Mandy PhillipsBathroom fans, we need them but often forget to clean them. NuTone has been popular for many residential products like electric heaters, doorbells, and bathroom exhaust fans. But regardless of the manufacturer, bathroom fans need regular cleaning to run at peak efficiency.
Bathroom fans are easily forgotten and are something in our bathroom that usually does not get cleaned until something goes wrong. But a buildup of dust and other debris prevents our fans from doing their job. And if your fan is not performing as it should, moisture can fester into mold.
This article covers how to clean a NuTone bathroom fan. We will discuss the tools you need and give you a step-by-step cleaning guide. The majority of NuTone fans can be cleaned with this process, whether they have a light or not.
Let’s get right to it.
How to Clean NuTone Bathroom Fan
Tools You Will Need
- Dust Mask
- Protective Eyewear
- Handheld Brush (A handheld Dyson vacuum with a brush attachment works even better)
- Screwdriver
- Crescent or Adjustable Wrench
- Cloth or Rag
Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1.
Start by turning off your fan to prevent being electrocuted while you clean. If you have a light in your fan leave the fan off for a few hours to allow the lightbulb to cool down.
Step 2.
Remove the fan’s cover. NuTone fan covers are removed by hand by squeezing one or both ends and pulling down.
Step 3.
After you remove the cover from the ceiling, it will still be hanging there in the air. There are two V-shaped clamps on each end of the cover that you can squeeze to remove the cover completely.
Step 4.
With the cover removed, it’s time to clean it. You can clean the cover with a handheld brush sweeping out all the dust, or by using a handheld vacuum such as a Dyson with a brush attachment. You could have also cleaned the cover while it was still on the ceiling if you wanted.
Step 5.
With your cover cleaned, it’s time to turn your attention to the fan blades and housing.
Step 6.
If your NuTone fan has a light, remove the lightbulb.
Step 7.
There will be a power plug on the fan’s housing. Disconnect it.
Step 8.
The metal plate that holds your fan onto the ceiling can be removed by sliding a flathead screwdriver between it and the ceiling. The plate, your housing motor, and the fan blade will all come down.
Step 9.
Usually, your brush and a rag will be enough to clean the dust from the fan blades and the housing.
Step 10.
Then reattach everything, starting with the plate, the power cord, the lightbulb, and finally the cover.
Step 11.
Run and test your fan, and you should have clean air flowing through it and better ventilation.
FAQ
A lack of cleaning will definitely cause dust to build up, affecting your ventilation and the fan’s suction power over the years. Even worse, this buildup will make your fan work harder, which can prematurely cause the motor to fail.
Bathroom exhaust fans do not require frequent cleaning, but you should clean your fan at least once a year.
You can pick up a brand new NuTone Fan for around $100 to $300. But, of course, the price depends on how big your bathroom is and whether or not you want a unit with a light.
