People only tend to turn lights on, when it is dark. PIR's detect a person entering the bathroom, whether they turn the light on or not.

 

[JohnD]

People only tend to turn lights on, when it is dark.

Not me. I also turn them on to start the fan, or if the blind is down, or if it is a dull, cloudy day.

At this time of year, it's dark by teatime, and pretty gloomy in the mornings.

On sunny summer mornings, the window is open.

I love ventilation, me.

 

[EFLImpudence]

I love ventilation, me.

If you're that keen on it, you shouldn't need a fan.