My bathroom fan has gotten really noisy! I think it's over 10 years old. Is there anyway to repair it, or would it be better to buy a new one? Also, it is a round unit with a light in the middle- do they come in standard sizes so I won't have to cut out a new opening or change the opening for the fan? If I wanted a rectangular one, is there a way to patch the ceiling wallboard? Thanks for any advice. Sis
Most bath fans are junk. They have cheap motors and a noisy design. They appeal to builders since few people ask or think about the quality of an exhaust fan when buying a new home and they save a few dollars.
While you might be able to repair one, chances are it will be easier and less expensive to replace it.
Not all such fans are the same size. I just replaced one and had to enlarge the hole. Both had a light. I replaced the one I had with a higher capacity, higher quality quieter model. This one is much quieter and handles much more air. I also suspect it will last longer. BTW I replaced it to reduce the noise and increase the air flow. The old one was still working.
The only hard part was getting to it as it was in an area that was not easy to get to from above.
that will work
See if you can find what you need here. The Panasonic fans are the quietest I've heard, and I've been looking (listening) for a while. Patching wallboard is a snap - Google for that.
I know the DESPOT carries replacement motors and fans for some fans. If it is 10 years old you may have a problem finding an replacement. You might try Johnstone Supply. Johnstone sometimes carries more bits and pieces. Pray that the company is still in business and producing the product. You can check to see if there is a name attached to the unit. If all else fails and it might, then pull the motor/fan assembly and see how close you can get to it. May be time for a some modification to something that is close.
Yes there are standard outside dimensions. 6-8-10 inches are all units I have seen. If you decide to change it out call someone to do it. Make sure that they will return the surface to the same condition that the rest of the ceiling is in. Which usually takes a drywaller, and or painter. Good news though the round ones would be the easiest to find parts for. Not like the square ones that are all unique.
We had a fan that was nearly 25 years old that sounded like it was grinding cheap hamburger meat. The thought of replacing the whole unit, probably with one of a different size, and especially in the dead of winter, was not real appealing, so I went online at the manufacturer's website and managed to buy only a replacement motor and the attached squirrel-cage fan. Installed it in about five minutes and it works great. It may not be a Panasonic, but for about $18 I'm not complaining. Pretty quiet too.
While your technical explanation is more correct, my meaning was to describe a benign noise. I think of the sound of the ocean, babbling brooks, crickets chirping; that sort of thing. Noise that's not obnoxious....
In the bathroom, I'd think the whirring sound of a spinning fan would help cover up the more obnoxious bodily noises, assuming the fan's bearings were healthy.
Why would anyone want complete silence? I think of people I know who can't take a dump without turning the faucet on full blast...
This might not apply to yours, but worth a try.
8 years ago, my bathroom fan slows down to stand still. I open it up and pump lots of WD-40 in and use stick to help it moves. Once it moves, it moves like a beauty.8 Years later, it still runn =>My bathroom fan has gotten really noisy! I think it's over 10 years old. Is =>there anyway to repair it, or would it be better to buy a new one? Also, it =>is a round unit with a light in the middle- do they come in standard sizes =>so I won't have to cut out a new opening or change the opening for the fan? =>If I wanted a rectangular one, is there a way to patch the ceiling =>wallboard? Thanks for any advice. Sis =>
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