An Extractor fan is used to displace air from the environment. The air can contain unwanted moisture or gases or particulates that can some be dangerous or unpleasant. In some jurisdictions, installing an extractor fan is mandatory in areas such as the bathroom or kitchen and may a necessary part of the building code.Electric wiring is needed for installing an extractor fan, and the fans come in different capacities, which are largely determined by the amount of air that must be displaced. The capacity is often denoted by the volume of air removed in litres per second. A fan should be installed in each room in your house, and the size of the room will determine the extractor that should be installed with larger rooms needing higher capacity.

There are different designs of fans. Some fans include light accessories, while others may have a manual pull-string that switches the fan on and off. Others are timed and synchronized with the lights or showers and are turned on or off automatically, when the lights and showers are turned on or off. Some regulations may stipulate that an extractor fan with an auto switch is required in the bathroom, if there are no windows.Extractor fans are readily available in DIY stores, or in electrical wholesalers, and there are three different options available for installing your fan. It can be installed in line in the ventilation system, in the wall, or even in the ceiling.