How long does a bathroom exhaust fan last?

You can expect a bathroom exhaust fan to last 9 to 12 years, with an average of 10 years. They do require cleaning annually, using a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment, to remove the dust accumulation of the grille face, fan, and motor where accessible. The dust reduces fan life, makes operation noisier and less efficient, and the flammable dust can even start a house fire. Running the fan continuously will also reduce its lifespan.

    Also, see our blog posts What is the code for bathroom ventilation? and Does a bathroom exhaust fan need to be GFCI protected by code? and When did the building code begin requiring bathroom vent fans to discharge to the exterior (not the attic or crawl space)? and How can I check to see if my bathroom exhaust fan is actually working and moving air? and My bathroom is stinky and humid even though it has an exhaust fan. What can I do to fix it? and What are the ventilation requirements for bathrooms and kitchens in mobile homes? 

    Go to our blog post What is the average lifespan of the parts of a house? for rating of other house components. To understand the basis, potential use, and limitations of lifespan ratings, see our blog post How accurate are the average life expectancy ratings of home components? Are they actually useful? 

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Field Guide for Home Inspectors, a quick reference for finding the age of 154 brands of HVAC systems, water heaters, and electrical panels, plus 210 code standards for site-built and manufactured homes, and the life expectancy rating of 195 home components. Available at amazon.com for $19.95.
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Here’s links to a collection of our other blog posts about “TOILETS”: 

• Why is there sand in the bottom of my toilet tank?  

• Are drop-in toilet bowl cleaner tablets safe?

• Why is there mold inside my toilet tank?    

• What are the pros and cons of a wall-mounted toilet?

• What are the minimum clearances around a toilet? 

• What is the little tank on top of the water heater for? 

• What is that big thing in the toilet tank? 

• What is the white plastic tank inside my toilet tank?

• Can I install a commercial (wall-mounted flushometer) toilet in my home? 

• Does a home inspector check toilets?

• What is the code required minimum height above a toilet? 

    Visit our PLUMBING page for other related blog posts on this subject, or go to the INDEX for a complete listing of all our articles. 

NOTE: These life expectancies are based on data provided by InterNACHI, NAHB, FannieMade, and our own professional experience. Because of the numerous variables that can affect a lifespan, they should be used as rough guidelines only, and not relied upon as a warranty or guarantee of future performance.