ASHRAE. 2010. ASHRAE Standard 62.2-2010, Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality in Low-Rise Residential Buildings. Atlanta: American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Inc.
Bathroom Fan Ratings
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Scope
Local Mechanical Exhaust
Bathroom fans used as part of a whole-house mechanical ventilation system shall be ENERGY STAR qualified; unless rated flow rate ≥ 500 CFM
Install ENERGY STAR qualified fans if the fans:
- Are part of a whole-house mechanical ventilation system
- Have a flow rate less than 500 CFM
Notes:
Fans exempted from this requirement include HVAC air handlers and remote-mounted fans. To be considered for this exemption, a remote-mounted fan must be mounted outside the habitable spaces, bathrooms, toilets, and hallways and there shall be ≥ 4 feet of ductwork between the fan and intake grill. Per ASHRAE 62.2-2010, habitable spaces are intended for continual human occupancy; such space generally includes areas used for living, sleeping, dining, and cooking but does not generally include bathrooms, toilets, hallways, storage areas, closets, or utility rooms.
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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 (ENERGY STAR 2012).
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.
Climate
No climate specific information applies.
Right and Wrong Images
Presentations
None Available
Videos
None Available
CAD Images
None Available
Compliance
ENERGY STAR Version 3, (Rev. 6)
HVAC System Quality Checklist, Ventilation & Exhaust Fan Ratings (Exemptions for HVAC and Remote-Mounted Fans). Continuous supply & exhaust fans rated at ≤ 1 sone by manufacturer when producing no less than the minimum airflow required by Section 8 of the checklist. Fans exempted from this requirement include HVAC air handlers and remote-mounted fans. To be considered for this exemption, a remote-mounted fan must be mounted outside the habitable spaces, bathrooms, toilets, and hallways and there shall be ≥ 4 feet of ductwork between the fan and intake grill. Per ASHRAE 62.2-2010, habitable spaces are intended for continual human occupancy; such space generally includes areas used for living, sleeping, dining, and cooking but does not generally include bathrooms, toilets, hallways, storage areas, closets, or utility rooms.
Exhibit 1: Mandatory Requirements. Certified under ENERGY STAR Qualified Homes Version 3.
ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 62.2.-2010
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.
This topic is not specifically addressed in the 2009 IECC.
This topic is not specifically addressed in the 2009 IRC.
This topic is not specifically addressed in the 2012 IECC.
This topic is not specifically addressed in the 2012 IRC.
Case Studies
None Available
References
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ASHRAE Standard 62.2-2010, Ventilation for Acceptable Indoor Air Quality in Low-Rise Residential Buildings
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DOE Challenge Home National Program Requirements
DOE. 2012. DOE Challenge Home National Program Requirements (Rev. 02). Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, U.S. Department of Energy, Washington, D.C.
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ENERGY STAR Qualified Homes, Version 3 (Rev. 06) Inspection Checklist for National Program Requirements
EPA. 2012. ENERGY STAR Qualified Homes, Version 3 (Rev. 06) Inspection Checklist for National Program Requirements. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C.
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Fans, Ventilating for Consumers
EPA/DOE. 2012. Fans, Ventilating for Consumers. ENERGY STAR, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Energy, Washington, D.C.
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HVAC System Quality Installation Rater Checklist
EPA. 2011. HVAC System Quality Installation Rater Checklist. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C.
