Condo Bathroom exhaust fans always on

Sep 5th, 2020 10:16 pm

#1

killer007 [OP]: Deal Addict; Mar 7, 2010; 2384 posts; 235 upvotes; Mississauga

Sep 5th, 2020 10:16 pm

So this is a condo with 2 bathrooms

It has 1 exhaust fan in each bathroom. The previous owner unplug the fans when we got this place. First day I noticed the fans weren't working so I opened up the covers and noticed fans were unplugged. I plugged it back in and they both works, but there aren't any switch to turn them off.

My question is are they supposed to be on 24/7 or the previous owner did something wrong with the light switch?

Cuz usually the light switch it's also the on and off button for the fan.

The fan is with motor, I think, not the newerly condo kind (silent exhaust fan).

Right now the fans are on 24/7.

Images

Share:

Sep 5th, 2020 10:47 pm

#2

engineered: Deal Expert; Feb 11, 2007; 15085 posts; 16040 upvotes; Oakville

Sep 5th, 2020 10:47 pm

Isn't that how you get fresh air?

Sep 5th, 2020 10:48 pm

#3

ProductGuy: Deal Addict; Jan 1, 2017; 1176 posts; 1019 upvotes

Sep 5th, 2020 10:48 pm

killer007 wrote: ↑ So this is a condo with 2 bathrooms

It has 1 exhaust fan in each bathroom. The previous owner unplug the fans when we got this place. First day I noticed the fans weren't working so I opened up the covers and noticed fans were unplugged. I plugged it back in and they both works, but there aren't any switch to turn them off.

My question is are they supposed to be on 24/7 or the previous owner did something wrong with the light switch?

Cuz usually the light switch it's also the on and off button for the fan.

The fan is with motor, I think, not the newerly condo kind (silent exhaust fan).

Right now the fans are on 24/7.

If you know who the property or maintenance manager for your building is you should ask him/her. They would be able to tell you based on what they have seen in other units. If you don’t know who the manager is just ask the security guard who the manager is.

Do you have a fan switch by the light switch or no?

Sep 5th, 2020 10:58 pm

#4

killer007 [OP]: Deal Addict; Mar 7, 2010; 2384 posts; 235 upvotes; Mississauga

Sep 5th, 2020 10:58 pm

Nope, not at all
Ummm let me see if I can ask the management office

Sep 6th, 2020 2:01 am

#5

Fraser River Rat: Deal Addict; Mar 4, 2007; 1981 posts; 291 upvotes; Vancouver

Sep 6th, 2020 2:01 am

Hi,

It would be against building code to not have a way to shut off power to the exhaust fan. A lot of bathroom fans in public washrooms & commercial buildings are tied in to the bathroom lights. I think the exhaust fan power wire is in the light switch box & it's connected to the wrong side of the light switch.
https://guide-house.com/how-to-wire-a-b ... ne-switch/

Sep 6th, 2020 6:47 am

#6

gfnstew: Member; Apr 17, 2016; 314 posts; 176 upvotes; Toronto

Sep 6th, 2020 6:47 am

Why is there a sticker on the fan that says 'do not plug in'? Was that sticker put in by the builder?

+1

Sep 6th, 2020 7:29 am

#7

killer007 [OP]: Deal Addict; Mar 7, 2010; 2384 posts; 235 upvotes; Mississauga

Sep 6th, 2020 7:29 am

I am wondering that too
I am not sure...
Man did the previous owner screwed up?

Sep 6th, 2020 7:30 am

#8

killer007 [OP]: Deal Addict; Mar 7, 2010; 2384 posts; 235 upvotes; Mississauga

Sep 6th, 2020 7:30 am

Have to wait until office open and I need to ask them

Sep 6th, 2020 10:46 am

#9

IndyBeak: Deal Addict; Sep 13, 2016; 2417 posts; 1251 upvotes; Mississauga

Sep 6th, 2020 10:46 am

gfnstew wrote: ↑ Why is there a sticker on the fan that says 'do not plug in'? Was that sticker put in by the builder?

Yeah. I am curious about that sticker as well. There must be a reason why someone did that.

Sep 6th, 2020 12:02 pm

#10

ProductGuy: Deal Addict; Jan 1, 2017; 1176 posts; 1019 upvotes

Sep 6th, 2020 12:02 pm

OP how old is the condo?

Sep 6th, 2020 5:24 pm

#11

killer007 [OP]: Deal Addict; Mar 7, 2010; 2384 posts; 235 upvotes; Mississauga

Sep 6th, 2020 5:24 pm

ProductGuy wrote: ↑ OP how old is the condo?

10 years old

It's weird cuz I was looking for the fan and noticed it was off
So I opened it up and it was unplugged and I plugged back in and it works
So previous owner might did something to it?
It's been on 3 days straight but I heard you shouldn't do that cuz it's fire hazard?

Sep 6th, 2020 6:24 pm

#12

linsook: Sr. Member; Jul 7, 2005; 923 posts; 125 upvotes

Sep 6th, 2020 6:24 pm

Leave it unplugged. Units are negative pressure, building ventilation pushes fresh air into units entered from hallway through door gaps. Unplug it and put a tissue paper up to grill, it should stick. Condo package would detail this information. I've only ever seen it in Solaris myself. Ventus is not like this, haven't seen Avani but I assume it's the same as Ventus.

Sep 6th, 2020 6:49 pm

#13

killer007 [OP]: Deal Addict; Mar 7, 2010; 2384 posts; 235 upvotes; Mississauga

Sep 6th, 2020 6:49 pm

linsook wrote: ↑ Leave it unplugged. Units are negative pressure, building ventilation pushes fresh air into units entered from hallway through door gaps. Unplug it and put a tissue paper up to grill, it should stick. Condo package would detail this information. I've only ever seen it in Solaris myself. Ventus is not like this, haven't seen Avani but I assume it's the same as Ventus.

Ummm actually....I am at Solaris hahahah
So I unplugged it but I put a tissue, the tissue fall right off the grill. However, when I plug it, the fan starts to move and tissue suck tightly to the grill.

Avani is the silent one with small suction 24 hours nonstop
If you want more power, it has a button beside the light switch that you can tempary increase suction.

Sep 6th, 2020 10:35 pm

#14

linsook: Sr. Member; Jul 7, 2005; 923 posts; 125 upvotes

Sep 6th, 2020 10:35 pm

Is your main door jam free of any foam seals?

Read over your Solaris package it should go over this to alleviate your concerns or speak with property management for them to explain to you. Other option is to hook the fan up to the switch. Consult an electrician.