What are ENERGY STAR ventilation/exhaust fans?

Homes without adequate ventilation can have lingering odours and high humidity levels. ENERGY STAR® certified ventilation or exhaust fans including bathroom/utility room fans and range hoods, can provide the necessary ventilation to minimize or eliminate these problems resulting in a healthy indoor environment.

Ventilation fans have an electric motor that powers a fan. Moist air is drawn up through the fan into ductwork that exhausts to the outside.

A cross-section diagram of an ENERGY STAR ventilation fan.

VENTILATION FAN DIAGRAM LEGEND

  1. removable grille
  2. ventilation fan
  3. duct work vented outside
  4. roof vent cap
  5. timer/humidistat control switch
  6. interior ceiling

Did you see a building science or energy efficiency term you did not understand? Check out our glossary.