It’s a valid question to ask since a ductless bathroom fan does not remove moisture. So, why do people need this at all, right?
Well, not everyone has the venting options for ducted bath fan under certain circumstances like modular construction situations. But you will have to ventilate your half bathroom to get rid of the odor.
That’s where the ductless bath fan comes in. A true friend for any half bathroom with no shower or tub where venting is not practical.
There are 5 venting options for bath fans but when nothing is possible, you need a ductless one. I will talk about exactly when and why you need such an exhaust fan pointing out its pros and cons.
When And Why You Need A Ductless Bathroom Fan?
So, mainly you need a ductless bathroom fan with a charcoal filter and light to remove the odor from your bathroom when your building doesn’t have ducted bathroom fan venting options.
It can’t remove moisture. So, why do people still have this? Let’s see…
- If you pair a ductless exhaust fan with an open window/door, you won’t have an intense moisture problem. You can also have a dehumidifier to solve the moisture problem.
- Such ductless fans are great for any bathroom without bathtubs or showers because it’s not possible to install an entire duct system. Then you won’t have to worry about moisture. To deal with the odor coming out of the toilet, it will simply neutralize that with the charcoal filter.
- It can still fight mold growth apart from neutralizing odor by way of keeping the air moving and fresh.
- Another reason people still get this type of fan is that they are very affordable. You can get a brand-new ductless fan for just $30 to $40!
- Low noise level is another good feature of the ductless fan. When you compare it with an older ducted fan, it is very noise-less for your half bathroom.
- They are very energy-efficient too. A ductless fan will consume way less power than a ducted fan.
Limitations of A Ductless Bathroom Fan
A ducted bathroom fan can remove both moisture and odor whereas a ductless fan only removes the odor. That’s the biggest downside of a ductless exhaust fan.
- Can’t Remove Moisture
Being ductless, it can’t remove moisture from your bathroom. So, mold and mildew can still grow inside your bathroom unless you keep it dry using other ways like having a dehumidifier.
- Not Suitable For Large Bathroom
A ductless bath fan is designed for the smaller bathroom only. The size should not be more than 50 square feet. You won’t feel its benefit like removing the odor if you install it in the large bathroom.
- Hard To Come By
The use of a ductless fan is pretty rare in the U.S. You may not find them at your local hardware store. However, you can still find a few of them on Amazon.
- False Hope
It does a little when it comes to dealing with mold and mildew. If you have a shower in the bathroom, mold and mildew will still grow inside despite having a such fan.
So, you are risking respiratory and other problems and a ductless extractor fan may give a false sense of hope.
Nobody gets a ductless fan when they have the option to get a ducted bathroom exhaust fan. But for half a bathroom and if don’t have the option, I still recommend a ductless fan.
However, you should make sure that it does not break the municipality’s code to avoid fines.
And if the downsides of ductless fans discourage you to have this, consult with a professional to get the optimal venting solution for your unique situation.
Ventilation is important for both half and full bathrooms. So, get either one of them and keep your bathroom clean and hygienic.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
A ductless exhaust fan removes foul odor from the bathroom by recirculating air using a charcoal filter instead of any ductwork. Since it’s not ducted, it can’t remove moisture. Instead, the charcoal traps the grease and dirt as well as removes odors.
Of course, it should be vented outside, most preferably through the attic. If not possible through the attic, you can vent it through the sidewall.
A ducted range hood can vent all the foul air directly outside the house whereas a ductless range hood uses a fan/blower motor to pull all the smoke and grease out of the air and recirculate the air back.
Closing Remarks
I believe you now know what is the point of a ductless bathroom fan, right? Nobody gets this unless it’s the only option available to them.
Such a fan still does an excellent job removing and keeping the odor and other toxins at a minimum. The charcoal works like a charm to do this task.
So, if you can’t get a ducted one, get a ductless fan at least.
