I replaced the fan in the first floor bathroom that was originally installed over 20 years ago by the contractor. This was always a noisy fan that moved almost no air. I took a chance on getting this Air King fan sight unseen since I was pretty sure almost anything would be better than the fan I already had.
I had to enlarge the existing hole by about an inch on two sides to accommodate the fan housing. I nailed the bracket to the joist using a small sledge. I was cramped for room since my fan sits in the corner of the bathroom and I was not able to get much "muscle" into my hammer blows with a light hammer. I positioned the fan up into the hole and pushed it to one side so I could attach the duct. Then I pushed it over to the other side to give me room to push the wiring into the housing.
I snapped the fan in place and was disappointed that the fan drooped about an inch below the ceiling on the side away from the bracket. I had to move the fan housing aside and bend the bracket downward so that when I snapped the fan in it would be held tighter. That was an annoyance but it seems to be holding OK. The fan still droops a bit but it is not noticeable at all once the grille is snapped into place. The grille hugs the ceiling closely on all sides, so it looks just fine.
During the installation I was very wary because at least one reviewer was adamant that one could not install this fan without getting above it in the attic or making the hole extra large. I found no need for that at all. As long as you have sufficient room to move the fan housing to one side or the other inside the opening you can make power and duct connections through the hole in the ceiling. Then you have to work the fan into position so it can drop through the hole a bit while you catch it on the bracket lip and then push it up to snap it in place. If my duct had been rigid I could see where there might be a complication, but I used metal flexible duct. Even so, I'm not sure that rigid duct would have been that hard to work with on installing the fan, so I am unclear why some have had a problem with this.
The fan works like a charm. I was hoping it would be a little quieter (actually I was hoping for near silence) but it is much quieter than the fan I replaced. I think some of the noise is just the sound of the air moving. I could not resist seeing if a paper towel would be held up tightly by the air pressure and it was. I think if I actually had 4-inch ducting all along the path it would be quieter. I believe the transition from 4-inch to 3-inch creates some back pressure. Anyway, the noise is not obnoxious it is just that you will know the fan is on that's for sure.
I believe if you want a super quiet fan you are just going to have to pay the bucks for it. I did lustily eye those Panasonics, but they were just too much for me to bear cost-wise. Also, it looked like they would be a major pain to install if you could not get to the fan from above.
I am happy with this fan. I think the motor alone is worth the price of the fan. It certainly looks like a quality item. So even though I am complaining that it not as quiet as I'd like, for the price I have no complaint at all. I am giving this fan 5 stars because it is more than one would expect for the price and it is very well made.
(I also installed the similar Air King 140cfm model in a larger bathroom. That fan is rated at 4 Sones and is pretty loud. That fan is connected to a 4-inch duct without reducers so the noise is all within the fan and not my duct. It moves a lot of air and it is still quieter than the original cheap fan ever was while moving perhaps 4 times as much air (my guess).)
| Brand | Air King |
|---|---|
| Color | BFQ90 |
| Electric fan design | Ceiling Fan |
| Power Source | Corded Electric |
| Style | Traditional |
| Product Dimensions | 10"D x 10"W x 4.75"H |
| Room Type | Bathroom |
| Recommended Uses For Product | Indoor, Home |
| Noise Level | 3 Sones |
| Finish Type | White |
| Air Flow Capacity | 90 Cubic Feet Per Minute |
| Indoor/Outdoor Usage | Indoor |
| Model Name | Bath Fan |
| Control Method | Touch |
| Blade Material | Plastic |
| Manufacturer | Air King |
| Part Number | BFQ90 |
| Item Weight | 4.99 pounds |
| Country of Origin | China |
| Item model number | BFQ 90 |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Size | 90 CFM |
| Finish | White |
| Installation Method | Ceiling Mount |
| Item Package Quantity | 1 |
| Number Of Pieces | 1 |
| Number of Handles | 1 |
| Batteries Included? | No |
| Batteries Required? | No |
| Warranty Description | 1-Year parts only |
