Proper ventilation of bathrooms and kitchens is essential in maintaining a clean and healthy home. This is especially true for a humid country like Malaysia where mildew and mold growth are common in a bathroom due to excess humidity and moisture in the air from hot showers. Most homes do not actually come with provisions for natural ventilation, and this is where exhaust fans come in very handy.
Besides drying your bathroom quicker, exhaust fans help maintain good airflow in a room to remove odor and prevent fogging up. Many of these fixtures can even do more than evacuate moist air, they may also provide illumination.
If you’re looking for the best exhaust fan in the market, then you’ve come to the right page. We’ve shortlisted and reviewed some of the best exhaust fans in Malaysia for you to get for your home. We have even included a buyer’s guide so you won’t fly blind and can make a better-informed purchasing decision.
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Buying Guide to Choose the Right Exhaust Fan
Exhaust Fan Sizing
When choosing an exhaust fan, the first thing you need to consider is how big is the bathroom or kitchen. The size of the room will affect which CFM rating you need. A CFM rating is the indicator of the exhaust fan’s ability to move moist air in cubic feet per minute (CFM).
Smaller rooms will require an exhaust fan with a lower CFM rating whereas mid-sized or larger rooms will need to have an exhaust fan with a higher CFM rating to match the room’s square footage. As a rule of thumb, you will need at least 1 CFM for every square foot of your room with standard ceiling height.
Type of Exhaust Fan
There are two types of exhaust fans in Malaysia: Ceiling mounted and window mounted. A ceiling-mounted exhaust fan can be installed on a plaster ceiling or false ceiling. This type of exhaust fan will need additional ducting to channel the air out of your building.
Ceiling mounted exhaust fans are typically installed over or close to the shower or bathtub area since these zones have excessive moisture levels.
Window-mounted exhaust fans, on the other hand, can be mounted on or over a window opening in your room. Since the air is extracted directly out of the building, additional ducting won’t be needed.
However, this type of exhaust fan may require modifications to your window. One option is to cut the window glass according to the exhaust fan and the second option is to get a model that’s installed over a piece of acrylic panel custom cut to fit your window opening. However, the second option will mean that you won’t be able to access your window for good.
Noise Level
The sound of an exhaust fan-produced is measured in decibels. As a reference, the hum of a refrigerator is approximately 28dB and a calm office is approximately 38 – 45 dB.
If you don’t want the drone of an exhaust fan disrupting your peaceful shower or a long soak in the tub, then it’s recommended for you to pick one with the lowest possible decibel rating.
Safety and Energy Efficiency
You should pick an exhaust fan that’s been properly certified to prove that they’ve been tested for safety and efficiency by an independent organization. If you want energy-saving, then you should look out for an Energy Star model. The more energy-efficient your bathroom exhaust fans are, the less energy consumption and money you need to pay every month on bills.
Extra Features
Exhaust fans used to be just that. But new models now come equipped with extra features such as lights and even built-in Bluetooth speakers. However, do take note that these additional features come with a price. So you’ll need to check what your budget is and what you’re willing to pay for.
Best Exhaust Fans Malaysia: 2023 Edition
Here are some of the best exhaust fans in Malaysia built to efficiently improve air circulation in your home.
1. BS Boss 10 Inch Louvered
Specifications
- Product Size: 340 x 140 x 340 mm
- Hole Size: 280 x 280 mm
- Hole Depth: 90mm
- Voltage: 240-265V/50Hz
- Power: 35W
- Air Volume: 12 m3/min
- Noise: 50 dB(A)
- Spinning Speed: 1050 r/min
- Weight: 1.86kg
An exhaust fan is no doubt an indispensable appliance for any house. Although you might not find the humidity or condensation forming in your shower to be a problem, too much humidity can actually encourage mold and mildew growth in your bathroom. To prevent this from happening, you can count on a powerful exhaust fan like the BS Boss 10 Inch Louvered model.
This exhaust fan can extract moist and stale air at a rate of 12 m3/min and is suitable for larger rooms of 20 – 40m2 area. Other than a bathroom, this exhaust fan is suitable to be used in the kitchen and office where there will be a presence of cooking smoke or cigarette smoke.
The exhaust fan is made from a quality ABS material shell that doesn’t turn yellow even after years of operation. This material is also resistant to deformation and makes cleaning easy. The vortex fan blades can also be disassembled for cleaning purposes to remove oil that may affect the fan’s efficiency.
Why buy this:
- Comes with a convenient fuel tank that can be installed and assembled easily.
- Sealed pure copper wire to generate less friction and larger exhaust force.
- Rear check valve design to prevent dust, insect, and rain from getting into the fan.
- Waterproof material that can be cleaned with water.
2. Khind 12 Inch (30cm) Air Ventilation Fan EF1201
Specifications:
- Voltage: 220-240V, 50/60Hz
- Power: 36W
- Blade size: 12” (30cm)
- Air delivery: 578 CFM
- Dimensions: 350 x 350mm
Keep your bathroom free from humidity and prevent the growth of mold and mildew with the Khind 12 inch (30cm) Air Ventilation Fan EF1201. This model might look like every other exhaust fan on the market, but this particular model stands out from the rest thanks to its heavy-duty blades that are made of steel. The steel material and motor cover are designed to withstand hot air and prolong the life of its motor.
While this model might not be the quietest choice on our list, but if you’re only in the bathroom for about 15 to 30 minutes then the constant hum shouldn’t be a big deal. This unit also comes with a backflow louver that prevents “bad” air from getting back into the room.
This unit is also suitable for use in the kitchen to help you remove oily smoke produced while cooking. The exhaust fan features a removable oil receptor to collect excess oil build-up and can be cleaned and washed easily to ensure optimum efficiency.
Why buy this:
- A built-in thermal fuse to prevent overheating.
- Powerful and efficient motor.
- Heavy-duty blades and motor cover.
- Removable oil receptor.
3. KDK 25TGQ7 Ceiling Ventilation Fan
Specifications
- RPM: 1172
- Capacity: 367 CFM
- Motor: 30.3 W
- Motor Rating: 220-240V / 50GHz
- Noise Level: 45dB
- Weight: 1.9kg
- Dimensions: 230 x 253mm
- Product Depth: 214mm
The KDK 25TGQ7 Ceiling Ventilation Fan might look simple at first glance, but you shouldn’t underestimate its capabilities. This compact kitchen exhaust fan has a strong 367 CFM rating that is fantastic for large-sized bathrooms or kitchens. Despite its high CFM rating, this exhaust fan doesn’t produce a lot of noise – which is great if you don’t like to be bothered by white noise.
The ceiling ventilation fan also comes with a new louver design for better wall aesthetics without compromising its operation and efficiency. The exhaust fan also has a ball-bearing motor designed to deliver smoother and more durable operations to quickly remove cooking or bathroom odor whilst saving energy.
Why buy this:
- New design with louver.
- Ball-bearing motor for durable performance.
- 10” Q-blade design for balanced and quieter operation.
- High CFM rating.
4. UniFan 4-8 inch bathroom exhaust fan
Specifications:
- Size: 4 inch/ 6 inch/ 8 inch
- Power: 12W/ 18W/ 25W
- Voltage: 200-240V
- Air Volume: 1m3/min / 2.9 m3/min / 5.0m3/min
Blast odors and increase air circulation in your bathroom without blowing your budget on a pricey exhaust fan. UniFan makes an efficient and affordable bathroom exhaust fan that’s a great pick for homeowners on a tight budget.
The UniFan bathroom exhaust fan is rated for 1m3/min air volume with their 4-inch variant and up to 5m3/min air volume for their 8-inch variant. It earns praise in reviews for being easy to install and can be quickly mounted on a wall or window. However, the somewhat limited CFM may not be the best fit for larger bathrooms in need of serious moisture management.
This budget bathroom exhaust fan delivers a low noise operation, which is great for those who want to shower in peace. The bottom line is that this bathroom exhaust fan is a great choice for tight budgets and smaller bathrooms.
Why buy this:
- Big fan for strong ventilation.
- Check valve design for easier cleaning and maintenance.
- Sealed copper motor to produce less friction and larger exhaust force.
- Easy installation with low noise operation.
5. KDK Ceiling Mount Ventilating Exhaust Fan Smarto 24JRB
Specifications:
- RPM: 794
- Capacity: 94 CFM
- Motor: 8W
- Motor Rating: 220-240 V / 50 Hz
- Motor Tye=pe: DC
- Noise Level: 31dB
- Net Weight: 2.9 kg
- Dimensions: 278 x 300mm
A primary purpose of an exhaust fan is to control humidity and improve air ventilation. But what if you forget to flip the switch to turn the fan on or the humidity levels climb? You may then want to consider an exhaust fan with a Motion Sensor, so you never have to worry about elevated humidity levels again.
This model from KDK moves air at 94 CFM and operates at a low 31 dB noise level, but what really sets this fan apart is the integrated motion sensor. The program will turn on automatically when it senses human motion, so you never have to worry about turning on the switch again.
Another great thing about this Sirocco ventilating fan is that it can be installed on the ceiling connected with ductwork to remove exhausted air through the roof or exterior wall. The unit also comes with a taper blade design for strong and smooth operation to ventilate the air in the room efficiently without creating too much noise.
Why buy this:
- Auto turns on with a motion sensor.
- Taper blade design for smooth and strong operation.
- Resonance-Absorption Structure for low noise operation.
6. KDK Raku-Raku Ventilating Fan
Specifications:
- RPM: 1100
- Capacity: 491 CFM
- Motor: 34W
- Motor Rating: 220-240V / 50Hz
- Motor Type: HP
- Noise Level: 42dB
- Weight: 2.8kg
- Dimensions: 371 x 352 mm
- Depth: 352mm
The KDK Raku-Raku Ventilating Fan was specially designed for residential kitchens as it can effectively eliminate cooking odor and elevate levels of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide by circulating oxygen from outside. Aside from that, the ventilating fan can also help reduce excess moisture and humidity in the kitchen to prevent mold and mildew growth.
The high-performance HP motor is able to deliver up to 491 CFM of air delivery capacity to suit larger kitchens. The unit even comes with an aluminum punching filter that’s covered with non-stick coating for easy maintenance. The filter even helps to prevent larger insects from crawling into your house from outside.
On top of that, the ventilating fan comes with an oil deposition to trap oil as well as an oil indicator on the container to let you know when it’s time to dispose of the oil collected. The fan features an advanced blade design and half pitch motor to optimized airflow while minimizing noise generation. All in all, the KDK Raku-Raku Ventilating fan is a great choice to help clear up the smoke, grease, and unwanted odor in your kitchen.
Why buy this:
- Large ventilation capacity.
- Comes with an aluminum punching filter with a non-stick coating.
- Easy maintenance.
- Oil depositor with oil level indicator.
- Advanced blade design for optimized airflow and minimal noise generation.
7. KDK 15WUD Glass Mount Propeller
Specifications
- RPM: 1463
- Capacity: 124 CFM
- Motor: 8W
- Motor Rating: 220-240V / 50GHz
- Motor Type: Condenser
- Noise Level: 35dB
- Net Weight: 0.9kg
- Dimensions: 210mm (diameter)
- Depth: 98mm
Not everyone likes to purchase an exhaust fan for their daily home usage, but the KDK 15WUD glass mount propeller could certainly be an anomaly. This glass-mounted exhaust is an appliance that will be used very often, especially in the bathroom to circulate clean fresh air and remove odor and moisture.
The exhaust fan comes equipped with an improved high-performance condenser motor for longer life whereas the strengthened shutter structure improves the unit’s overall durability. The blades also feature advanced design to deliver high air volume at very low noise levels of a maximum of 35dB. This means that you don’t have to worry about the fan disrupting your peaceful soak in the bathtub.
A great advantage about getting this exhaust fan is that the unit can be installed directly into the glass window, so you won’t have to hack your wall. The model also uses very low power consumption with up to 50% reduction in energy usage compared to KDK’s older models.
However, the installation might be a challenge for some since it involves cutting the glass. So, we suggest leaving this to the professionals. Aside from that, the KDK 15WUD is an excellent bathroom exhaust fan that can efficiently ventilate the air in your bathroom for fresher and healthy air always.
Why buy this:
- Condenser motor for longer lifetime and low power consumption.
- High air volume and low noise level.
- Can be installed directly into a glass window.
Benefits of Installing an Exhaust Fan
An exhaust fan brings a ton of benefits and comfort for those who choose to install it in their homes. On top of circulating the air in the room, here are some other benefits of having exhaust fans:
Exhaust fans are a quick and efficient way to quickly cool down a room after a hot shower or after an intense cooking session in the kitchen. The exhaust fan quickly removes hot air from the room and replaces it with fresh air from outside. They’re also a much more energy-efficient option compared to air conditioners.
Exhaust fans can remove excess and unnecessary moisture in a bathroom. Too much humidity in a room can lead to mildew and mold growth, both of which can lead to dangerous health impacts if left unattended. This can be especially true for rooms with many kinds of wood and metal furniture as they provide the best medium for microorganism growth.
Exhaust fans can act as a ventilator for rooms with no windows. The exhaust fans will remove humidity, odor, as well as other contaminants while promoting much-needed airflow within the room.
How to Clean an Exhaust Fan
Cleaning and maintaining an exhaust fan is important to ensure good efficiency. Fortunately, cleaning them is a fairly easy task. Below are a few simple steps to clean your exhaust fan properly:
If your exhaust fan comes with mesh filters, you will need to remove them and pour boiling water on them. Next, you can mix half a cup of ammonia with one gallon of hot water to soak the mesh filters for about an hour. You can then scrub the mesh filter to get rid of any stubborn dirt.
To clean the fan blades, you’ll need to mix soap and water, or you can also use ¼ cup of ammonia, 2 tablespoons of baking soda with a cup of warm water. Make sure you put on a mask and rubber gloves to keep yourself protected from chemicals.
Kitchen exhaust fans may be loaded with grease build-up that is difficult to break down. To make it easier for you, you should use caustic chemicals to scrub the fan parts before rinsing them off with hot water. You can also apply the chemicals via a chemical foam, garden sprayer, or a downstream injection via a pressure washer.
For heavier grease build-up, you can make use of scrapers to remove larger pieces before applying any chemicals. You can also use a small steam cleaner to remove the dirt and grease before wiping it off with a wet towel.
Conclusion
As you’ve seen, there are plenty of great options available when it comes to choosing the best exhaust fan in Malaysia. The good news is that with the help of our buying guide and product review list, you won’t need to go on a wild hunt just to pick the best one for your needs.
Having an exhaust fan in your kitchen or bathroom is vital for a fresh and cool atmosphere. With that said, you can rest assured knowing that all the exhaust fans reviewed above are of good quality and will provide you with the type of ventilation you desire based on your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is an exhaust fan important?
Exhaust fans can be an essential appliance to ensure a comfortable room by improving ventilation and maintaining good temperature, air quality, and humidity levels.
What does CFM mean?
CFM stands for cubic feet per minute and it represents the amount of air volume the fan is able to exhaust. The higher the CFM number, the greater the air that can be exhausted by the fan.
How can I prevent backdrafts?
Some homes are quite well sealed to preserve energy. In such cases, sucking out a lot of air via the exhaust fan can lead to backdrafts. To prevent this, you will need to install an air inlet for fresh air to enter the room to make up for lost air.
Can exhaust fans get rid of grease and oil vapor in the kitchen?
Yes, exhaust fans can help you get rid of grease and oil vapor in the kitchen, especially if you tend to cook a lot of greasy food. You can also ensure your exhaust fan is working efficiently by cleaning its parts of oil and grease build-up.