It might seem like an odd question, but is a dirty exhaust fan actually a good thing? The simple answer is no, but to answer the question fully, we need to look at it a little differently.
What is the Purpose of an Exhaust Fan?
The main purpose of an exhaust fan is to improve the indoor air quality of the room by removing moisture, odors and contaminates from the living space. This means that particles are going to be traveling through the exhaust fan and ducting.
How is a Dirty Exhaust Fan a Good Thing?
A dirty exhaust fan, or one that has a build-up of dirt on it is a good thing in the sense the fan is operating correctly and effectively. As contaminates travel through the fan, they are inevitably going to build up on the inner workings on the fan. Most commonly on the fan blade and the fan grill. In its simplest form, this means the exhaust fan is doing its job and removing the unwanted contaminates from the living space. If you exhaust fan runs for any length of time (months/years) and you never need to clean it, it means one of two things. One, you live in a home that has no dust, no contaminates, no pets, and probably no people. Second, the fan is not being used as much as you think it is or should be.
How is a Dirty Exhaust Fan a Bad Thing?
Before the screaming, yelling and rebuttals start pouring in – yes, we agree that a dirty exhaust fan is not a good thing for the overall function of the fan. As dirt and debris builds up in and on the exhaust fan as well as the ducting, the performance of the fan is going to reduce. You will typically see a decrease in the amount of airflow the fan is able to produce and an increase in the sound level. As we mentioned before, the most common place for dirt build-up is on the fan blade in the form of what is going to look like lint. This build-up on the fan blade adds weight and causes the motor to have to work harder. This not only can reduce the effectiveness of the exhaust fan; it can also shorten the motor life. The same holds true with build-up in the other areas such as the grill and especially the ducting. The narrower the openings become, the less effective the exhaust fan will be.
What Should I Do?
The best way to combat a dirty exhaust fan is to have a regular cleaning schedule. Most maintenance can be done by the average homeowner. There are however a few steps to take to reduce the chance of injury or damaging your fan.
First and foremost, consult the cleaning instructions for your particular model. While most cleaning instructions for exhaust fans are similar, there are differences. Fans with a light will have slightly different instructions than one without. In general, never use water or liquid cleaning products directly on the fan motor. For parts you can use a liquid cleaner or soap/water to clean, always makes sure they are completely dry before reinstalling and restoring power.
Second, always make sure to turn the power off to your exhaust fan before starting any cleaning or maintenance.
Third, if you are unsure of how to clean your exhaust fan, consult a HVAC or Electrical professional. Duct cleaning service can also be another resource to consult.
While we will admit, asking the question – Is a Dirty Exhaust Fan a Good Thing, is a bit of a leading or trick question, it does prove that it is doing what it is supposed to be doing. As we outlined, taking a few steps to ensure your fan is clean and properly maintained will benefit your home’s indoor air quality as well as the life of your fan.
Learn More
To access Air King user manuals, including maintenance instructions, visit the User Manuals section of the Air King website. To learn more about Air King exhaust fans, visit the exhaust fan section of the Air King website.
