Best Exhaust Fan for Garage
When it comes to setting up your garage space for success, you will want to look into the best insulation and heating or heater options– but something you may not have considered is implementing an exhaust fan, too! Exhaust fans can help to remove pollutants from the air, which can be very important in a garage, especially if you are using it as a workspace in addition to vehicle storage. Read on for more information on garage exhaust fans, and a roundup of some of the best options for your garage space.
Benefits of a Garage Exhaust Fan
Whether you use your garage as a workspace or are only using it as a space to keep your vehicle, there are likely many pollutants in the air of this enclosed space. These could include chemicals and smells from the work that you are doing, as well as exhaust and other fumes from your vehicle. WIthout windows and other such ventilation in your garage, these pollutants just sit in your garage space and could be harmful to you if you spend too much time inhaling them. This is why it is important to find a good garage exhaust fan for your space. An exhaust fan can increase the safety of the space, and can also make it more bearable for you to be spending longer amounts of time in there, especially in the warmer months where heat also becomes a problem.
Garage exhaust fans not only increase the safety of the space but can increase your comfort levels in the area, too!
Best Exhaust Fans for Your Garage
Take a look at the below list of garage exhaust fans to find the one that best fits your needs.
Maxx Air 14” Garage Exhaust Fan
The Maxx Air 14” Garage Exhaust fan is easy to install and convenient and easy to operate– which can not always be said for garage fans! It is also very efficient when it comes to removing odors from your garage. While all exhaust fans are designed to remove odors from your space, not all of them are able to successfully remove odors like this model, so this particular benefit is a big perk!
There are pre-drilled screw holes in the frame of this model for easy hanging and installation.It also has exterior shutters which can open up automatically when the model is powered on, rather than having to be fiddled with manually. The model includes features like an enclosed motor, which can protect it from damage and the elements, and an easy button push start. It runs at 1400 CFM (or cubic feet per meter).
Some of its characteristics are below:
- 1-year manufacturer warranty
- Automatic open and close exterior shutters
- Easy to operate
- Easy to install
- Quiet operation
- Thin Louvre mechanism
- 1400 CFM maximum output
iPower 12”k Garage Exhaust Fan
The iPower 12”k Garage Exhaust fan is a great option if you want to get the most bang for your buck! While it is smaller than the Maxx Air model and some others on this list, it is still very powerful and will be able to get the job done. In fact, though it is smaller than the Maxx Air, it is still more powerful than it. It also has many features that are similar to the MaxxAir, such as automatic shutters and an enclosed motor.
This model has a maximum capacity of 1600 CFM and is made of aluminum rather than galvanized steel. Its fan blades are 12 inches, as is called out in the name of the model, so they are smaller than the Maxx Air with its 14-inch fan blades. One of the iPower model’s more unique selling points is that it can also be hooked up to a thermostat for autonomous operation.
Some of its characteristics are below:
- Inexpensive option
- Quiet operation
- 1/20 Horsepower ball bearing motor
- Very sturdy design
- Sharp edges
- 1600 CFM maximum output
Panasonic Garage Air Fan
The Panasonic Garage Air Fan is not as strong as the previous models mentioned on this list. However, this is a great model for a smaller space or one that does not have quite as many pollutants– for instance, if you are not also using your garage as a workspace, which often requires higher CFM. It is the easiest model on this list to install as well. It can fit into a 6-inch vent and can easily hook up to a 120-volt outlet.
One of the great features of this particular model is that it is EnergyStar certified, and therefore energy efficient. It will require less energy than many of the other models that are recommended in this roundup. As mentioned above, it has significantly lower power and operates at a maximum of 290 CFM.
Some of its characteristics are below:
- Sturdy steel frame
- 3-year limited manufacturer warranty
- Can dehumidify the air to prevent mold and mildew
- No mounting hardware included
- 290 CFM maximum output
iLiving 16” Wall Mounted Exhaust Fan
The iLiving 16” Wall Mounted Exhaust fan is the option on this list with the largest fan blades– as the name says, they are 16 inches in length. Though this model does have the largest fan blades, it is not the strongest fan in this roundup. It has a maximum output of 1200 CFM, which should still be more than enough for your garage space!
Like some of the other fans we’ve discussed above, the iLiving model has an enclosed motor, which is thermally protected and lubricated so that maintenance is quick and easy. There is also a speed controller that allows you to customize the power and speed of your fan. However, the speed controller is sold separately from the fan itself.
Some of its characteristics are below:
- Enclosed motor
- Aluminum frame
- Weather-resistant shutters
- Speed controller sold separately
- 1200 CFM maximum output
Tornado 12” Heavy Duty Exhaust Fan
The Tornado 12” Heavy Duty Exhaust fan is OSHA compliant, which is not the case for all garage fans. It will keep your garage space safe from pollutants, but will also keep you safe from potential accidents! Some of the safety features it includes are a safety grill and sleeve bearing.
It is important to note that this model does need to be hooked into your garage’s electrical wiring, so installation is not quite so easy with this particular model. That being said, there is no need for a remote because it is able to work independently with the garage’s electrical system. This model runs at a maximum of 980 CFM.
Some of its characteristics are below:
- 5-year limited manufacturer warranty
- Inexpensive
- Needs to be hooked up to the garage’s electrical wiring
- 980 CFM maximum output
AC Infinity AIRLIFT T12 Garage Fan
The AC Infinity AIRLIFT T12 Garage fan is an option that does not sacrifice power for the price– it is a great option for those who are on a tight budget when outfitting their garage. It features shutter vents and only needs to be plugged into an outlet to begin working.
This model also comes with an LED remote and can adjust fan speeds based on the temperature and humidity levels in your space. This model has steel shutters and aluminum fan blades, which are highly resistant to liquids and dust. It has a maximum output of 830 CFM.
Some of its characteristics are below:
- Made from alloy steel
- Low energy usage
- Remote control option
- Fan speeds can be adjusted
- 830 CFM maximum output
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an exhaust fan good for a garage?
Yes, exhaust fans are good for garages because they keep the space properly ventilated. It’s important to keep your garage ventilated because garages often build up heat during the warmer months, and they can also become filled with chemicals and fumes that are generated by your car, or if you use the space as a workshop.
What size exhaust fan do I need for my garage?
Generally, a garage exhaust fan is measured by the CFM per square footage of the garage. The recommended rule of thumb is 800 CFM per every 1000 square feet. However, if your space is used as a workshop, too, this rule of thumb is higher. If you use the garage as a workshop, the rule is 4000 CFM per 1000 square feet.
What is the most powerful exhaust fan?
One of the most powerful exhaust fans is the Broan NuTone L300 High CFM Capacity fan.
What is the difference between a ventilation fan and an exhaust fan?
These two types of fans largely differ in their usage and application. First off, a ventilation fan functions to bring clean air into your enclosed space from an outside source. On the other hand, an exhaust fan removes pollutants from the enclosed indoor space. This is why it is better for you to use an exhaust fan in your garage so that you can remove the pollutants entirely.
