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Should Bathroom Exhaust Fan Ducts Be Insulated? (3 Reasons Why)

We usually do not think about the ceiling fixtures in our homes—they sometimes remain out of sight and out of mind until a noticeable problem draws our attention.

Many homeowners wonder if bathroom exhaust fan ducts should be insulated as a means of preventing such a problem.

Yes, bathroom exhaust fan ducts should be insulated, and they need to be insulated well. If these fan ducts are not insulated properly or not at all, you will probably experience an excessive amount of moisture in the bathroom, which can lead to other issues like mold. 

Keep reading to learn more about why bathroom exhaust fan ducts should be insulated, as well as how to do so correctly. 

Why Should Bathroom Exhaust Fan Ducts Be Insulated? 

If your bathroom exhaust fan duct is not insulated, it cannot do any of the things it is supposed to do to keep your bathroom comfortable and free of moisture. Consider the following information if you are trying to determine if your fan ducts are insulated:

1. To Improve Air Quality 

Bathrooms are often cleaned with harsh chemicals that can be harmful if we breathe them in.

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If your bathroom exhaust fan’s duct is insulated, the fan will be able to most efficiently and completely vent out any remainders of these chemicals in the air. 

In general, the fan will better be able to circulate fresh air so that it does not become stagnant with any pollutants or prone to things like spores of mold.

The fresh air will also keep the bathroom from absorbing unpleasant odors.

2. To Prevent Excess Moisture 

Fan ducts that are either not insulated or not insulated well encourage the build up of moisture in your bathroom, which is the opposite of what the fan is supposed to do.

When the ducts are properly insulated, moisture cannot linger in the air or on every surface.

When this moisture does linger, it can cause peeling paint or wallpaper, warped doors, water stains on the ceiling, and the rapid growth of mold. 

Mold in particular can be difficult to get rid of, and prolonged exposure to mold may lead to health problems for people with asthma or allergies.

Water stains can also be hard to remove, especially since ones caused by no insulation are always on the ceiling near the fan. 

3. To Regulate Temperature

In addition to keeping the air fresh and the entire room relatively free of moisture, if a fan duct is insulated properly, the fan can keep the temperature in the bathroom fairly comfortable instead of allowing the air to become extremely hot or cold whenever someone takes a shower. 

This quality is directly tied to the other two, as the excess humidity from a hot shower, for instance, traps heat or any odors in the bathroom if that humidity is not dispelled.

How to Insulate Bathroom Exhaust Fan Ducts 

Although you can hire a contractor if your fan duct’s insulation is loose or nonexistent, insulating this duct is actually quite easy, and most homeowners could do so themselves.

If you are interested in doing this work, you will need to know the following information: 

Fasten Existing Insulation 

Most of the time, if you are having issues with excessive moisture or air quality in the bathroom and the fan duct has already been insulated, the insulation is simply too loose.

You can secure the insulation around the duct more tightly by using zip ties or aluminum tape. 

You should also check to make sure that the duct does not have insulation on the inside, as some ducts are sold that way.

These ducts may give off odd smells and tend to trap moisture between the duct and the insulation, which is a great method for germs to thrive.

If your duct has insulation on the inside, be sure to replace it with a new duct that does not. 

Purchase a Good Insulation 

There are many different types of insulation, but a few different types will be highly effective for this project.

So long as the insulation you purchase has an R-value of anywhere from three to six, it will prevent all of that extra condensation from pooling in your bathroom. 

R-value is simply how resistant the insulation is to heat flow, and higher numbers are more resistant.

Higher numbers are also not always necessary, and if you live somewhere with a warmer climate, you can probably opt for insulation that is closer to R-3 than R-6. 

Wrap the Outside of the Duct

Once you have purchased some insulation that will work for your fan exhaust duct, you will need to wrap the insulation around the outside of the duct.

The easiest way to do this is to cut a sheet of the insulation into strips that fit each side with a utility knife.

Remember to pinch all seams closed and to secure the insulation (see the first step in this section).

Conclusion 

Although homeowners may not think about their bathroom exhaust fan or fan duct very often, a poorly insulated fan duct, or one that is not insulated at all, will cause your bathroom to trap in excess moisture, pollutants, and smells. 

Too much moisture is uncomfortable and can also allow mold to thrive in your bathroom. The best way to prevent this is by going to the attic to inspect your exhaust fan duct to make sure it has been insulated securely.