Finally got my bathroom reno approved - permit process wasn’t as scary as I thought

The fan does run longer than I’d probably leave it on, especially in winter when the bathroom gets super steamy. But I haven’t seen any mold since, so I guess that’s worth the tradeoff for me.

That’s the thing - mold is a nightmare to deal with once it starts, so I’d rather have a fan that overruns than risk it. Did you notice if the humidity sensor is sensitive enough? Some of mine seem to kick on if someone just takes a hot shower for five minutes, but others barely react unless it’s a sauna in there. Also, did you have to mess with attic access or was everything reachable from below? That’s always my least favorite part... crawling around up there with insulation everywhere.

Yeah, attic access is always a pain - last time I had to move a bunch of old insulation just to get to the vent line, and I was itchy for days. I’ve noticed those humidity sensors can be hit or miss too. One of mine basically ignores anything under a full-on steam bath, but another kicks on if you so much as run hot water for a minute. Did you end up adjusting the sensitivity, or just leave it as-is? I’ve heard some folks swap out the sensors for better ones, but I haven’t tried that yet.

Humidity Sensors Aren’t Always Worth the Hassle

I’ll be honest, I’ve stopped bothering with those humidity sensors in most of my units. Here’s why:

- The inconsistency you mentioned is exactly what drove me nuts. Some sensors are hypersensitive, others barely register a shower. Even after fiddling with the sensitivity dials, it’s a guessing game.
- Tenants either complain the fan runs too much or not enough. Either way, I end up fielding calls about it.
- Swapping out for “better” sensors hasn’t made a big difference in my experience. I tried a pricier Leviton model in one place - still got weird results depending on how steamy the bathroom got.

What’s worked better for me:

- Standard timer switches. Set it for 20–30 minutes post-shower and you’re done. Less to go wrong, and tenants get used to it pretty quickly.
- If you really want automation, motion sensors tied to the fan have been more reliable than humidity ones. At least you know the fan will run when someone’s in there.

I get why people like the idea of humidity sensors - hands-off and all that - but in practice, they’re just another thing to troubleshoot. Unless you’re super particular about energy savings or have a high-end system, I’d keep it simple.

And yeah, attic work is always miserable. Last time I was up there, I found an old wasp nest wedged behind some insulation... nearly jumped out of my skin. Give me a straightforward switch any day over crawling around up there again.

Timer switches are the way to go, honestly. I’ve swapped out a bunch of humidity sensors after tenants kept calling about the fan running at weird times or not at all. With a timer, you just set it for 20-30 minutes after a shower and forget it - no more guessing games. If you want to get fancy, motion sensors work too, but I’ve found timers are less hassle in the long run. Just make sure you pick one with a decent range of settings, not those cheap ones that only do 5 or 10 minutes. Keeps things simple and reliable.

I get what you mean about timers being more reliable. I’ve had a humidity sensor in my bathroom for a couple years and it’s honestly been a mixed bag. Sometimes it kicks the fan on when I’m just running hot water for the sink, which feels like overkill, and other times it doesn’t seem to notice a steamy shower at all.

I do worry a bit about timers, though - what if someone forgets to set it after a shower? Or is that just me being overly cautious? I guess with guests or kids, I’m always thinking about the “what ifs.”

Just make sure you pick one with a decent range of settings, not those cheap ones that only do 5 or 10 minutes.

That’s a good point. I’ve seen some with like 60-minute options, but then I wonder if people will just leave it running forever and waste energy. Has anyone tried the combo switches that have both humidity and timer settings? Curious if that’s just overcomplicating things or actually helpful.

I totally get where you’re coming from about the combo switches. I put one in at my last place after getting frustrated with the humidity sensor missing the mark, but honestly, it felt like too much fiddling for most folks. My partner would just hit the timer and ignore the humidity part, so it kind of defeated the purpose. I guess if you’ve got people who’ll actually use both features, it could work, but in my experience, simpler is usually better - especially with guests or kids around. Sometimes tech just adds more confusion than it solves...

- Been there with the “smart” switches - sometimes they’re just too clever for their own good.
- I’ve seen more than a few folks get tripped up by all those extra buttons and settings. Half the time, people just want to flip a switch and move on.
- That said, when it works, it’s pretty slick... but yeah, if you’ve got kids or guests, expect some confusion (and maybe a few accidental disco light shows).
- Honestly, I always say: if you need a manual to turn on the fan, it’s probably overkill.
- Still, hats off for giving it a shot. Sometimes you gotta try the fancy stuff to know what actually works for your place.

I totally get what you mean about the smart switches. I tried installing one of those “all-in-one” panels in my old apartment, and honestly, I spent more time explaining it to guests than actually using it myself. My partner still jokes about the time we accidentally set the lights to “party mode” at 7am - definitely not what you want before coffee.

For our new place, I’ve been debating whether to go simple or try out some of those fancier features again. The idea of controlling everything from my phone sounds cool, but sometimes I just want to hit a button and be done. Does anyone actually use all the extra settings after the first week? Or do most people just stick with on/off in the end?

I guess it’s a balance between convenience and just keeping things straightforward, especially with kids running around. Curious if anyone’s found a setup that’s easy for everyone but still has a few smart perks that don’t confuse visitors...

I’ve run into the same thing in a few of my rentals - tried out some of those “smart” panels thinking it’d be a selling point, but honestly, most tenants just want a regular switch. The more complicated it gets, the more calls I get about how to turn the lights on or off. One place had voice controls and it confused everyone, especially older folks or guests. At this point, I stick with basic dimmers and maybe a motion sensor in the bathroom. Keeps things simple but still feels a bit upgraded. Too many bells and whistles just seem to cause headaches down the line...

The more complicated it gets, the more calls I get about how to turn the lights on or off.

That’s been my experience too. I tried a few “smart” switches with app controls, but the learning curve just isn’t worth it for most renters. Even the motion sensors can be hit or miss - sometimes people complain they turn off too soon, or not at all if you’re in the shower. I’ve found basic dimmers are about as fancy as most folks want.

Curious if you’ve had any luck with humidity-sensing fans or timers in your bathroom renos? I’ve been debating whether they’re worth the extra cost. They seem like a nice upgrade on paper, but I’m not sure if tenants actually use them or just ignore the features.

Curious if you’ve had any luck with humidity-sensing fans or timers in your bathroom renos? I’ve been debating whether they’re worth the extra cost. They seem like a nice upgrade on paper, but I’m not sure if tenants actually use them or just ignore the features.

I’ve put in a couple humidity-sensing fans for family and honestly, it’s a mixed bag. My uncle’s place - he never touches the switch, just lets the sensor do its thing, and it seems to keep the bathroom dry. But at my sister’s rental, tenants kept flipping the breaker because they thought the fan was “broken” when it ran longer than expected. Ended up swapping it for a regular timer switch.

Timers are a bit more foolproof, but even then, I’ve seen folks just leave them set to “off” and forget about it. I get why people like the idea of automation, but sometimes simple is safer. Less chance of someone messing with wiring or getting confused and calling you at 10pm because the fan won’t stop.

If you do go for a sensor, maybe stick with one that has a manual override. That way, if someone doesn’t trust the tech, they can still use it like a normal fan. Just my two cents from seeing both sides...

I get where you’re coming from about “simple is safer,” but honestly, I think that’s only true up to a point. In my experience, the biggest problem with regular timer switches is that people just don’t use them - or they set them for two minutes and call it good, which doesn’t actually do much for moisture. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve seen mold creeping up the ceiling in places where folks were supposed to run the fan after showers, but didn’t bother.

“Timers are a bit more foolproof, but even then, I’ve seen folks just leave them set to ‘off’ and forget about it.”

Exactly. That’s why I lean toward humidity-sensing fans, even if they’re not perfect. Sure, you’ll get the occasional tenant who thinks the fan is haunted or something, but most people just want to get in and out of the bathroom without thinking about it. The sensor does the job for them. I’ve had way fewer callbacks for moisture issues since I started putting them in, especially in rentals where you can’t count on folks to follow instructions.

I do agree that the manual override is a must, though. Some of the older models were a pain - either they’d never shut off, or they’d kick on at the slightest whiff of steam from a cup of tea. The newer ones are a lot better, and if someone really wants to turn it off, they can. But honestly, I’d rather deal with a few confused phone calls than repaint a ceiling every year because someone can’t be bothered to hit a switch.

At the end of the day, nothing’s totally foolproof, but I’d rather trust a sensor than hope tenants remember to use a timer. Just my two cents - sometimes a little tech headache up front saves a lot of maintenance down the line.

Couldn’t agree more about the humidity sensors. I’ve seen way too many bathrooms where timers just end up as wall decorations - folks either forget or set them for, like, 90 seconds and call it a day. Mold loves that kind of neglect. The newer sensors are a huge step up, especially with the manual override (because yeah, nobody wants the fan running after you just boiled water for ramen). Bit of tech confusion beats scraping mildew off grout any day.

Humidity Sensors Are a Game Changer, But Not Foolproof

You nailed it with the humidity sensors - I've lost count of how many times I've seen tenants ignore the timer fans or just crank them for a minute and call it good. But I’m curious, have you run into any issues with those newer sensors misfiring? I had one setup where the fan would kick on every time someone took a hot shower, which is great, but then it’d also start up if someone just left the door open and humidity from the hallway drifted in. Not a big deal, but it made me wonder if there’s a sweet spot for calibration.

I do agree that tech confusion is better than dealing with moldy grout... that stuff is a nightmare to clean once it settles in. At least with the manual override, people aren’t stuck listening to the fan drone on after making tea or something. Out of curiosity, do you think these sensors actually help keep maintenance calls down long-term? I’m still on the fence about retrofitting all my older units.

Funny you mention the calibration - had a similar thing happen in my last reno. The fan would kick on every time someone opened the bathroom window, just from the outside air. I fiddled with the sensor sensitivity for ages and finally found a setting that worked... mostly. I do think they're worth it in terms of reducing moisture issues, but I still get the odd call about “the fan won’t turn off.” It’s not perfect, but honestly, fewer headaches than dealing with peeling paint or moldy caulk down the line. Retrofitting older units is a pain, though - sometimes the wiring alone makes me question if it’s worth it.

Retrofitting older units is a pain, though - sometimes the wiring alone makes me question if it’s worth it.

I hear you on the retrofits. Honestly, I’ve started leaning toward just sticking with a good old timer switch in some of my older places. The humidity sensors are great in theory, but between the wiring headaches and those random “why won’t it shut off?” calls, sometimes simple is better. Haven’t had any major moisture issues since I started just reminding tenants to run the fan after showers. Not perfect, but way less hassle for me.

I get where you’re coming from, but I’ve seen too many bathrooms with mold creeping in because someone “forgot” to run the fan. I’ve had better luck with those basic humidity sensors, even if they’re a pain to wire. Sometimes I just bite the bullet and deal with the hassle upfront - beats chasing moisture problems down the road. But yeah, timer switches are definitely less headache when you’re dealing with old wiring that looks like it was installed by a raccoon.

Sometimes I just bite the bullet and deal with the hassle upfront - beats chasing moisture problems down the road.

Honestly, I wish more folks thought like this. I get the appeal of a timer switch, but it only works if everyone remembers to use it (which, yeah... good luck with that in my house). Humidity sensors might be annoying to install, but they actually solve the problem at the source. I've had to rip out drywall before because someone kept "forgetting" the fan - never again. For me, a bit of pain now is worth less headache later.

Yeah, humidity sensors are a game changer. I’ve seen too many bathrooms where folks tried to cut corners - just a basic fan on a switch, maybe a timer if you’re lucky. Fast forward a year or two and you’re looking at peeling paint, mold in the grout, sometimes even mushy drywall. Had a job last winter where the homeowner swore everyone would use the timer... didn’t happen. Ended up replacing half the ceiling. It’s a pain to wire in the sensor, but honestly? Saves you way more headache (and money) down the line.

Totally agree about the humidity sensors - wish I’d known about them before my last reno. I tried to save a few bucks and just put in a regular fan with a switch, thinking “how hard can it be to remember?” Turns out, pretty hard when you’ve got teenagers who treat the bathroom like a sauna. Ended up with some funky spots on the ceiling that took way more time (and money) to fix than just doing it right the first time. Wiring’s a pain, but honestly, not as bad as scraping off moldy paint later.