Bathrooms have exhaust fans for appropriate ventilation that eliminates moisture buildup and odors. Half baths are small rooms in a private house with only a toilet and washbasin. So, do they need an exhaust fan? Let’s find out.
Since half baths have only a toilet and a sink, it lessens the chances of moisture buildup; thus, installing the exhaust fans in the half bathrooms is optional if you have enough ventilation. However, installing an exhaust fan in most cases will help improve ventilation and prevent foul smells.
Many people install exhaust fans in their bathrooms out of preference rather than a requirement. This article will explain the need for exhaust fans for half baths. We shall also discuss other ways to fight moisture buildup and odor in the half baths.
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This post includes some affiliate links.Does a half bath need an exhaust fan?
There are differences in the building codes and regulations between the countries and cities.
Whatever is allowed in one area may not be acceptable in some other areas.
So, you must follow the local building codes before installing ventilation for your half baths.
Half baths are exempt from the local residential construction rules for exhaust fans in most areas.
Most municipalities do not require exhaust fans for the half baths.
You can double-check, though, in case there is permission for it.
Half baths have only a basin and a toilet.
But a full bathroom has a sink, a bathtub, a shower, and a toilet.
That is why full bathrooms always need ventilation.
Half baths only have a toilet and a basin, and there is no chance of excess humidity or moisture buildup.
So, exhaust fans are not compulsory.
Since it has only a sink and a toilet, it does not require ventilation as badly as the full bathrooms.
Installing an exhaust fan in the half bathrooms depends on you.
It can be helpful.
If you install it, you must vent the fan outside as per the building codes.
How can your half bathrooms benefit from the exhaust fans?
As house owners, we always ensure proper ventilation for our bathrooms, kitchen, and other rooms.
But ventilating a half bathroom is a gray area.
Since it has only a toilet and a basin, there are fewer chances of moisture buildup, mold, and bad odor.
So, there is no mandatory requirement for exhaust fans.
But, as I said, you can have one if your local building codes allow it.
Your half baths will greatly benefit from the fans.
Here are a few reasons why you should support ventilating your half baths:
Odor control
Since a half bath has only one toilet, a bad smell could be something happening.
It is very annoying when you rush to the bathroom but come out immediately due to the bad smell.
It is more embarrassing when someone else enters and receives the bad smell after your business is finished.
You can avoid this by adding an exhaust fan.
As we know, an exhaust fan creates air pressure that changes the influx of fresh outdoor air and eliminates the indoor air.
As a result, the bad odor from your bathroom will vanish within a few minutes only with a slight push of a button.
Saves you from paint and repair jobs
Home remodeling can be expensive.
So, house owners always try to do their best to avoid remodeling.
If your half bathroom is not ventilated at all, there could be chances of moisture buildup.
If the problem persists, your bathroom’s wall paints will fall off, the insulation will become weak, and it will develop mold.
Wallpapers and paints can cost around $37,500.
Without proper venting, you must spend this money every 2-3 months.
The metals will wear and develop rust, and the woods will swell.
Though half baths do not have showers, they have flushes and toilets.
Adding an exhaust fan will prevent moisture buildup and mold development and keep you from spending extra money on wall paints.
Besides, it will also save your health from allergies caused by mold.
An exhaust can save you from these issues for at least 10 to 15 years.
Ensures comfort
No place is comfortable during hot and humid summers, including the half and full baths.
The chances of moisture buildup are higher in the summer than in winter. So, it will worsen the condition of your bathroom.
Humidity control is important for all the rooms, including the bathrooms.
So, installing the exhaust fans in the half baths will reduce the humidity and moisture buildup and keep it comforting.
The exhaust will suck the air and humidity and replace it with fresh air.
Protects your health
The world has recently experienced a pandemic.
Remembering that you must maintain proper hygiene, especially regarding bathrooms.
Bathrooms remain closed most of the time.
So, suppose you suddenly enter the half bath that was closed.
In that case, you will have allergies, including coughs, runny noses, and itchy and watery eyes.
It is due to the dust and stale air buildup due to the closed area.
It can be a serious health hazard.
Germs left behind by airborne pathogens end up accumulating in the washrooms.
Adding an exhaust will release these stale air, dust, and germs and save you from allergies and other health hazards.
The exhaust will prevent these harmful agents from releasing bad fumes and keep your bathroom safe.
No more foggy mirrors
Some half baths have a mirror in front of the basin.
The increased humidity inside your bathroom will land and accumulate over the mirror, making it foggy.
A mirror is a cooler area; thus, it would be a good place for condensation.
It occurs more when you use hot water during the winter.
Exhaust fans can release this extra moisture, keep it away, and make your mirror fog-free.
Gives a good feeling
Home is the place where you can use the toilet peacefully.
Most of us feel anxious about using bathrooms in other houses.
Proper comfort might not be possible when everyone desires white noise to take care of the business peacefully.
So, in that case, exhaust fans will make your guests feel comfortable and luxurious even in half baths.
Things to consider while getting an exhaust for half baths
While buying an exhaust fan for your half baths, you must consider a few factors:
- Exhaust fan size
- Current air quality
- Current setup
- Extra features
- Efficiency
- Budget
Fan size
The exhaust fan size has to be according to the bathroom size, airflow, and sound level.
Experts measure the airflow in cubic feet per minute, or CFM.
To calculate the exact airflow amount of your half bath, multiply the square footage of the space by 1:1.
For example, if the square footage is 50 CFM, you need a 55 CFM fan for the half bath.
50 CFM is the minimum size.
Considering a slightly larger size won’t harm, but make sure not to choose very large.
Some factors can increase the size, for example, the ceiling height.
As for the sound rating, it is measured by sones.
Make sure the sone rating stays within 2-sone ratings.
Otherwise, the fan will make alarming noises.
Current air quality
Before you buy an exhaust for your half bath, consider the air quality.
If your half bath has enough good-quality air, you might not have to vent your bathroom.
Areas with high humidity, leakages, and ventilations increase the moisture level and reduce the air quality.
If you have such a condition, you can use exhaust fans; otherwise, skip it.
You can buy a test to learn your house’s air quality index.
Current setup
If you already have an exhaust in your bathroom, check its type and setup.
Installing a new exhaust fan or a different setup can improve air quality. Still, it will also cost more than the current setup.
Efficiency
It is always better to have an exhaust fan that works efficiently but keeps the costs low.
The best way is to buy products with the Energy Star logo.
They run 70% more efficiently than the other products.
Extra features
Some exhaust fans have additional features, such as lights, that make your bathroom luxurious and attractive.
It is a good idea to install such an exhaust in the half baths.
You don’t have to get an extra light setup for the space.
Some fans also have motion sensors and heaters.
Motion sensors will turn the fan on automatically when someone enters the bath.
If you want to avoid having such a fan because the half bath is small, you can install a dimmer switch in the bath.
Price
Every project will need a limited budget to prevent excess expenses.
So, you must know the price of the fan and the installation cost.
Below is a list of a few fan types:
- Basic exhaust fan: $80
- Exhaust fan with light: $140
- Exhaust fan with light and heater: $424
A professional can charge around $50 to $100 per hour, based on the work difficulty.
Some installation jobs will require additional wiring and venting, for which the charges could increase.
The cost can end up to $4,000.
Other ways to ventilate your half baths
Since half baths have only a basin and a toilet, exhaust fans are not mandatory.
Moisture buildup and bad odor are common problems in bathrooms.
To ventilate your half bathroom without a fan, you can try other ways and fight these issues.
Here are a few ways to deal with moisture buildup and bad odor.
Household fans
A normal fan, like a box fan or an oscillating fan, can remove moisture from your bathroom.
These fans are cheap, easily affordable, and you can move them easily.
After using the toilet or the basin, bring the fan inside the half bath and run it for an hour. Once you are done, take the fan back to your house.
Windows
Having windows can help remove bad air and moisture from the half bath.
The window size and type will depend on the bathroom size.
Smaller windows are good, but larger windows help in good air circulation. However, some people prefer small windows due to privacy.
For a half bath, open a window for some houses daily to eliminate the harmful fumes and moisture buildup.
Bathroom dehumidifier
A bathroom dehumidifier might cost more than a household fan, but it is better than installing an exhaust.
The dehumidifier will have sensors that read the moisture in the surrounding air and turn it on if it is humid.
Please place it in the bathroom to eliminate moisture during the day or night.
You can also install it in the ceiling if an electrical hazard concerns you.
Keep the odor and moisture-absorbing plants.
Multiple tropical plants enjoy high humidity.
You can keep a few in your half bath.
These plants will absorb all the bathroom moisture and keep it dry.
You can try Aloe Vera, Pothos, Begonia, and Azalea.
Besides, you can also have an attractive bathroom with these plants that need high humidity, less water, and indirect or low sunlight.
Plants like Pothos, English Ivy, and Peace Lilies can absorb moisture and odor.
These plants can absorb bad odors and purify the surrounding air by filtering around 70% of air pollutants and are good for bathrooms with bad smells.
Some plants can also spread good smells and eliminate the bad bathroom smell.
Air fresheners
Air fresheners are a good choice to eradicate bad smells.
You can get multiple types of air fresheners in the market.
Take a little time researching the right one that will work for your half or full bathrooms.
Ductless bathroom fan
Ductless bathroom fans can greatly ventilate the half baths without any exhaust vent.
These fans use charcoal filter systems to eliminate bad odors from the bathrooms.
The ductless fans will need proper maintenance, especially the filters.
But that is easier than cutting holes in the ceiling or venting in the basement.
Final thoughts
Half baths do not need exhaust fans because they have only a sink, toilet, and no shower or bathtub.
As a result, there are lesser chances of moisture buildup or humidity.
In most areas, the local codes have exempted half baths from having exhaust fans.
You can have it if your building code allows it.
Adding an exhaust fan to the half baths can be beneficial, even if unnecessary.
It eliminates high humidity, bad smells, and harmful fumes released from the toilet.
If you do not want to add an exhaust, try alternatives like household fans, open windows and doors, moisture and odor-absorbing plants, air fresheners, and ductless bathroom fans.
Installation cost depends on the fan type and works challenge.
Some projects include wiring, which can increase the cost.
It can be as low as $200 or as high as $4,000.
