BV-BF-03

I have a vaulted ceiling in a bathroom with access to the attic above. This was a new installation in an existing bathroom where there was no fan previously. I had to cut a hole in the ceiling and add a block to a joist to create the right spacing to drive screws through the frame of the fan to support it. I used insulated flexible duct to connect the fan to the roof vent. Both the roof vent and the fan have a flap to prevent air back flow from the outside into the room. I had a helper which helped securing the fan through the hole when driving the screws to the joist and blocking. It would not be easy to install this fan without attic access or an extra pair of hands. I cannot remember if the instructions were not explicit, but I recall “discovering” that the duct cowling on the side of the fan is removable - this is key in getting the fan to fit through the hole. Now I notice that this is noted on the Amazon details for this fan. Easy enough to wire except the pop out in the electrical box on the side of the fan is poorly stamped, making it difficult to remove.The fan itself runs great. I needed to move a lot of air because of the vaulted ceiling (about 14 feet) and for the amount of air this fan moves, I feel it is quiet, particularly for the price. I do not hear any noise from the flap and the fan noise is more than reasonable. There are fans that move this much air and are quieter - they cost three to four times as much. This fan clears a considerable volume of steam from showers. I am pleased with it.Put in a timer - makes sense for a fan.

Like others mentioned, it is very difficult to install. I ended up taking the protruding side off the box then sliding it up into the attic, followed by the remaining box. I was able to do this without help by using a long piece of wood to hold the box up while I mounted it in the attic. The electrical box required a drill to knock-out a hole and was a little bit small for connecting two strands of wires to the fan wiring but I was able to make it work. It runs great! A little louder than I was expecting but I can still have a conversation while it is running! It sucks up all the shower steam from a 12'x12' room when the shower is running!!! Holy steam! I also hooked it up to a 'dryer vent' kit to the outside of my house. Even though the install was difficult, I think it is worth it.

Update: I almost--but not quite give it 5 stars. I bought this "Ultra_Quiet"140 CFM to replace an old 50 CFM Broan that was not doing the job removing the steam from the master bath after a shower. Two known issues. If you are replacing an old 50 CFM (Broan/Nutone) you probably have a 3" duct. Most all these new ones come with 4". No surprise there. I decided to get a 4" to 3" adapter instead of replacing the 3" flex hose. The surprise came when I turned it on and it was noiser than the old 30 yr old Broan which was rated at 3 Sones. It is possible that I overdid the size. Perhaps a 100 CFM would have been better. And pushing 140 CFM into "cheap" 3" flex hose instead of 4" rigid vent pipe probably increases the noise some. The good news: The fan sucks moist air like crazy. No more foggy mirrors. UPDATE: I talked to BV support and they sent me a new fan after they saw a video and heard the sound of the fan. After receiving the new fan I tested the noise level before I installed it. It was very quiet. After I installed the fan it was still too loud-- Soooo.. it had to be something on my end. I was trying to avoid climbing into the attic but decided to replace the 3" plastic flex vent with a 4" metal flex vent ($10 @ Lowes). When in the attic I noticed that the top "latch" part of the fan where they connect was not "latched"- That could have been the source of some of the noise (the rattling part)- That may be a bad design issue because there is really no way to see if that latch is in the slot once the fan and vent/electrical side are connected. (I would advise checking it out by going into the attic after the install)- Also know if you keep the 3" vent the noise will increase. Long story short. Probably great on a new install and because of the 2 pieces, above average on a retrofit. Also if it isn't too hard- replace the 3" vent with a 4"- Quieter and sucks a lot more air.

Very nice fan. It is very quiet and has a strong pull. As a contractor, I have installed a lot of fans. This is a nice fan for the price.

The actual fan is great. It's quiet and works like magic, however, it's all of the surrounding parts that make a great core piece a terrible product.Installation was a nightmare. Following the instructions, and using the included bracket, the cover just kept sliding out of it's clip retainers. Every morning I found it was just falling out. I read a few other reviews that indicated that it helps to attach the bracket from the other side of the wall, which leaves the bracket showing around the cover. There wasn't a good option.Secondly, The damper in the exhaust port rattled awfully. To the point where I had to disassemble the fan once again and remove it. Sure the fan was quiet, but the rattling was worse than any other fan I've heard.I'm going to be forced to replace it, and perform some additional repairs to the ceiling from the troubling installation. It's a nightmare

This exhaust fan is wonderful! Read the instructions before installing and installation will be smooth. I have installed several exhaust fans so thought I could charge in and do this one myself. After about an hour, I was ready to return it and then, sat down with a cup of coffee, and read the instructions. Thirty minutes later, it was in and working and I did not have to go into the attic! The instructions very clearly show how to take the side with electric and vent off. Put this in first with connections in place and the rest of the unit slides in smoothly. Hope this helps everyone. This unit leaves no moisture on the mirrors after a hot shower. I have a large bathroom.