The cost to install a bathroom fan will vary based on multiple factors, including the bathroom size, how many fans you need, the type of fan, and more.
How to Choose The Perfect Exhaust Fan for Your Bathroom
Choosing the right exhaust fan will help keep your bathroom clean, dry, and fresh
Get quotes from heating and air conditioning pros near you
No obligation · 100% free
Get quotes from heating and air conditioning pros near you
No obligation · 100% free
Need Help With a Project? Connect With a Pro
Choosing a top-rated bathroom exhaust fan requires matching airflow to your bathroom size, aiming for one CFM per square foot with a minimum of 50 CFM.
Wall-mounted fans cost $50 to $250, ceiling-mounted fans cost $15 to $400, and remote fans cost $119 to $450, depending on features you add.
Your bathroom exhaust fan needs proper venting to the outside through a roof or wall vent to prevent moisture damage and mold growth in your attic.
Hiring a local bathroom repair professional ensures proper ductwork installation and electrical connections, keeping your new fan vented correctly and operating safely.
Get quotes from up to 5 pros!
Enter a zip below and get matched to top-rated pros near you.
Most of the time, you probably don’t give much thought to your bathroom fan. But if it’s making a strange sound or has stopped working altogether, you might consider replacing it to keep air quality high. If you’re in the market for a new bathroom fan but feel like the lingo is another language, read on to better understand the essential factors that go into selecting a bathroom fan.
How Exhaust Fans Work and Why Your Bathroom Needs One
Affixed to a tube or metal duct, bathroom vents (otherwise known as exhaust fans) draw out moisture and odors to improve air quality. A bathroom vent works similarly to your kitchen range hood that removes smoke and steam from your cooktop during dinner. The fan is tied to the same electrical circuit that powers your lights, and when turned on, the air will flow out through a vent opening on the roof or sidewall of the home.
Warm, moist air stimulates mold growth and can also rust your fixtures and surfaces. If your bathroom doesn’t have an exhaust fan, it smells musty, or ventilation is lacking, you’d be wise to install one. Some building codes even require them to promote proper air movement.
1. Pick a Fan with Proper Venting
Bathroom exhaust fans should never vent to your attic, where the moisture can create mold and damage joists, floors, walls, and anything stored in the space. Instead, exhaust fans must vent to the outside of the home.
These are the main types of fans available and how they work:
Wall-Mounted Fans
Wall-mounted fans are the best choice for first-floor bathrooms in two-story homes because they can vent directly outside instead of requiring ductwork to vent through the roof. A small vent affixes to your siding. The average cost of a wall-mounted fan is $50, though some are available with lights and can cost up to $250.
Ceiling-Mounted Fans
The most common type of fan, ceiling-mounted fans pull moisture and odors through the roof or ductwork. They cost $15 to $400 or more depending on features you add, such as heaters, motion sensors, or night lights.
Remote Fans
When your bathroom is large and requires more than one vent or uses one system to vent multiple bathrooms, you need a remote fan. Remote fans are quieter than ceiling-mounted or wall-mounted fans and are best for bathrooms with limited ceiling space. The price for these is $119 to $450.
2. Ensure Enough Airflow
Exhaust fan airflow is measured in cubic feet per minute (CFM). Aim for one CFM per square foot of bathroom area, with a minimum of 50 CFM. Bathrooms larger than 100 square feet need more CFM so that the air movement will be strong enough throughout the bathroom, which keeps moisture and dampness, and unpleasant odors from lingering. The Home Ventilating Institute recommends adding 50 CFM for each toilet, shower, bathtub, and jetted tub.
If the ceiling in your bathroom is higher than eight feet, extra CFM is needed as well, for the same reasons larger bathrooms need more CFM. An expert can tell you exactly how much CFM you need.
3. Keep It Quiet
Somkiat / Adobe Stock
A noisy fan can reverberate throughout a house, giving your old washing machine a run for its money. Noise tolerance is a personal preference, so make sure you’re comfortable with your new fan’s volume. The better the quality of the fan you select for your bathroom, the quieter it will be.
Noise levels are measured in sones. Sones measure how a sound is sensed by those hearing it, not by its decibels.
These are the equivalent noises for sone levels of exhaust fans:
Less than 0.3 sone: Not audible to the human ear
0.3–0.9 sone: Audible if you listen for them
1 sone: Similar to a refrigerator running
2 sones: the sound of a quiet workplace
3 sones: a friendly conversation
4 sones: watching television at an average volume
Some fans offer adjustable speed controls that can lower the sones, but they cost more, may require extra work, and will decrease the CFM of your unit.
4. Opt for Energy Efficiency
To keep down the cost of running your bathroom exhaust fans, look for the EnergyStar® label. They will use about 60% less power than fans not certified as EnergyStar® by The Home Ventilating Institute or the Air Movement and Control Association.
In addition, some states, like California, require energy-efficient exhaust fans, so check your state’s building codes before buying that lightning deal online. Your contractor or electrician can also help you find an energy-efficient choice.
5. Budget for Installation
Installation of new bathroom exhaust fans, aside from simply swapping out an existing unit, requires an electrician and, sometimes, an HVAC expert.
Installation of new bathroom exhaust fans, aside from simply swapping out an existing unit, requires an electrician and, sometimes, an HVAC expert. The cost per hour for these experts is $50 to $100, with an average of two to four hours per project.
6. Add Comfort-Boosting Extras
There are extras you can choose from that add to the comfort and functionality of your bathroom exhaust fan.
Built-in heaters: Great for cold-weather locations and early-morning shower users
Built-in lighting: Because windowless rooms can never have enough
Low-level night light: A good idea for guest baths and children’s bathrooms
Motion-sensor: Automatically starts the fan when someone enters the bathroom
Humidity-sensing: Saves the trouble of determining whether a fan is needed based on moisture levels
Heating and air conditioning services reviews from real Angi homeowners in Columbus, OH
4.5★ avg. • 115 total reviews
- Marwan T.
If you’re good people wanting to do business with good people, hire Matt. He is a consummate professional and utterly competent. He installed a water heater in my home at a price that beat competitors by hundreds of dollars with a promise to support the unit for its life (even after its 6 yr...
Greene's Plumbing Services - Eric T.
Corey Carr was great. I had damage from a recent storm and needed to have my mast and other components replaced. The project entailed coordinating with AEP, and Corey helped make a stressful situation a lot less stressful. I really appreciated his dedication to service and the job very well done.
Mr. Electric of Columbus - Dawn G.
This service was great. My air conditioner went out during the heat spell that we had. My husband has health issues and they came out that night and at 9:30pm the air conditioner was fixed and running. We are sooo very thankful, this is the company I will be using from now on and would...
Mr. Mechanical Ohio - Justin Y.
I normally do not leave reviews, but my experience with Worthington Air was extremely frustrating and disappointing. About 30 days ago, I had a consultation done for an HVAC replacement and was quoted approximately $15,079. Based on that quote, I applied for financing through their company...
ARS Columbus Worthington Air - Jeff B.
Great company! Price was competitive, technician showed up on time and completed the job (exterior electric Radon fan replacement) quickly. Would hire them again.
MaGen Property Inspections and Radon Mitigation - John A.
Raven and crew does absolutely fantastic job. They are very professional if any concerns were to occur with any of her work she always took responsibility and finished out with a great job. I have worked with her business for a year and have always been satisfied. Very trusted business and...
Creations of Transformation LLC - Austin Y.
I would recommend this company to anyone! He showed up on time, was friendly, completed a very difficult repair on our dryer vent cover, was responsive, and pricing was extremely fair and competitive. I would have him back to do any of our repairs or cleanings without hesitation!
U.S.A. Dryer Vent, LLC - Justin W.
Ace Fireplace Services' chimney sweep service is truly exceptional. They used advanced technology to ensure a thorough cleaning process, and my chimney has never looked better. I highly recommend their services.
Ace Fireplace Services - David B.
The technician was very professional and friendly. He answered all my questions and was very thorough. He left the fireplace area very clean . He inspected from the roof and advised me as to other work that might need to be done. There was no pressure there. I was very satisfied with the...
Supreme brick & chimney - Heather M.
On time, clean and finished fast. Windows seem sturdy and the finish is good. Caulking was done with no smudges. Would recommend.
Window Depot USA of Central Ohio
The homeowners guide to heating and air conditioning services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
If you’re wondering who installs bathroom exhaust fans, you can call several different types of pros, or do it yourself, depending on your needs.
You may be wondering, who installs bathroom exhaust fans when they’re on their last leg. Using this guide, you’ll understand how an electrician or journeyperson will help you out and how to hire the one that gets the job done timely and right.
The best bathroom exhaust fan venting option exits through your roof. However, other choices exist if a roof vent installation is not possible.
Dirty bathroom exhaust fans can harbor mold, mildew, and dirt. Clean your fan twice a year following these steps to keep potentially harmful buildup at bay.
The sweat equity involved in bath fan installation is intense, but having a humidity-free bathroom is worth it. Here's how to install a bathroom fan and get started.