VERY quiet ceiling mounted (min IP X4) bathroom fan recommendations?

[HappyHippyDad]

My very well off customer wants the most quiet ceiling mounted extractor fan there is. They have stipulated that cost is not a barrier and they just want something quiet.

I have used one extremely quiet fan in the past, but it simply didn't do it's job, so that's pointless. This fan still needs to be able to extract.

IPX4 as a minimum as it will be in Zone 2.

An in-line fan is not an option unfortunately as there is no space above.

Any recommendations?

Cheers

 

[Avo Mk8]

Went looking last year for similar for a shower room. Ended up with a noisy one!
This looks a possibility, no personal experience though:

Airflow Quietair QT100T 100mm Silent Timer Fan

Buy the Airflow QT100T Quietair fan online at low prices with quick delivery from Fastlec.

www.fastlec.co.uk

25dB is indeed quiet!

 

[nicebutdim]

Recently been looking at humidistat timer fans that run quietly, for the very same reason. Silent Tornado had caught my attention, but I'll be interested in seeing what others are recommended.

 

[SJD]

You have to be careful when buying a fan that claims it is quiet, as some are dual speed, and are only quiet on the low speed setting, when not so much air is moved!

 

[123]

Envirovent Silent S100T is the quietest I've used lately, but nearly sure the Manrose continuous running fan is quieter - even in boost mode. But it's been a while since I installed one so can't quite remember what it was like in boost noise wise.

 

[HappyHippyDad]

Envirovent Silent S100T is the quietest I've used lately, but nearly sure the Manrose continuous running fan is quieter - even in boost mode. But it's been a while since I installed one so can't quite remember what it was like in boost noise wise.

Is the Envirovent the one with 2 speeds? The slow speed being incredibly quiet, almost silent, yet extracting hardly anything? I might be getting this mixed up with another fan.

 

[HappyHippyDad]

Went looking last year for similar for a shower room. Ended up with a noisy one!
This looks a possibility, no personal experience though:

Airflow Quietair QT100T 100mm Silent Timer Fan

Buy the Airflow QT100T Quietair fan online at low prices with quick delivery from Fastlec.

www.fastlec.co.uk

25dB is indeed quiet!

Looks and sounds good. But..... not tried and tested!
If I buy it, I'll let you know what it's like.

 

[nicebutdim]

You have to be careful when buying a fan that claims it is quiet, as some are dual speed, and are only quiet on the low speed setting, when not so much air is moved!

Low speed is proably where it needs to be silent, when it decides to run at 3am.

 

[Pretty Mouth]

What's the length/type/route of ducting?

Any more than a short length of ducting, you'll find axial fans aren't really up to the job. Centrifugal fans are much better for long runs, but will likely create more noise. An inline mixflow fan will be both quiet and powerful, but it sounds like this isn't an option.

I'm not sure there's a easy solution to this problem.

 

[brianmoooore]

There's always space for an inline fan somewhere, with a little ingenuity. Came across one once jammed across the cavity, that could be accessed by taking off the outside grill.
It didn't survive the remedials after my EICR, but I'm not sure what specifically I failed it for.

 

[WallaceP]

If fitted this before, and if I didn't have the cover on when it was running I would have sworn it wasnt on.

VASF100T 100mm 4" Silent Fan with Timer

Silent bathroom fan [from only 12dB[A]]

www.cef.co.uk

 

[Jim_e_Jib]

If fitted this before, and if I didn't have the cover on when it was running I would have sworn it wasnt on.

VASF100T 100mm 4" Silent Fan with Timer

Silent bathroom fan [from only 12dB[A]]

www.cef.co.uk

A second for this one - I fiited one in our bathroom and it is quiet.

 

[123]

Is the Envirovent the one with 2 speeds? The slow speed being incredibly quiet, almost silent, yet extracting hardly anything? I might be getting this mixed up with another fan.

Not the S100T (link), it's just a standard timer over run fan. The Manrose one (sorry no part number) doesn't have great extraction rates but got to bear in mind it also runs 24/7. I've not fitted an Envirovent continuous running one, only Manrose, Vent Axia (and pulled a good few of them out faulty), and National Ventilation (which for some reason have the fan blades exposed, really not a fan of that fan {boom boom!}).

 

[nicebutdim]

The most annoying aspect of 'silent' fans is that quoted sound pressure levels don't take into account the different speeds these fans can run at. Realistically you'll want to clear humidity fairly quickly, so it's not going to be set at 6l/s on a basic over run timer, which I assume is the extraction provided by Vent Axia fans running at a whisper quiet 12dB. Others extract more on their low setting, but again I assume the 25dB quoted for several of these doesn't cover higher extraction rates - why don't manufacturers provide these figures?

It's a subject I return to from time to time and invariably defer purchase due to confusion stemming from lack of information. How quiet will they be, while being set up in a practical enough manner to do their job? Do I want humidistat or humidistat with continuous trickle operation? I've no idea and can't help wondering if an inline fan could be squeezed into a (slightly less than) 8" gap, rather than to one side with extended ducting.


Edit: Just looked at reviews for Vent Axia 'silent' humidistat fans and most agree that on low speed they are indeed almost silent, but quite a few suggest that all hell breaks loose on their faster setting

 

[WallaceP]

The most annoying aspect of 'silent' fans is that quoted sound pressure levels don't take into account the different speeds these fans can run at. Realistically you'll want to clear humidity fairly quickly, so it's not going to be set at 6l/s on a basic over run timer, which I assume is the extraction provided by Vent Axia fans running at a whisper quiet 12dB. Others extract more on their low setting, but again I assume the 25dB quoted for several of these doesn't cover higher extraction rates - why don't manufacturers provide these figures?

It's a subject I return to from time to time and invariably defer purchase due to confusion stemming from lack of information. How quiet will they be, while being set up in a practical enough manner to do their job? Do I want humidistat or humidistat with continuous trickle operation? I've no idea and can't help wondering if an inline fan could be squeezed into a (slightly less than) 8" gap, rather than to one side with extended ducting.


Edit: Just looked at reviews for Vent Axia 'silent' humidistat fans and most agree that on low speed they are indeed almost silent, but quite a few suggest that all hell breaks loose on their faster setting

The problem is straight forward data is not great for marketing and that is the unfortunate world we live in. There is only so quiet a fan can be while moving air with standard blade geometry and as far as I am aware the really high end blade designs found in other applications have not made their way into the humble bathroom fan.

 

[nicebutdim]

Ordered a couple of Blauberg Calm 100 H. 97m3/h extraction and 25dB.

Maybe we can get a thread together with recommendations for a whole range of quiet extractor fans

 

[Vortigern]

Realistically, I don't think such a thing exists. I would tell the customer they are crying for the moon. Even if you get a quiet one, later on it starts making more noise. It is just plain unrealistic to offer to customers something that just does not exist. I am happy to be proved wrong on this.

 

[nicebutdim]

Realistically, I don't think such a thing exists. I would tell the customer they are crying for the moon. Even if you get a quiet one, later on it starts making more noise. It is just plain unrealistic to offer to customers something that just does not exist. I am happy to be proved wrong on this.

The main difference seems to be in the bearing, although I'm sure there are some other differences in design. Regardless; the cheap junk fitted in this house are only a few dB below an old diesel engine starting in cold weather and any reduction in noise will be welcome.

 

[DPG]

The main difference seems to be in the bearing, although I'm sure there are some other differences in design. Regardless; the cheap junk fitted in this house are only a few dB below an old diesel engine starting in cold weather and any reduction in noise will be welcome.

Keep us posted. I want to change one of mine. Not necessarily ultra quiet, but I need a decent flow rate.

 

[nicebutdim]

Keep us posted. I want to change one of mine. Not necessarily ultra quiet, but I need a decent flow rate.

Will do and @HappyHippyDad should soon have something to report about the Airflow Quietair

 

[nicebutdim]

2x Blauberg 'Calm 100H' fitted.

Are they as quiet as 25dB? I don't believe they are. The sound level meter app I downloaded this morning doesn't appear to be particularly accurate, but it does indicate a reasonable reduction in noise. Perhaps they are 'whisper quiet', but I'd place them at the louder end of the whisper range.

The ensuite fan seems slightly quieter than its predecessor (original wasn't too bad), but the difference is more more apparent from outside the room.

Main bathroom fan is much quieter than its predecessor (the noisey one) and difference outside the room is vast.

I suspect the actual noise created by fan operation is little different between old and new and that the real difference is reduced vibration. I'm most definitely happy with these fans and the noise difference in the house, but am glad I paid £47 each and didn't go with other options costing 2-3 times as much.

What interests me most is how the humidistat operation pans out and I suspect there'll be a few adjustments to be made.

On the installation side, they're a bit of a pain and have a small sealed compartment about the size that Aico provide on their detectors, with cable grip about 15mm back from terminations.

 

[DPG]

2x Blauberg 'Calm 100H' fitted.

Are they as quiet as 25dB? I don't believe they are. The sound level meter app I downloaded this morning doesn't appear to be particularly accurate, but it does indicate a reasonable reduction in noise. Perhaps they are 'whisper quiet', but I'd place them at the louder end of the whisper range.

The ensuite fan seems slightly quieter than its predecessor (original wasn't too bad), but the difference is more more apparent from outside the room.

Main bathroom fan is much quieter than its predecessor (the noisey one) and difference outside the room is vast.

I suspect the actual noise created by fan operation is little different between old and new and that the real difference is reduced vibration. I'm most definitely happy with these fans and the noise difference in the house, but am glad I paid £47 each and didn't go with other options costing 2-3 times as much.

What interests me most is how the humidistat operation pans out and I suspect there'll be a few adjustments to be made.

On the installation side, they're a bit of a pain and have a small sealed compartment about the size that Aico provide on their detectors, with cable grip about 15mm back from terminations.

Good info thanks. Keep us posted on the humidistat side of things!

 

[nicebutdim]

I should have added that reduction in noise is accompanied by a siginifcantly greater rate of extraction.

 

[DPG]

I should have added that reduction in noise is accompanied by a siginifcantly greater rate of extraction.

Fundamental physics I suppose. Like people who expect full range performance from small speakers. I'll post a picture of my 1970s Wharfedale Kingsdales at some point. Loveliness!

 

[nicebutdim]

Fundamental physics I suppose. Like people who expect full range performance from small speakers. I'll post a picture of my 1970s Wharfedale Kingsdales at some point. Loveliness!

Unless I've picked you up wrongly, it's the opposite - less noise and more airflow.

 

[DPG]

Unless I've picked you up wrongly, it's the opposite - less noise and more airflow.

Same but different? Not sure. I've had a few ales tonight with the Mrs so accuracy is not my strong point.

 

[telectrix]

I just open the window and the door. totally silent and no leccy costs.

 

[nicebutdim]

I just open the window and the door. totally silent and no leccy costs.

Windows locked open all day in better weather and trickle vents open during the day through colder months. In my view that should be sufficient, but kids take long showers/baths at odd hours. I'd sooner pay for a couple of new fans, along low ongoing costs for electricity, than deal with the effects of excess moisture in a hermetically sealed modern home.

 

[telectrix]

but kids take long showers/baths at odd hours.

canal is open 24/7, 365 days. get the kids to grow some balls.

 

[nicebutdim]

Revisiting this as I was quite harsh in that initial assessment. The noise reduction is stark - I still don't believe they're as quiet as 25dB, but they're much quiter than previous fans and most noise is from air being extracted. From outside the bathrooms they can barely be heard and from more than a few feet outside their operation is barely preceptible.

On a different note, the humidistats are fantastic. First couple of days they seemed to operate for longer, which suggests some residual moisture in the rooms - no damp, but obviosuly more moisture than expected. Since then they've worked flawlessly - they come on quickly when shower or bath is running and do their thing for as long as necessary. Humidistats are set at 60%, which I thought might be too ambitious for winter in NI, but that's worked out well and I like the idea of moist air being efficiently extracted.

Any news on the other fan, @HappyHippyDad ?

 

[DPG]

Revisiting this as I was quite harsh in that initial assessment. The noise reduction is stark - I still don't believe they're as quiet as 25dB, but they're much quiter than previous fans and most noise is from air being extracted. From outside the bathrooms they can barely be heard and from more than a few feet outside their operation is barely preceptible.

On a different note, the humidistats are fantastic. First couple of days they seemed to operate for longer, which suggests some residual moisture in the rooms - no damp, but obviosuly more moisture than expected. Since then they've worked flawlessly - they come on quickly when shower or bath is running and do their thing for as long as necessary. Humidistats are set at 60%, which I thought might be too ambitious for winter in NI, but that's worked out well and I like the idea of moist air being efficiently extracted.

Any news on the other fan, @HappyHippyDad ?

Thanks for the feedback. Very useful.

 

[123]

Revisiting this as I was quite harsh in that initial assessment. The noise reduction is stark - I still don't believe they're as quiet as 25dB, but they're much quiter than previous fans and most noise is from air being extracted. From outside the bathrooms they can barely be heard and from more than a few feet outside their operation is barely preceptible.

On a different note, the humidistats are fantastic. First couple of days they seemed to operate for longer, which suggests some residual moisture in the rooms - no damp, but obviosuly more moisture than expected. Since then they've worked flawlessly - they come on quickly when shower or bath is running and do their thing for as long as necessary. Humidistats are set at 60%, which I thought might be too ambitious for winter in NI, but that's worked out well and I like the idea of moist air being efficiently extracted.

Any news on the other fan, @HappyHippyDad ?

They have some interesting colours in those fans...did you go for the red one?

 

[nicebutdim]

They have some interesting colours in those fans...did you go for the red one?
View attachment 95207

Those look nice

Sort of thing that would have left me looking for somewhere new to live

 

[Steffano]

Is the Envirovent the one with 2 speeds? The slow speed being incredibly quiet, almost silent, yet extracting hardly anything? I might be getting this mixed up with another fan.

The environment infinity is a trickle fan which runs almost silent constantly then has a boost which can sound like a vulcan taking off in comparison

 

[Electric Magic]

Vent Axia Svara is supposed to be very quiet, is very powerful, and can be ceiling mounted. Expensive though and not sure what the max ducting run is.

 

[nicebutdim]

Vent Axia Svara is supposed to be very quiet, is very powerful, and can be ceiling mounted. Expensive though and not sure what the max ducting run is.

That's one which never appeared in my searches. Took a look at its specs, although wasn't expecting much, and was surprised to see a decent rate of extraction, along with low souund levels on its highest speed. Worth keeping in mind.

 

[OMGneophyte]

Useful thread

Has anyone experience of domus/silavent/polypipe humidistat pull switch ANC808A?

This claims smart humidity detection (AI, would you believe?), has override pullswitch, and can accept additional switched live. With 2.5A inductive load capacity sounds ok for an inline soler Palau fan - but is the humidistat really any better than eg Manrose one? They're considerably more pricy

 

[LukeD]

Ceiling mounted and quiet is a huge debate as its been mentioned in this thread.... the bets fans run at 2 speeds . I like the constant running Xpelairs . This brand seems to cover 99.9999999% of what i have ever used and clients like . Its about "Reality " and clients been made aware that only certain things in life tend to be possible . God didnt think about extractor fans !!. BIGGEST mistake... tight closing bathroom door . Fan is on a hiding to nothing . There has to be a airflow

 

[OMGneophyte]

Ceiling mounted and quiet is a huge debate as its been mentioned in this thread.... the bets fans run at 2 speeds . I like the constant running Xpelairs . This brand seems to cover 99.9999999% of what i have ever used and clients like . Its about "Reality " and clients been made aware that only certain things in life tend to be possible . God didnt think about extractor fans !!. BIGGEST mistake... tight closing bathroom door . Fan is on a hiding to nothing . There has to be a airflow

Good points

Fan not ceiling mounted but via cork blocks to roof trusses to diminish sound/vibration intrusion

Fan intended to run on demand (elevated humidity from shower, toilet flush) with overrun timer. Won't need long; extract rate 250cu m ph; room 7.6cu m

An airflow is needed, yup! Probably undercut door

 

[UNG]

I've always found quiet fans a bit of a compromise as they generally have a lower extract rate to keep the noise down so you end up with a larger fan and duct to achieve the end result of keeping the noise down while maintaining the extract rate needed

 

[LukeD]

Given the chance I always use a "Push pull " set up.2 x
fans , one pulling in and one extracting . Really works well in steamy bathrooms .Ok a bit noisy , but most of the time people are in a shower or making some noise themselves etc ..

 

[nicebutdim]

Definitely need to keep doors open when no one's in the rooms. One consideration that didn't occur to me was the fact that humidistat fans run as much in a few months as standard fans do in years - doesn't seem to trouble the fans I bought, but notice how quickly dust/hairspray (or whatever the other half sprays) builds up.

The push pull idea sounds okay if there's no window to open, but I can see humidistat fans running non-stop when outside humidity is high - maybe a heat recovery unit might work well in those situations?

 

[HappyHippyDad]

Will do and @HappyHippyDad should soon have something to report about the Airflow Quietair

Just rereading this thread. My customer has only just got around to needing/wanting the work done, so I am back researching fans. I'll update with whichever one I buy.

 

[123]

Given the chance I always use a "Push pull " set up.2 x
fans , one pulling in and one extracting . Really works well in steamy bathrooms .Ok a bit noisy , but most of the time people are in a shower or making some noise themselves etc ..

I've never once come across anything like this in a domestic bathroom. Is it something you'd install often?

 

[LukeD]

I've never once come across anything like this in a domestic bathroom. Is it something you'd install often?

Yes ! Given the opportunity .It gives a much better air exchange . The secret is to draw in the air from within the property so its not cold !

 

[Mike Johnson]

A lot has changed in the last year or so since the last post on this thread, these are the quietest fans I have found: Soler & Palau TD Silent In Line Fans - https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_Index/Ventilation_Index/Soler_TD_Silent/index.html and very effective they are too.

 

[brianmoooore]

Never had a noise problem with in line fans. Five out of the six fans in the holiday cottages are 'ordinary' 100mm in line types of two or three different makes, and all are so silent that it is difficult to be sure they're working, without either listening carefully or the toilet tissue test.

 

[suffolkspark]

A lot has changed in the last year or so since the last post on this thread, these are the quietest fans I have found: Soler & Palau TD Silent In Line Fans - https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_Index/Ventilation_Index/Soler_TD_Silent/index.html and very effective they are too.

Envirovent and s&p are the same fans, all their stuff seems crackin, function, aesthetics, price, im yet to find anything that is as well balanced