Bathroom Fan Sensor Switch
Do you want to find the best bathroom fan switch?
There is always the standard toggle switch, but bathroom fans can also have fancy features like timers and sensors.
In this product review, I will go over...
- My #1 top pick for the best bathroom fan switch
- Humidity sensors for automatic control
- Timer switches for push button delay off
Let's get started with this guide!
- Humidity sensor for bathroom fan
- Motion sensor for light
- Manual on/off button for fan & light
- Occupancy mode
- Vacancy mode
My overall top pick for the best bathroom fan switch goes to the TDHOS5 by Top Greener. This premium wall switch includes a humidity sensor which will automatically turn your exhaust fan on/off. It also features a motion sensor which will automatically turn your bath light on/off. The motion sensor alone can save up to 40% in energy costs over a year. And of course, there is also a manual button to operate the fan or light.
| Image | Product | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top Pick  | Top Pick | 1. TopGreener TDHOS5
|
| View on Amazon |
 | 2. Leviton Decora
|
| View on Amazon | |
 | 3. Enerlites Countdown
|
| View on Amazon | |
| Best Timer  | Best Timer | 4. GE Push Button
|
| View on Amazon |
 | 5. AirCycler SmartExhaust
|
| View on Amazon |
When you are faced with purchasing a bathroom fan switch, there are a wide variety of choices.
You could just go for the plain vanilla option of a regular toggle switch, but there are much better options...
Humidity Sensor Switches
One of the most useful technologies for bathroom fans is a humidity sensor.
You can either have the humidity sensor in the fan itself, but you can also have one in your wall switch—so you don't have to replace the fan just for this feature.
The integrated humidity sensor will automatically turn the bathroom fan on and off as the humidity level rises and drops.
This is a great feature if you have users who neglect to use the bathroom fan. Failure to use a bathroom fan can lead to rusted door hardware, damaged walls, peeling wallpaper, and even mold growth. But many people do not realize that you are supposed to use the bathroom fan for 15min to 30min after you take a shower or bath in order to remove all of that moisture.
Some switches with humidity sensors also have a delay-off function which means you can have a minimum amount of time the fan stays on that works with the sensor.
With a humidity sensor, you don't have to remember to turn off the bathroom fan so you aren't wasting energy.
Read Also: How Do Bathroom Fans Work?
Sensitivity Adjustment
Some bathroom fan switches will a have a sensitivity adjustment so you can choose how easily you want the exhaust fan to turn on and off. One common complaint for humidity sensors is that it can turn on too easily with the slightest whiff of moisture. With a sensitivity adjustment, you can decrease the humidity sensitivity and avoid that problem.
It's also important to realize that the placement is very important. You want to place the wall switch with a humidity sensor as close as possible to the shower or tub.
Also, higher on the wall is better for the switch performance. I recommend at least 5-ft on the wall which may be problematic for children. Another thing to consider is that if you have tall bathroom ceilings (greater than 8-ft) may also cause issues with switch performance.
Read Also: What Are The Best Bathroom Exhaust Fans?
Countdown Timer Switches
Another great way to control a bathroom fan is with a countdown timer switch.
These switches usually have a preset number of times that you can choose from... anywhere from 1-min and all the way up to 4-hrs.
There will usually be an LED indicator light that will illuminate your timer choice. The LED indicator light can also be useful for finding the wall switch in the dark. If you are installing the bathroom switch in a master bathroom, you may get annoyed by the light—they can be somewhat bright.
Countdown switches are a nice option if you want more control over the time that the exhaust fan is on.
Pretty much all bathroom timer switches will also have a manual button so that you can control the bathroom fan directly.
Read Also: What Are The Best Bathroom Fan Timer Switches?
What Is The Best Bathroom Fan Switch?
Here are my full reviews of my top rated bathroom fan switches that come with humidity sensors, motion sensors, timers, and more. Check out my reviews below...
#1. Top Greener TDHOS5
My #1 top pick is the TDHOS5 by TopGreener. It is a quality bathroom fan switch that will automatically turn your exhaust fan and lights on and off. This bathroom switch features a humidity sensor which will detect any rise in moisture, and then turn your fan on & off without your input.
It also features a motion sensor that will automatically turn on your bathroom lights based on movement in the bathroom. The motion sensor can save up to 40% in energy costs just by automatically turning off the light.
This bathroom fan switch by TopGreener also has occupancy and vacancy modes and an adjustable time delay-off function (minimum time that the fan is on).
- Humidity sensor for fan
- Motion sensor for light
- Manual on/off for fan & light
- Occupancy & vacancy modes
- Cover plate sold separate
- Neutral wire required
#2. Leviton Decora
The Decora by Leviton is a premium wall switch that can operate your bathroom fan or fan/light combo.
This single pole switch features a humidity sensor that will automatically turn your bathroom fan on or off. You can also manually turn the exhaust fan on or off by pushing the bottom button.
Another great feature is that you can control the humidity sensitivity with this switch with low, medium, or high.
At the high setting, it will turn on at the slightest amount of moisture increase in your bathroom. There is also a minimum on control setting. You can set the fan to stay on for at least 10, 20, 30, or 45 minutes (or until the humidity drops).
- Auto turn on/off fan
- Manual control of fan
- Sensitivity adjustment (lo-med-hi)
- Control minimum time on
- Must remove cover plate to change settings
- Wall plate sold separately
- Requires neutral wire
#3. Enerlites Countdown
This countdown timer switch by Enerlites is a high quality switch for your bathroom exhaust fan.
This switch has 6-preset times so that the bathroom fan will automatically turn off and save energy. You can choose between 1-min to 30-min, and it also includes a manual on/off button on the button.
There is a blue LED light that stays on which can help you use the switch in a dark bathroom. The cover plate is not included and must be bought separately.
- Auto off for bathroom fan
- Blue LED stays on (helps in dark bathroom)
- Manual on/off button
- 6 preset times (1-30min)
- Cover plate sold separately
- Blue light can be annoying if bathroom is in a bedroom
- Don't know time remaining
#4. GE Push Button
The push button countdown timer is a high quality wall switch made by world-renowned GE. This switch has six timer settings ranging from a low of 5min and to a high of 4-hours.
The great thing about this push button timer is that you don't need to have a neutral wire to make it work like most other switches.
Also, this GE switch actually comes with the cover plate so you don't have to buy it separate. Of course, this bathroom fan switch can be used manually by pushing the lower large button for a few seconds.
- 5min to 4hr timer settings
- Manual on/off
- Blue LED indicator light
- Includes cover plate
- No neutral wire needed (ground wire still needed)
- Have to push manual button for 3 seconds
- Doesn't have a model that includes neutral wire
#5. AirCycler SmartExhaust
The SmartExhaust by AirCyclyer is a premium bathroom exhaust fan switch to control moisture. This wall switch will automatically turn on your bathroom fan once you turn off the light.
In addition, it has a manual mode where you just flip the switch to on. This bath fan switch also has a ventilation mode which will turn on the fan for X minutes each hour for continuous ventilation.
The unique feature of this wall switch is that it has a microprocessor that will automatically subtract the manual time and the delay time from the ventilation time.
- Up to 60-min timer delay
- Fan turns on after you shutoff light
- Continuous ventilation mode
- Includes microprocessor
- Expensive
- Complaints of defective units
My #1 Top Pick: Top Greener TDHOS5
My overall top pick for the best bathroom fan switch goes to the Top Greener unit. Here's why...
#1. Humidity Sensor
It includes a humidity sensor that will automatically turn your fan on & off based on the moisture level of the bathroom. This is a great feature for occupants who neglect to use the fan, and also for those who forget to shut it off after a shower. People should keep the fan on 15-30min after a shower to remove all of the moisture. The fan can also be manually turned on or off.
#2. Motion Sensor
The Top Greener switch also has a motion sensor which will turn the bath light on/off when occupants enter/exit the bathroom. This is great feature because it can save up to 40% in energy costs just by automatically turning off the light. The light can also be manually turned on or off.
#3. Vacancy Mode
This TopGreener switch also has a vacancy mode which is great for when you are on vacation or away from the home. This means that any house visitors will have to manually turn on the light, but it will automatically turn off.
Read Also: What Are The Best Ducts For Bathroom Exhaust Fans?
Source: https://homeinspectorsecrets.com/bathroom-exhaust-fans/best-bathroom-fan-switch/
0 Komentar