"you won't even notice the difference between 1 sone and 0.5 sones unless you're really listening for it."
Exactly my experience. Recently installed a fan rated around 1 sone, and honestly, nobody in the house notices it running. Better to focus on proper venting layout—makes way more difference than splitting hairs over sound ratings.
Yeah, I get what you're saying about the sound rating not being a huge deal, but I'd say it depends on the situation. A while back, I swapped out an old noisy fan—probably around 3 sones—for one rated at 0.5 sones. Honestly, the difference was night and day. It wasn't just quieter; it changed how often people actually used it. Before, everyone would avoid turning it on because it sounded like a jet engine warming up... now it's running pretty much whenever someone showers.
But you're right about venting layout making a big difference too. I've seen bathrooms with super quiet fans that still had mold issues because the ductwork was poorly routed or undersized. Properly sized ducts and smooth airflow paths definitely matter more than shaving off half a sone here or there.
"Properly sized ducts and smooth airflow paths definitely matter more than shaving off half a sone here or there."
Totally agree with this. I replaced my fan last year too—went from about 4 sones to around 1—and it made a huge difference in comfort. But honestly, the biggest improvement was when I straightened out some kinked ducting and sealed up leaks. Quiet is nice, but proper airflow is what really keeps mold away...and saves money in the long run.
Interesting points here, and I'm definitely on board with the airflow improvements making a bigger difference than just noise reduction. I've had similar experiences with mold issues in older bathrooms, and sealing ducts properly was a game changer. But now I'm curious—did you notice any significant difference in humidity levels after you straightened out the ducting? I've been debating whether it's worth investing in one of those humidity-sensing fans or if just improving the ductwork alone would be enough. Also wondering if anyone's tried insulating their bathroom ducts—does it really help prevent condensation buildup? Seems like there's always another step to consider when tackling bathroom renos...
- Definitely noticed a drop in humidity after fixing my ductwork—nothing dramatic, but enough to make the mirror clear up faster after showers.
- I did end up insulating my ducts last year, and honestly, it made a noticeable difference with condensation. Before, I'd get drips forming on colder days; now that's pretty much gone.
- Haven't tried the humidity-sensing fan yet...seems cool, but improving airflow and insulation alone has been solid for me so far.
