Best Broan Wall Cap Vent

Ideal for a kitchen, laundry room, workshop, or other space in need of effective ventilation, the 6-inch Broan through wall utility fan (model 512M) helps remove anything from cooking fumes and odors to excess humidity or tobacco smoke. It moves air at 70 cubic feet per minute (CFM), and it produces a quiet 3.5-sone level of sound.

Includes 6-inch flexible duct (view larger).

The fan installs easily through an exterior wall that measures between 5-1/4 inches and 10 inches thick, and a 6-inch-diameter flexible aluminum duct comes included. Attractively designed, the two round-shaped white polymeric grilles can be painted to match decor, and the interior grille spins on easily to install. Its permanently lubricated, thermally protected motor is strong and durable, and its 25-gage steel housing has an electrically bonded black epoxy paint finish. It can be controlled with a remotely mounted wall switch or Broan model 57W or 57V variable speed control (not included).

Considerations When Choosing a Home Ventilation System

Homes are now built much more efficiently than they once were, making them far less costly to heat and air condition. That said, having proper ventilation throughout the home is now imperative in order to provide a safe and comfortable living environment. Broan ventilation fans provide the best solutions to ensure that contaminants are constantly removed from the indoors.

Eliminating excess moisture keeps your home dry and comfortable and can help avoid mold and mildew. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) “outgas” from construction materials such as plywood, carpet, fabric, paint, adhesive, insulation, and other common items. Allergens, dust, cooking vapor, and what the kids bring home from school are more reasons why good ventilation is critical.

Sones measure the “sound level” of your fan

A sone is a measurement of sound in terms of comfortable hearing level for an average listener. The lower the sone value, the more comfortable the environment. Sones are not decibels or volume, but rather how sound is “sensed.” One sone is half as loud as two sones, and is equivalent to a quiet refrigerator.

Calculate the air movement necessary for proper ventilation

Air movement is measured in cubic feet per minute (CFM). To determine CFM requirements, first determine the size of your room. Measure and multiply the length, width and ceiling height of your room to determine cubic footage. Then use the multiplication factor of .13 and round up to the next “ten.” Here are three examples:

Example 1: Bathroom with 8′ ceiling: 7′ wide x 9′ long x 8′ high x .13 = 66. Select a bath fan with at least 70 CFM.

Example 2: Bathroom with 9′ ceiling: 10′ wide x 9′ long x 9′ high x .13 = 105. Select a bath fan with at least 110 CFM.

Example 3: For a bathroom with a vaulted ceiling, use the average ceiling height at the wall and the peak: 8′ wide x 12′ long x ((8′ at wall + 12′ at peak) / 2 = 10′) average height x .13 = 125. Select a fan (or fans) with at least 130 CFM.

About Broan-NuTone

In 1932, Henry Broan developed and manufactured a kitchen fan called the Motordor Fan that provided quiet and efficient kitchen ventilation. Today, Broan-NuTone leads the industry with forward-thinking residential ventilation products, customized climate, communications and storage solutions and superior customer service. The Broan brand focuses on range hoods, ventilation fans, heater/fan/light combination units, Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) fresh air systems, built-in heaters, whole-house fans, attic ventilators and trash compactors, while the NuTone brand offers door chimes, central vacuum systems, stereo intercom systems, medicine cabinets, ironing centers, ceiling fans and ventilation fans.