Cost to Install a Bathroom Fan

If your bathroom does not have good ventilation, its at risk for mold buildup, unpleasant odors, peeling paint and slow deterioration from water infiltration.

When its not possible to add a window, the best option is to install an exhaust fan.

This fan is designed to remove excessive moisture and will keep your bathroom nice and dry.

There are many designs and styles available, so you can select a device that best suits your needs.

We have collected the average costs to install an exhaust fan, to help you budget for this project.

How Much Does it Cost to Install an Exhaust Fan?

If your bathroom has never had an exhaust fan, you may need to install electric wiring as well as an air duct system that will vent outside the building. This is a complex job that may require the help of both an electrician and an HVAC contractor. You can expect to pay $350-500+ (labor and materials) depending on what needs to be done to install a complete working exhaust system. (Note, that some buildings have codes that prohibit making penetrations through building facades, making it impossible to install the duct work.)

If you already have an old exhaust fan that just makes noise, but doesn’t actually work, it can be replaced. It will cost $80-125 for an electrician to come in and install a new fan. This is a fast and easy job that will take 1 hour or less.

On average electricians and HVAC pros charge $70-95/hr, depending on where you live. Labor rates, in expensive cities such as New York and San Francisco will be much higher than in cities like Austin, Texas.

We recommend contacting at least 3-4 professionals and getting quotes, to ensure you get the best price. Always check that the contractor has proper licensing and can provide at least 3 positive references.

Bathroom Fan Costs

There are a number of different fan options to consider, depending on your needs and budget.

Bathroom fans can range in price from $20 for the most basic models to $400 for highly efficient, high-end devices with multiple features.

When selecting a fan, be sure to look at the following features:

– Amount of air the fan has the capacity to move up (expressed in cubic feet per minute or cfm)

– Noise level or how loud the fan is perceived to be (expressed in sones; more sones means more noise)

– Energy usage (expressed in watts). Its best to get an energy-efficient model that has the Energy Star Label.

Fan Options

1. Simple fan that can be mounted either on the wall or ceiling that will not have any designer frills or lighting, but will move the air up and out.

The problem with these budget units is that they have a very low cfm, and therefore may not be very effective at ridding your bathroom of moisture.

Cost: $20 – 50

2. Stronger, more functional exhaust fan that offers such features, as a condensation sensor, delay off timer, Energy Start rated, etc. The devices in this middle-of-the-road price range offer the best value.

Cost: $100 – 175

3. Fan combined with a light, such as LunAura by Broan, offers greater convenience and a designer edge, along with a powerful exhaust.

Cost: $150 – 250

4. Fan that has an exhaust, light and also distributes heat throughout the bathroom, such as devices by AeroPure. These are ideal if you love the feeling of warmth after a bath or shower, and is a great option if you have small children.

Cost: $190 – 275

5. Extra strong fan (500-1200 cfm) with a very powerful, permanently sealed and lubricated motor, sound absorbing acoustic insulation, as well as other features. This one is best suited for large bathrooms that have very frequent exposure to excessive moisture.

Cost: $250 – 350

Benefits of Having a Bathroom Fan

While they may not be obvious at first, especially if have a brand new, remodeled bathroom, there are many important benefits to having a properly functioning exhaust fan.

Here is what a quality device can do for you:

– Prevent excessive moisture from building up and causing such costly to repair issues as: peeling paint, damaged tiling and cabinetry, deterioration of wall board, and structural damages.

– Deliver energy efficiency (old, noisy fans waste a lot of electricity without delivering any results).

– Promote healthy indoor air quality and relieve respiratory conditions, such as asthma.

– Prevent the growth of mold and mildew, which not only cause nasty odors, but also exacerbate any existing respiratory problems.