When is it advisable to install a bathroom extractor?

A bathroom extractor is a device that helps improve the ventilation in the home in general and in this area in particular. When we seek to eliminate odors in the house, in many cases this room is the focal point of the problem. It is important to enhance comfort and well-being in our homes with very specific small improvements, and one of them is to achieve a better environment in bathrooms.

What is a bathroom extractor and how does it work?

A bathroom extractor is a device that improves air quality inside that space. It runs on electricity, so when installing it, we must have a power outlet nearby. Among its advantages, we can highlight the following:

• Air circulates the room.
• Eliminates bad odors.
• Fights the appearance of mold and prevents condensation of air.
• Enhances air quality by preventing risks from inhaling the chemical substances used for cleaning.
• Encourages the proper maintenance of floors, walls, and furniture, especially wooden ones.
• Requires almost no maintenance and its durability is prolonged. It is enough to clean the dust that accumulates on it and in the grilles. It is also advisable to occasionally check the intake and exhaust openings.

When installing a bathroom extractor, we must consider these aspects:

• The extraction flow must be at least ten times greater than the volume of air in the room.
• It is important not to place it above the bathtub or shower. This could be dangerous. In addition, it is legally prohibited to do so unless the distance between them is greater than 2.25 meters.
• It should also not be located near doors, ventilation grilles, or radiators, as its effectiveness would be compromised.

There are a number of characteristics that give us an idea of the quality and performance of these devices. They are as follows:

• Extraction power. Its unit of measurement is cubic meters (m³/h).
• Noise. It is measured in decibels (dB). The most common ones usually present around 20 dB, making them quite silent.
• Electric consumption. The unit of measurement is watts (W). Consumption differences vary according to each machine's power, although they do not usually consume too much.
• Protection against humidity.
• Type of ignition. This can be one of four types: pull cord, standard, timer, and humidity sensor.

Who needs a bathroom extractor?

In most bathrooms, it is advisable to install one of these devices. However, depending on the ventilation and the amount of humidity generated, the required power may vary. But in what cases and circumstances is it advisable to use them?

If the bathroom is part of new construction or renovation, we must install one. This is regulated by the Technical Building Code (CTE). To optimize its operation, certain requirements must be met. For example, they must be placed more than ten centimeters from vertical corners and less than ten centimeters from the ceiling.

Therefore, it is mandatory in new homes and those undergoing rehabilitation. It is also highly recommended in closed spaces with high humidity. In any case, the CTE outlines the conditions that air quality must meet in these spaces.

In summary, a device of these characteristics is always advisable, especially when there is no natural ventilation. Its benefits are countless, and we just need to follow a series of requirements for its installation. And if, for example, we are going to build or rehabilitate our home, we already know that a bathroom extractor is mandatory.