Bathroom Fan Ratings
Scope
ENERGY STAR Certified Homes (Version 3.0, Revision 08) requires that bathroom exhaust fans used as part of a whole-house mechanical ventilation system be ENERGY STAR qualified products.
- ENERGY STAR exempts fans that have a rated flow of ≥ 500 CFM.
See the Compliance Tab for related codes and standards requirements, and criteria to meet national programs such as DOE’s Zero Energy Ready Home program, ENERGY STAR Certified Homes, and Indoor airPLUS.
Description
To meet ASHRAE 62.2 ventilation requirements, the HVAC designer may specify that an exhaust fan should be set for continuous or intermittent, timed operation. In homes where the bathroom exhaust fan is used as part of a whole-house mechanical ventilation system, the bathroom fan to be installed should be a model that is ENERGY STAR qualified.
ENERGY STAR qualified ventilation fans must meet specifications ensuring higher energy efficiency with less noise. These models feature high-performance motors and improved blade design, providing better performance and longer life.
Fans exempted from this requirement include fans with a rated flow rate equal to or greater than 500 CFM, HVAC air handlers, and remote-mounted fans. To be considered for this exemption, a remote-mounted fan must be mounted outside the habitable spaces and bathrooms and hallways and there must be at least 4 feet of ductwork between the fan and intake grille.
For more on continuously operating exhaust fans and ASHRAE 62.2 requirements, see Intermittent Supply/Exhaust Fan Ratings and Continuous Supply/Exhaust Fan Ratings.
How to Select ENERGY STAR-Qualified Bathroom Fans
- When specifying and purchasing bathroom fans that will be part of the home’s whole house mechanical ventilation strategy, select fans that are ENERGY STAR qualifying.
- To identify ENERGY STAR qualifying exhaust fans:
- See the ENERGY STAR website for a list of qualifying products.
- And/or check the manufacturer’s literature.
- And/or check the label on the fan housing for the ENERGY STAR label.
Figure 1 - The manufacturer’s label found on the inside of this exhaust fan housing includes an ENERGY STAR label at the lower right, indicating that this fan is an ENERGY STAR qualifying model. 
Ensuring Success
In homes where the bathroom exhaust fan is used as part of a whole-house mechanical ventilation system, the HERS rater should inspect to ensure that the fan is ENERGY STAR qualified.
To meet the requirements of the DOE Zero Energy Ready Home program, all bathroom exhaust fans installed in the home must be ENERGY STAR qualified.
Climate
No climate specific information applies.
Training
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None Available
Compliance
ENERGY STAR Certified Homes (Version 3/3.1, Revision 08), Rater Field Checklist
7. Whole-House Mechanical Ventilation System
7.6 Bathroom fans are ENERGY STAR certified if used as part of the whole-house system44
Footnotes:
(44) Bathroom fans with a rated flow rate ≥ 500 CFM are exempted from the requirement to be ENERGY STAR certified.
ENERGY STAR Revision 08 requirements are required for homes permitted starting 07/01/2016.
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Zero Energy Ready Home Program specifies as a mandatory requirement that all bathroom ventilation fans are ENERGY STAR qualified (See DOE Zero Energy Ready Home National Program Requirements, Exhibit 1, Item 5.)
Ventilation and Acceptable Indoor Air Quality in Low-Rise Residential Buildings. The standard applies to spaces intended for human occupancy in single-family homes and multifamily homes that are three stories or less, including manufactured and modular homes. The standard provides minimum acceptable requirements for mechanical and natural ventilation in these spaces.
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Quality Installed Bath Fan = Professionally Installed Bath Fan
A trained technician will ensure that the bath fan has adequate flow rate for the application, the damper is functional, the exhaust vent is properly installed to vent to the outside, air sealing is installed around the fan box and vent duct, noise levels meet requirements, and if timers or other controls are to be used, that they are properly installed and set. A professional will help to determine the levels of ventilation needed for comfort and health and can design control strategies to meet those goals.
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