Broan

Broan is a manufacturer of residential ventilation products, including bathroom exhaust fans, kitchen range hoods, whole-home fresh air systems, and attic ventilation products, with products installed in more than 110 million homes. Broan-NuTone LLC was founded when Broan created the residential ventilation market by introducing the first residential vent fan and has more than 93 years of innovation in the residential ventilation category. Broan was a founding member of the Home Ventilating Institute, helping to set the industry standards that define ventilation performance for residential applications. Broan energy recovery ventilators and heat recovery ventilators provide whole-home balanced fresh air ventilation with heat transfer between the exhaust and supply airstreams. Plumbing and HVAC contractors, remodelers, and builders specify Broan where a complete residential ventilation product line from the originator of the residential vent fan category is required.

Broan Product Lines

Bath Exhaust Fans

Broan bathroom exhaust fans are designed to remove moisture, odors, and indoor air pollutants from bathrooms and half baths in residential and light commercial construction. Broan bath exhaust fans are available in basic, premium, and feature-rich InVent series configurations to match the ventilation requirement and installation budget. InVent Series fans from Broan are designed for simple installation with a plug-in motor that drops into a standard housing for easy replacement without rewiring. Broan bath exhaust fans are rated in CFM and sone levels, with higher CFM ratings appropriate for larger bathrooms and lower sone ratings for quieter operation in master bath applications. Broan bath exhaust fans are listed by the Home Ventilating Institute for CFM performance verification. Broan also offers combination bath fan and light, bath fan and heater, and bath fan, light, and heater combination units for multi-function bathroom ceiling installations.

Kitchen Range Hoods and Downdraft Systems

Broan kitchen range hoods remove smoke, airborne grease, steam, and cooking odors from the kitchen air through exhaust ventilation directly above the cooking surface. Broan range hoods are available in under-cabinet, wall-mount chimney, island, and insert configurations to match the kitchen layout and cooking surface location. Range hoods from Broan are available in ducted and recirculating configurations; ducted range hoods exhaust air to the exterior of the building, while recirculating models filter and return air to the kitchen without exterior ductwork. Broan downdraft systems provide an alternative to overhead range hoods by drawing cooking air downward from behind or beside the cooking surface, exhausting it through a duct to the exterior or recirculating through a filter. Range hood CFM ratings from Broan cover the exhaust volume required from standard residential gas and electric ranges to high-output commercial-style cooktops.

Fresh Air Systems: ERVs and HRVs

Broan energy recovery ventilators and heat recovery ventilators provide whole-home balanced mechanical ventilation with energy recovery for tight residential construction where natural infiltration no longer delivers adequate fresh air for ASHRAE 62.2 compliance. Broan ERVs transfer both heat and moisture between the outgoing exhaust air and incoming outdoor air, making them appropriate for mixed and humid climates where humidity management is a year-round concern. Broan HRVs transfer heat only, making them appropriate for cold, dry climates where moisture transfer in winter is not desired. The Venmar Ventilation line, part of the Broan-NuTone family, pioneered mechanical ventilators with products including the Econair 100 and Econair 25 and continues to serve the ERV/HRV market in the Broan product family.

Attic Ventilation

Broan attic ventilation products include power attic ventilators that actively exhaust heat-laden air from attic spaces during warm weather, reducing attic temperature and the associated cooling load on the living space below. Broan power attic ventilators are available in roof-mount and gable-mount configurations to match the attic ventilation approach at the installation site. Attic ventilation from Broan works in conjunction with soffit intake vents to create a thermally driven exhaust and intake airflow path through the attic. Where bath exhaust fans and kitchen range hoods address ventilation of occupied living spaces, Broan attic ventilation products address the thermal management of the attic assembly and its effect on the cooling load of the conditioned space below.

Why Contractors Specify Broan

Contractors and builders specify Broan because the brand created the residential ventilation market and has more than 93 years of product development and installation history in the category, providing a parts availability and service record unmatched by newer ventilation brands. Broan was a founding member of the Home Ventilating Institute, and Broan bath exhaust fans carry HVI listings for CFM performance verification, the industry standard for confirming that a residential exhaust fan delivers its rated airflow. Broan InVent series bath fans feature a plug-in motor design that simplifies replacement without rewiring, reducing the labor cost of fan motor service calls. Broan products span the full residential ventilation scope from bathroom exhaust to ERV/HRV whole-home fresh air systems, allowing a single brand to cover all residential ventilation requirements on new construction and renovation projects. Broan products are available through plumbing and HVAC supply distributors including SupplyHouse.

How to Choose a Broan Product

The primary selection variable for a Broan ventilation product is application type. Bathroom moisture and odor removal calls for a Broan bath exhaust fan sized in CFM to the bathroom volume. Kitchen smoke and grease removal calls for a Broan range hood in the appropriate configuration (under-cabinet, wall chimney, island, or insert) and CFM rating. Whole-home fresh air ventilation calls for a Broan ERV (humid climates) or HRV (cold dry climates). Attic thermal management calls for a Broan power attic ventilator.

For bath exhaust fan sizing, the standard rule is 1 CFM per square foot of bathroom floor area, with a minimum of 50 CFM. Larger bathrooms and master baths with high moisture sources such as large showers call for higher CFM ratings. Broan InVent series fans are available across a range of CFM ratings; match the fan CFM to the bathroom size calculation. For quiet master bath applications, select the Broan model with the lowest sone rating in the required CFM range.

For range hood selection, the key variables are configuration (under-cabinet, wall chimney, island, or downdraft) and CFM. Range hood CFM should match the BTU output of the cooktop: a general guideline is 1 CFM per 100 BTU of cooktop heat output. Ducted range hoods exhaust directly to the exterior; recirculating models are appropriate only where exterior ductwork is not feasible. Confirm duct size and exterior termination requirements for the selected Broan range hood before rough-in.

FAQs

When was Broan founded and how many homes have Broan products installed?

Broan-NuTone has more than 93 years of innovation in residential ventilation. Broan created the residential ventilation market with the first residential vent fan and has products installed in more than 110 million homes. Broan was also a founding member of the Home Ventilating Institute.

What warranty does Broan offer on its bath exhaust fans?

Broan warranty terms for bath exhaust fans and other ventilation products are available at broan.com. Warranty coverage varies by product model; confirm the applicable warranty with your Broan distributor at the time of purchase.

What is the difference between the Broan InVent series and standard bath fans?

The difference between Broan InVent Series bath fans and standard Broan bath exhaust fans is the installation and replacement design. InVent Series fans feature a plug-in motor that drops into the housing for replacement without rewiring, which reduces the labor cost and complexity of fan motor replacement. Standard Broan bath exhaust fans are available in basic and premium configurations without the InVent plug-in motor feature.

What is the difference between a Broan ERV and HRV fresh air system?

The difference between a Broan energy recovery ventilator (ERV) and heat recovery ventilator (HRV) is the type of energy recovered from the exhaust air. Broan ERVs transfer both heat and moisture between the exhaust and supply airstreams, making them appropriate for mixed and humid climates. Broan HRVs transfer heat only without moisture transfer, making them appropriate for cold, dry climates where adding humidity in winter is not desired.

How do I size a Broan bath exhaust fan for my bathroom?

Size a Broan bath exhaust fan by calculating 1 CFM per square foot of bathroom floor area, with a minimum of 50 CFM for bathrooms up to 50 square feet. For master baths with large showers or whirlpool tubs, use a higher CFM rating to account for the additional moisture load. Broan bath exhaust fans carry HVI listings that verify the rated CFM is delivered at the standard HVI test conditions.

Does Broan offer combination bath fan and light or bath fan and heater units?

Broan offers combination bath fan and light, bath fan and heater, and bath fan, light, and heater combination units for multi-function bathroom ceiling installations. These combination units provide exhaust ventilation, lighting, and supplemental heat from a single ceiling fixture, reducing the number of separate ceiling openings required in a bathroom ceiling. Confirm the wiring requirements for the selected Broan combination unit at the rough-in stage, as multiple functions may require separate circuit connections.