Bathroom extractor fan upgrade suggestions

[bolst3r]

My en-suite/wetroom is ten years old and gradually over that time a small amount of mould has appeared on the ceiling due to excess condensation. I'm treating and repainting it but need to do something to prevent this in the future. My first thought it to upgrade the current Xpelair extractor and shorten the run of extractor ducting in the roof. I can see there are heavier duty extractors than what I currently have but does anyone have any first-hand experience with these?

My current extractor is on an isolation switch which is knocked off when the shower isn't in use so it doesn't come on at night and wake everyone up. I'm hoping I can do a straight swap with whatever I get?

Luckily only one wall is exterior and this is battened so there is a small thermal break. It doesn't have a window which would obviously help. Really an upgraded extractor is the only viable option to improve the situation.

 

[bolst3r]

following on from this, would I be better as I can get about and there is space to replace it for an inline extractor? Are these crazy loud as it will be above a bedroom

 

[foxhole]

Condensation is not the cause of mould but poor ventilation.
An inline centrifugal fan is most effective , mount on roof timber not ceiling to minimise noise .Ideally needs to run whenever the room is used .
I found this to be a good model .
https://www.screwfix.com/p/xpelair-...VSrDtCh0q4QFNEAQYASACEgIII_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[JohnD]

A modern inline fan can be pretty well inaudible, especially if it is up in the loft and mounted on a piece of thick ply, spaced off the roof timbers with rubber padding or carpet.

IMO it is best to have it wired to come on with the light switch, and to have a half-hour timed run-on when the light goes off. The timer can be adjusted.

Electricity cost is negligible.

They typically have two or three times the air throughput of a cheap builder's fan.

For example this nasty cheap fan has a noise rating of 41db
https://www.screwfix.com/p/manrose-mg100t-12w-bathroom-extractor-fan-with-timer-white-240v/62530

and this good inine one is 24db
https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/SLTD160T.html

The better fans have ball-bearing motors and will last longer than cheap ones.

 

[bolst3r]

A modern inline fan can be pretty well inaudible, especially if it is up in the loft and mounted on a piece of thick ply, spaced off the roof timbers with rubber padding or carpet.

IMO it is best to have it wired to come on with the light switch, and to have a half-hour timed run-on when the light goes off. The timer can be adjusted.

Electricity cost is negligible.

They typically have two or three times the air throughput of a cheap builder's fan.

For example this nasty cheap fan has a noise rating of 41db
https://www.screwfix.com/p/manrose-mg100t-12w-bathroom-extractor-fan-with-timer-white-240v/62530

and this good inine one is 24db
https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/SLTD160T.html

The better fans have ball-bearing motors and will last longer than cheap ones.

I was thinking I could space it off the rafters with some rubber roofing that I have. My current extractor does come on with the light but we tend to disable it with the isolation switch at night. I guess the same would be possible with this one? Wiring wise I'm hoping it's like-for-like?

Certainly makes sense to replace my current 'builder's fan' Xpelair as although it's not a bad brand it sounds like it wont compare to an inline fan. Had a quick read up on that one from TLC... Wouldn't mind one with a decent warranty as a few ppl on amazon have said they have failed quite quickly.

Thanks for your suggestions and help

 

[JohnD]

we tend to disable it with the isolation switch at night.

The modern ones are so quiet that I don't think it will be necessary.

The Soler & Palau fans have a good reputation, and seem to me to be a high-quality build. The noise is very slight.

I don't know how long the warranty is. If I have one knocking about I'll have a look.

 

[bolst3r]

Condensation is not the cause of mould but poor ventilation.
An inline centrifugal fan is most effective , mount on roof timber not ceiling to minimise noise .Ideally needs to run whenever the room is used .
I found this to be a good model .
https://www.screwfix.com/p/xpelair-...VSrDtCh0q4QFNEAQYASACEgIII_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

so the roof timbers are at an angle. Does this matter? Does the inline fan need to be flat? I suppose I could build a box that gives me a flat surface if need be

 

[foxhole]

No need for it to be flat , have hung them from small springs to reduce vibration noise .

 

[bolst3r]

No need for it to be flat , have hung them from small springs to reduce vibration noise .

ok, great thanks. Assume wiring is standard and will be like my current fan (Brown, black, grey) from the fan isolator?