Knowledge Base | Hutt Electric Supply Inc.

Home Energy Management
Good energy management can help you save money. There are many ways of making your home more comfortable and energy efficient. One of the first steps to be taken is to have an in-home evaluation by a professional to maximize your energy savings.
Here are some tips for you to follow for a more energy efficient home:

Improve lighting system by replacing incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs.
Seal air leaks around window frames and doors
Turn down the water heater temperature to about 120 Fahrenheit
Check your home's heating and cooling system and change filters or do maintenance if needed
Check your attic and add insulation where it is needed
Get a programmable thermostat if you don't have one. This way you will automatically adjust your temperature settings to help you save money

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What kind of savings do I get if I change incandescent to fluorescent lighting?

A 100-Watt incandescent light bulb has a life span of 5-6 months if it is used about 6 hours a day. The price of one bulb is about $.50 and the electric rate average is $.10 per kiloWatt.

The energy cost per year is about $.10 per kilowatt per hour. The energy cost in a year for that incandescent bulb is $21.90 and during 4 1/2 years is has to be replaced about 10 times. Now, taking all this into consideration, in a period of 4 1/2 years you are spending about $103.50 for the bulb, replacements and energy consumption.

A 27 Watt fluorescent light bulb produces about 1800 lumens of light which is more than the 1750 lumens from a 100 Watt incandescent light bulb. The life time is 4 1/2 years or longer and the annual energy cost is about $5.91 if it is used 6 hours a day. With all this information, the total cost in 4 1/2 years using a fluorescent light bulb is less than $41, giving you a savings of $63.
Take a look at the flourescent light bulbs at Hutt Electric Supply!

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What is the definition of "Full Spectrum Light"?

Simulated full spectrum light is color-corrected light that operates in the range of 400 to 800 nanometers. This light will simulate the optical brilliance of outdoor light at noontime. This light can be measured by two numbers, CRI (Color Rendering Index) and Kelvin Temperature or (Degrees Kelvin). The secret to true color light and optically balanced light is how close you can get to the optics of natural light. The Sun at noon has a natural color rendering of 100 CRI and between 5000 and 5500 degrees Kelvin at noon time. Both CRI and Kelvin are important for the simulation sunlight. When you simulate light that matches the optical brilliance of sunlight, the pupils in the eyes will become smaller. This response generates clearer vision and higher perception. The results are lower glare and eye fatigue. When you can combine Lux intensity with high CRI and balanced Kelvin temperature, you will have quality light that not only matches the optical brilliance of the sun, but reduces levels of melatonin and the stress hormone, cortisol. This light is not "daylight" color. It is clear, brilliant, white light and simulates the exact color of sunlight at noon. We may ask; what is the one thing in our life that is missing? We spend so much time indoors, not only in the winter when the days are shorter, but when we work all the time. Sunlight is what we are missing and light that simulates those brilliant life giving wave lengths will be much more effective in treating seasonal depression than any other source or color of light. What separates lamps are color temperature ratings. Maintaining an average CRI of 90 and a Kelvin temperature of 5000 Kelvin are key. NOTES ABOUT UV:

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Why Use Full Spectrum Lighting?

No life can exist without the presence of natural sunshine. Each spring we feel the joy and energy that longer sun filled days bring. All of nature wakes up to the added benefit of more and more natural light. When daylight enters our eyes, it reaches the pineal gland (also known as the seat of the soul or the third eye) and activates our Endocrine system which is connected to our immune and nervous systems. The pineal gland reduces the production of the light sensitive hormone, melatonin from 100% in the night to 10% during the day. The balance of melatonin has been proven to be a crucial element in many health related studies and has been linked to estrogen production, and many cancer related diseases. Stimulating proper production of melatonin from the pineal glad is paramount to good health. The question is how do you do this? The answer to that has been addressed by many photo biologists as of late. "They state that exposure to Full-Spectrum light has an important influence on the endocrine system and can reduce the risks of many diseases, including cancer. These studies have shown that the retina can, when stimulated by the proper wave lengths of light, synthesize melatonin directly to the pineal gland. Malillumination can prohibit proper secretion of melatonin. So light of a proper type and intensity can be considered a nutrient. At the beginning of the 20th century over 70% of North Americans worked outdoors thus benefiting from exposure to essential natural outdoor light. The result of this change has been severe in many cases due to spending more and more time under the type of lights which are missing that portion of the sun’s spectrum which is important in triggering proper melatonin secretion. It is estimated that over 38 million North Americans feel the effects of malillumination causing poor work conditions which can result in less energy and productiveness. There is convincing research that poor lighting environments can produce increased depression and even result in more severe cases called S.A.D. or "Seasonal Affective Disorder." This problem increases more and more as the winter months bring shorter and shorter days. "Sunlight Starvation" also affects millions more in the form of a milder version called the "Winter Blues". Since 1978 researchers and scientists world wide have documented the successful use of bright light therapy as a significant antidepressant. According to the Dec 8th, 1993 issue of The Journal of the American Medical Association, for many patients with S.A.D., light therapy should be regarded as first-line treatment. Light therapy is endorsed by the American Psychiatric Assoc. and the National Institute of Mental Health. Your insurance carrier may reimburse the cost of this purchase if prescribed by your therapist.

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LIGHT: an element in the ergonomics of learning

Malillumination vs. Posillumination “Malillumination” is to “light” as “malnutrition” is to “food”. By Laurence D. Martel, Ph.D. President National Academy of Integrative Learning, Inc. Hilton Head Island, S. C. www.intellearn.org
There is a wealth of research indicating that the ergonomics of an environment significantly improve or retard individual and group learning performance. These elements include light, sound enhancement, color, room design, temperature, and instructional design and energy distribution. What follows is a discussion on the element of “light” as a contributor to the enhancement of learning performance and achievement. (I draw heavily from the brilliant and sensitive work of Dr. Jacob Liberman and encourage you to read his book Light: Medicine of the Future (Bear and Co. 1991), for an in-depth discussion and analysis of the research referenced in the following overview.) “Malillumination” is the term coined by pioneer light researcher, Dr. John Ott, to describe sunlight deficiency and the negative, harmful effects of artificial pink or cool-white fluorescent lighting on behavior, learning, health, hardiness and longevity. On the other hand, “Posillumination” is the term I have chosen to refer to those simulated sunlight environments, about which an overwhelming body of research shows the positive impact of simulated sunlight (full spectrum lighting and color) on human behavior, learning, health, hardiness and longer life. Schools, classrooms and other work environments where people spend time learning and working under simulated sunlight (full spectrum lighting and color) experience less stress and anxiety, improved behavior and attitudes, improved health and attendance, and increased performance and academic achievement. Research in the use of light in schools has shown that cool-white fluorescent bulbs, (which are used in virtually all classrooms) cause: bodily stress, anxiety, hyper-activity, attention problems and other distress leading to poor learning performance. Titoff, 1999, concluded in his research that “There was a statistically significant difference between the students who worked under old-style fluorescent lights and those who worked under full-spectrum, visually-efficient lighting.” This controlled study verified that depression was lowered among those students who experienced learning under full-spectrum lighting. Also, depression actually increased under standard fluorescent lights among the fourth graders. As an elementary school principal, William Titoff conducted research for his Ph.D. dissertation and discovered that when the project was completed, “the teachers with the full-spectrum lighting refused to let me take it out and put back the old-style fluorescent bulbs.” Harmon, l938, found that over 4000 children developed observable deficiencies associated with Malillumination. In the late 1940's conditions of the learning environment (lighting, seating and decor) were instituted in schools, resulting in the following student improvements: 65% reduction in visual difficulties, 47.8% decline in nutritional problems, 43.3% reduction in chronic infections, 25.6% reduction in postural problems and, finally, 55.6% decline in chronic fatigue. Ott, 1960, first discovered that mice lived an average of seven to eight months under pink and daylight-white fluorescent lights; whereas those mice living under natural, unfiltered daylight lived twice as long and were hardier. In 1973, Ott studied four, first grade classes in Florida. Two classrooms were installed with full-spectrum, radiation-shielded fluorescent light fixtures, while the other two classrooms remained with the traditional cool-white fluorescent bulbs. In reporting the results of this study, Dr. Liberman stated that: “Concealed time-lapsed cameras took random sequences of students and teachers in the {four}classrooms. Although teachers were aware of the {research} program, neither they nor the students were aware of when they were being photographed. With cool-white fluorescent lighting, some students demonstrated hyperactivity, fatigue, irritability, and attention deficits. In the classrooms with full-spectrum lighting, however, behavior and classroom performance, as well as overall academic achievement, improved markedly within one month after the new lights were installed. Furthermore, several learning-disabled children with extreme hyperactivity problems miraculously calmed down and seemed to overcome some of their learning and reading problems while in classrooms with full-spectrum lighting. This study additionally demonstrated that children in rooms with full-spectrum lighting developed one-third of the number of cavities in their teeth as children in the classrooms with the standard cool-white fluorescent lights.” (Liberman, 1991) Hollwich, 1980, discovered that cool-white fluorescent lighting produced increased levels of stress producing hormones. Wohlfarth and Sam, 1981, studied, according to Liberman, “the combined impact of selected colors and full-spectrum lighting on the behavior and physiology of both blind children with severe behavioral disorders and sighted children with severe handicaps.” Under full-spectrum lighting, blood pressure dropped significantly and aggressive behavior reduced significantly. However, when the lights were replaced with standard cool-white fluorescent bulbs, blood pressure increased and aggressive and disorderly conduct increased. And, the blind children were equally as affected as those with sight. Liberman honestly laments that “For years we have been labeling and re-labeling children who appear to have difficulties we do not understand. We test and tutor them continually, only to find out that they are usually very bright but that for some reason outside of our understanding they do not achieve in the expected manner within the traditional learning environment. Although the labels for these children have changed from dumb, stupid and lazy to dyslexic, minimally brain dysfunctioned, and learning disabled, the labels nonetheless scar them for life....” How many must suffer before we realize that stupidity is a learned behavior; that the giftedness in each individual can be tapped and developed under optimal learning ergonomics, including the strategic use of “Posillumination” and the elimination of “Malillumination”? Schools and classrooms, along with corporations and community organizations, across the country and abroad have gained award winning significant increases in student learning achievement as measured by a variety of standards. This has resulted because of an effective change in the ergonomics of learning, including changes in the elements of light, sound enhancement, room design, temperature, color, instructional design and energy distribution.

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Light emitting diodes, commonly called LEDs, are real unsung heroes in the electronics world. They do dozens of different jobs and are found in all kinds of devices. Among other things, they form the numbers on digital clocks, transmit information from remote controls, light up watches and tell you when your appliances are turned on. Collected together, they can form images on a jumbo television screen or illuminate a traffic light.

Basically, LEDs are just tiny light bulbs that fit easily into an electrical circuit. But unlike ordinary incandescent bulbs, they don't have a filament that will burn out, and they don't get especially hot. They are illuminated solely by the movement of electrons in a semiconductor material, and they last just as long as a standard transistor.

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Reasons to use LED’s

- An LED light bulb can last you up to 30,000 hours. That averages out to 6 hours of light per day for 12 years.

- Save money on electricity.LED light bulbs are so energy efficient that, depending on how often you have them on, they'll actually pay for themselves in just over a year.They use only 2-10 watts of electricity (1/3rd to 1/30th of Incandescent or CFL)

- The best way to conserve energy is to use less of it. LED light bulbs are directional - which means that they only put the light where you aim it or where you need it. Incandescent bulbs, on the other hand, just sit there and throw their glow all over the place - wasting electricity and generating heat.

- LED light bulbs run cool, so they're safer to use than fragile, burning hot halogen and incandescent bulbs.

- LEDs turn on instantly - which has been a big benefit in car brake lights and is also a welcome feature when testing lights in a dark basement.

- LEDs do not use mercury like CFLs - so disposal concerns aren't the same.

- Instant on/off.Unlike CFL’s, they don’t require a ‘warm-up’ period to attain full brightness.

- Work in cold weather.Some CFL’s will flicker or produce a reduced brightness in lower temperature.

- LED’s will work with sensor activated lighting circuits.

- Recent studies suggest that the light produced by LED light bulbs can help people stay more alert. Visit www.sciencenews.org/articles/20060520/bob9.asp for details.

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LED Energy Efficiency

Here's how LED light bulbs compare to ordinary bulbs: A regular 40 Watt incandescent bulb burns through a lot more energy than it needs to produce the light you see. Remember those toy ovens that used an incandescent light bulb to bake brownies? A large percentage of the energy that goes into a 40 Watt bulb is wasted as heat - great for baking brownies, not so great for conserving electricity and saving money. LED light bulbs, on the other hand, generate very little heat as they glow, instead transferring most of their energy directly into light.

The latest LED light bulbs now produce about the same amount of light per watt as compact fluorescent bulbs (CFL). However, unlike incandescent bulbs and CFLs, which splash light in all directions, LED bulbs are directional. They drive their light in one direction, so that you have light exactly where you want it. This directional lighting equals savings in yet another fashion. LEDs don't waste light (energy) on areas you don't need illuminated, which is also why they're perfect task lights.

Prior to the introduction of LED light bulbs, if you wanted to use a low watt (less than 4 watts) bulb for ambient lighting, you had to settle for a hard-to-find, expensive, incandescent light or an unsightly florescent. Current LED bulbs are designed to fit standard bases, range from 0.85 to 7.3 watts, and are made for low light situations. In addition to low wattage, you get the bonus of long life and energy efficiency, which all adds up to a 90% savings over standard bulbs

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Applications for LED’s:

1) Heavy Vibration Areas:

In a garage or basement under heavy foot traffic, incandescent bulbs are just too fragile to last very long. Too much vibration and the filament breaks and you're left with darkness or the hassle of changing another bulb. Not so with LED light bulbs. Since LED light bulbs have no filament, there's nothing to rattle apart and break. So they'll not only save you money in the cost of bulb replacement, they'll save you the trouble of climbing onto a chair or rickety ladder to swap out that incandescent bulb that keeps burning out.

2) In your Home:

LED light bulbs bring a white light into a room. Unlike the yellow light we're so used to seeing from incandescent bulbs, the white light cast by LEDs is closer to the color temperature of daylight. The white light of LEDs is easier on your eyes and also provides the added benefit of lifting your mood in the summer and winter time. The white light also mixes in wonderfully with ordinary lights around your home or workplace, and it's a great light to read by.

3) For Reading:

Use an LED light bulb in a task or reading light, and you'll have a bright, white light to work by. LEDs not only produce light more efficiently, they have a tiny mirror that reflects light in one direction. A directed light means less wasted light.

4) Ceiling Cans:

Ceiling cans (or recessed lighting) have become one of the most common styles of lighting for homes in the U.S. They are typically installed in groups simply for symmetry. Ceiling cans are an ideal place for LED light bulbs and provide exceptional ambient lighting.

Here is a typical set up of ceiling cans. During the construction of a home, the number of cans contractors install is based solely on providing balance. After you have moved in and arranged your furniture, take a step back and dissect your room. Are there areas where you do not need or want the excess light produced by an incandescent bulb, such as in a can light over a window? Would low level lighting be more appropriate and desirable in that location? If so, then this is a great place for a LED lamp. This energy efficient bulb provides ambience and brings dynamic lighting to a room, yet it looks like an ordinary bulb. With just a little planning you will have light where you need it and you will get paid back handsomely for you efforts - with a 90% savings on the bulb you replaced.

5) Porch/Outdoor LED Lighting

LED light bulbs cost just pennies a day to run, so they are perfect for those always-on or accidentally-left-on lights like on porches. Since they last up to 30,000 hours, LED light bulbs are also great for those hard-to-reach places where it's difficult or dangerous to change the light bulb. LED’s are also not sensitive to dramatic temperatures like compact fluorescents can be.

6) Art Lighting

LEDs emit monochromatic light therefore any harmful ultra-violet or infra-red light has been eliminated making them safe to illuminate paintings and other types of art. The bluish color of LED light bulbs adds a whole new and exciting dimension to artwork.

7) LED Night Lights

Nightlights should be cheap to operate, and the bulbs should last a long time — which is why LED’s are perfect for this application. They run cool, won’t shatter like glass bulbs, and are super energy efficient — using less than 1 watt of power @ 120 Volts and lasts up to 30,000 hours.

8) At Work

Using LEDs at work can save money while maintaining good lighting. However, it requires thought and some basic change. Most work areas need at least two types of lighting:

Light to navigate the work space safely.
Light to carry out the task at hand (task lighting).

Since LED light bulbs are directional, they are perfect for task lighting. With a little planning and experimentation, once you achieve the setup that is right for the job the only difference you will notice will be the 90% savings on your electric bill. At work, LED light bulbs can be real money and headache-savers. Install them in hard-to-reach areas to cut down on maintenance costs, or in areas where a vibration-resistant light is of the essence - like in an emergency corridor, in a workshop, or down by a fuse box.

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Why do LED light bulbs cost more than CFL’s or incandescents?

LED light bulbs are not like ordinary lights. Not only do they last thousands of hours longer than incandescent bulbs and cost less money to run, they also produce a cool white light that's more pleasant around the house and at work.

If you've got ceiling cans, take a look at where they aim their light. Do all those lights in the ceiling really need to be hot-burning, yellow lights? Or are there a few spots up there where it's just the balance of fixtures that called for a can to be installed? If there's a spot like that in your ceiling, it's an ideal place to put an LED spotlight. With LED light bulbs you can create your own lighting design for your home. Best of all, when you install an LED light bulb you're instantly saving money on your electricity. LED light bulbs are also perfect as that always-on light you use around your home. No matter how long you keep it on, it's only warm to the touch (not burning hot like standard bulbs) and it won't use a lot of electricity.

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LEDs and the Future

As different states adopt different energy efficiency policies, you'll see more and more incentives for using LED light bulbs in your home. Some states even offer rebate programs that might even help you offset the cost of installing LED light bulbs in more places throughout your home

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FRESH² Ti Odor Eliminating Bulbs

The world’ first “fresh bulb”; a light bulb that eliminates odors. Fresh²Ti is more than just a light bulb. It’s a fresh bulb– a revolutionary new product that breaks down odors while providing energy-efficient light. Simply turn on your light and Fresh²Ti begins eliminating odors in just 10

minutes! Making it ideal for restrooms, closets, workout rooms and damp-smelling areas. And Fresh²Ti will continue to break down odors for up to three years. Plus, since it's a compact fluorescent spring lamp, its power to light a room will last for 10,000 hours – saving you hundreds in deodorizing systems and up to 75% in energy costs.

How Does it Work?

In short, the titanium dioxide coating on Fresh²Ti creates a photocatalytic reaction when exposed to the fluorescent light produced by the bulb. This reaction releases electrons, or negatively charged particles. At the same time, a positively charged hole is formed in its place. This combination of negative and positive creates a very strong oxidizer called the hydroxide radical. Odors that come into contact with the positively charged holes are broken down by these oxidizers into odorless compounds.

Features and Benefits

Cleans air for three years
Light bulb has 10,000-hour average rated life; lasts 13 times longer than comparable incandescent bulbs
Replace less often, ideal for hard-to-reach places
Lower maintenance costs for lamp replacements
2700K Color temperature closest to incandescent light
Instant start, flicker-free
Compact size fits anywhere a standard incandescent fits
End-of-life logic guards against violent failures
World-class phosphor insures high lumen output and excellent lumen maintenance

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Cold Cathode Light Bulb

A cold cathode light is a tubular light that works by passing an electrical current through a gas or vapor, much like neon lighting. Cold cathode lights can come in many sizes and colors, and there are many advantages over neon and fluorescent lighting.

The first advantage is that cold cathode lights do not get hot. They are also used for decorative lighting and to modify the interior and sometimes the exterior of cars, most often the undercarriage.

A cold cathode light is up to five times brighter than neon lighting, and it has one of the longest lives of any lighting fixture at 25,000 hours or greater. Unlike incandescent bulbs, the longevity of one of these lights is not shortened by the repeated action of turning it off and on.

For architectural and design purposes, cold cathode lights are ideal. Cold cathode lights take as little as 7.5 watts of electricity per 1 foot (.3 meters) and are flicker-free. The instant power is supplied the cathode tube illuminates to its full brightness and remains so until the power is cut.

For all of its flexibility of design options, longevity, brightness, color and cool temperature, cold cathode light is finding its way into nearly every aspect of life.

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Four key ways to improve your home's indoor air quality:

1. Identify sources of indoor air pollution. Awareness and information are the keys to better understanding indoor air quality. Eliminating smoking indoors, cleaning regularly and maintaining your HVAC equipment properly are good first steps to removing contaminants in your home.

2. Provide adequate ventilation.Start by removing contaminants with a quiet bathroom fan and a ducted kitchen range hood. Next, dilute contaminants to an acceptable level with a whole-house continuous ventilation system (Air Exchanger). Rapidly eliminating contaminants at the source lessens the possibility of dissipation throughout your home. A constant exchange of stale air with fresh air provides a more healthy, comfortable home. Broan offers a broad range of solutions that will suit your whole-house needs.

3. Filter incoming outside air with a whole-house air cleaning system. Using a filtration system in your home will lower the concentration of dust, pollen and other particulates from indoor air. Proper filter maintenance is important to sustain performance.

4. Control indoor humidity. While humidity is not a pollutant, it can create a range of problems, from health concerns to structural problems. Maintain indoor relative humidity between 40 to 60 percent to minimize mold, mildew and other possible hazards.

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Home Ventilation Q&A’s

What is a sone, and how is it measured?

A sone is a measurement of sound in terms of comfortable hearing level for an average listener. The lower the sone value, the more comfortable the listening environment. Sones are not decibels or volume, but rather how sound is “sensed.” One sone is the equivalent of a quiet refrigerator.

What does CFM mean?

CFM is the acronym for Cubic Feet per Minute — the measure of air volume moved by the fan blower. Choose a fan with a CFM rating appropriate for your room size to ensure adequate ventilation.

What is continuous ventilation?

Continuous ventilation provides today’s airtight homes with a relatively constant and controlled lower level of ventilation. Extremely quiet and efficient Ultra Silent type fans is ideally suited for these applications.

Can I mount ventilation fans above my tub and shower?

Most fans are rated for use over a shower or bathtub with a GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit

Interrupter).

Can my bath fan be surrounded by insulation?

Yes. Most bath fans are designed to provide adequate cooling for motors

and lighting, as well as products with integral heaters.

Will a bath fan or wall-mount utility fan serve as a range hood?

No. Range hoods are specifically designed to handle grease and high temperature environments. Bath fans supplement odor and moisture removal in the kitchen, but are not intended for use as a range hood.

What does “static pressure” mean?

Static pressure is the measurement of airflow resistance as it is pushed through ductwork which reduces the effectiveness of the fan. Learn more on the Home Ventilating Institute web site www.hvi.org.

How long should a bath fan run after a shower is used?

The Home Ventilating Institute recommends that a fan should be left on for 20 minutes more to clear humidity adequately and to ensure moisture and condensation in the fan body or ducting is minimized.

What should I do if I can’t wait for moisture to clear, but I don’t want a fan to run all day long?

There are many styles of wall timers or humidity sensors that detect the humidity rise caused by a shower and turn on automatically – when moisture has cleared it turns off.

What are the timer features?

Delay-off timers automatically shut your fan off after a specified time interval. It’s a nice feature in high traffic bathrooms where you may wish to let the fan run to clear moisture adequately. A timer counts down the minutes of fan operation selected by the user.

Where should the exhaust fan be located?

Exhaust fans should be located in or near the shower or tub, and in an enclosed water closet. Keep exhaust points opposite the supply air source to ensure that the fresh air is drawn through the room. Bathroom doors should not be sealed too tightly at the bottom in order to allow “makeup air” to enter the room when the door is closed.

Where is the exhaust outlet on the ventilation fan?

The exhaust outlet is the point where air is discharged through the body of the fan housing into the ductwork. During installation, orient your fan with the exhaust outlet pointing toward the exit vent on your roof or wall to minimize turns in ductwork that impede airflow.

Why do the windows and mirrors fog even when the fan is running?

If windows and mirrors are very cold, condensation can still form on these surfaces. Andif your bathroom is sealed tightly, replacement air may not be entering the room fast enough to displace the moist air. Be sure to undercut your door sufficiently to draw fresh air into the room. Fan placement can also be a factor. Your fan should be located far from the replacement air source to ensure the moist air is drawn out first. Finally, too many twists and turns in the ducting will significantly reduce the ability of the blower to remove moist air. Make sure your ductwork is as short and straight as it can be, with gradual turns rather than tight corners where necessary.

Why is water dripping from the grille of the fan?

Dripping water is either condensation (usually due to cold ductwork or improper duct installation), or a problem with the seal on a wall or roof vent. Insulated ductwork can help solve condensation problems, and running the fan longer will ensure moisture is completely removed from the duct. Ductwork should slope down toward a wall vent to direct condensation out of the exterior vent opening rather than back into the fan housing.

Can I use an inline or multi-port fan in one large bathroom?

Yes, this works the best for large rooms because you can install the ports over the areas where the ventilation is needed the most (source control). The size of the multi-port would be determined by the size of the room.

Does a duct-free bath fan expel air?

No. A duct-free fan is not a ventilating device. It does not remove air from the room.

Can larger diameter ducting be used with my bath fan?

Yes, larger diameters will result in improved performance.

Can I use a smaller diameter duct than what the fan is designed for?

This is not recommended. It will cause the fan to run harder, greatly reducing the CFM performance of the fan and create excess noise.

What type of duct is recommended, rigid or flexible?

It is recommended, where possible, to use rigid duct. It has less resistance to air flow and allows the fan to operate much more efficiently. If aluminum flexible duct is used, be sure the duct is as straight as possible.

Can I exhaust my fan into my attic instead of out the roof or wall?

Never exhaust air into spaces within walls, ceilings, attics, crawl spaces or garages. Humidity may damage the structure and insulation.

What type of exhaust fan is best for a sauna or hot tub area?

High CFM-rated devices are normally recommended for this type of application.

Can I use a fan in a steam shower?

No. Since these are normally sealed chambers, a vacuum will be created.

Can I vent more than one bath fan out of a roof or wall cap?

No. Always follow the manufacturer’s recommended ventilation requirements.

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Indoor Air Quality Facts and Information

Insulation advancements, whole-house wraps and airtight doors and windows are proven construction solutions to help manage your heating and cooling budget. However, they also affect the quality of your indoor air. While tightly sealed doors and windows keep the heat and cold from entering the home, they also trap stale air inside. Fresh air ventilation is critical for odor, moisture, and carbon dioxide removal. Odors and gases cannot be removed by filtration systems alone and can make indoor air 100 times more polluted than outside air. A place of comfort and security can become an unhealthy environment.Some common sources for diminished air quality are: Kitchen: Cooking pollutants, carbonmonoxide from gas cooktops, waste bin odors, cleaning chemical fumes Bathroom: odors, window condensation, mold and mildew, aerosol fumes Living Room: dust and dander on furniture and carpets, carpet cleaning fumes and particles, fireplace smoke and ash Bedroom: dust and dander on sheets and carpets, odors, fumes from dry cleaning and other solvents Attic: Insulation fibers, construction dust

It is recommended to adhere to the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-

Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) Standard 62.2, “Ventilation and Acceptable Indoor Air Quality in Low-Rise Residential Buildings.” To ensure healthy and comfortable indoor air quality, be sure your ventilation system meets this standard.

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Improving Indoor Air Quality

Eliminating or minimizing sources of indoor air pollution.

Awareness and information are the keys to better understanding indoor air quality. Eliminating smoking indoors and regularly cleaning and maintaining your HEPA* equipment are good first steps to removing contaminants in your home.

Intermittent and Whole-house ventilation. Proper ventilation has two main components.

Intermittent ventilation removes pollutants at the source through manually operated bathroom fans and kitchen range hoods. Rapidly eliminating humidity and contaminants at the source lessens the possibility of dissipation throughout the home. Continuous whole-house ventilation continually removes and dilutes pollutants not captured by intermittent ventilation. This constant exchange of fresh air provides for a more healthy and comfortable home.

Filter incoming outside air with a whole-house air cleaning system. Using a HEPA* filtration system with antimicrobial protection will lower the airborne concentration of dust, pollen and other particulates. HEPA* is different from electronic air cleaners that typically produce ozone, which itself is classified as a pollutant. And, portable air cleaners have been cited as ineffective by leading consumer safety organizations.

Control indoor humidity. While humidity is not a pollutant, it can create a range of problems, from health concerns to structural problems. Maintain indoor relative humidity between 40 to 60 percent to minimize mold, mildew and other possible hazards.

Choosing a Balanced Ventilation System

• Know the square footage of your home, and then select the appropriate model to meet fresh air volume needs.

• Heat recovery systems capture the heating or cooling energy you have already purchased and transfer it from the stale, outgoing air to the incoming fresh air.

• Energy recovery systems provide the additional benefit of humidity management. In humid climates, excess moisture from incoming fresh air is transferred to the outgoing stale air. In cold climates, desirable humidity from the outgoing stale air is transferred to the dry, incoming fresh air. You’ll keep humidity levels at the optimal 40% to 60%.

• If dust, allergens or dander cause discomfort, choose a balanced ventilation model to introduce fresh air and provide HEPA* filtration with antimicrobial protection. Our Broan HEPA models are available with heat, or energy recovery systems.

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