Wiring was a pain though... had to fish wires through the attic, and I’m still finding bits of insulation in my hair.
That bit about the attic insulation made me laugh—been there, done that, still itchy. I’m curious, did you notice any difference in your utility bill after swapping to the humidity-sensing fan? I’ve been weighing the pros and cons for my rentals. On one hand, less mold risk is a win, but if the fan’s running every time someone takes a steamy shower, I wonder if it adds up over time. Anyone tracked that?
I’m still finding bits of insulation in my hair.
Right there with you—nothing like that attic itch to haunt you for days. About the fan, I swapped one in at a flip and honestly, didn’t see much of a spike in the bill. The humidity sensor only kicks on when it’s really needed, so it’s not running 24/7. I figure a little extra electricity is cheaper than dealing with moldy drywall down the line, but maybe that’s just me being lazy about preventative maintenance.
I get the logic behind running the fan with a humidity sensor, but I’ve actually had better luck just upping the airflow with a timer switch. The sensors in some models can be finicky—sometimes they don’t kick on soon enough, or they shut off before the moisture’s really gone. I’ve started setting the timer for 30 minutes after a shower, and it’s made a noticeable difference. Not saying the sensor’s bad, just that sometimes the old-school approach is more reliable, especially in rentals where tenants might not notice if it’s not working right.
TIMER SWITCHES VS. HUMIDITY SENSORS—A PRACTICAL TAKE
I’ve actually been weighing the same thing for my place. Those humidity sensors sound great on paper, but I’ve had two friends complain theirs either didn’t trigger fast enough or shut off while the ceiling was still dripping. I ended up going with a cheap mechanical timer switch, and just set it for 20-25 minutes after I’m done. Not fancy, but I can see (and hear) that it’s doing the job.
Honestly, with how pricey some of those “smart” fans are, I’d rather stick with something I know will work every time. I get tempted by the tech, but sometimes the basic stuff just wins out—especially when I’m the one footing the bill if it breaks.
“I ended up going with a cheap mechanical timer switch, and just set it for 20-25 minutes after I’m done. Not fancy, but I can see (and hear) that it’s doing the job.”
Honestly, I’ve seen way too many “smart” sensors fail in client bathrooms. The timer switch is simple, reliable, and you’re not guessing if it’s working. If you want to go a step further, crack the door open after your shower—old-school but effective. Sometimes low-tech is just less hassle.
