How to Install a Timer on an Exhaust Fan

While that steamy, hot bath feels good, it's not so good for the paint and wood in your bathroom and can lead to mold. That's where exhaust fans come in, to remove damp air from the room. However, an exhaust fan needs to run at least 15 minutes after a bath to remove moist air effectively. Install a timer on your exhaust fan to take care of the problem.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Purchase a timer switch for the exhaust at a hardware store. The new switch can be installed in place of the on/off switch for the fan.

2. Turn off the power at the electrical panel to avoid shocking yourself. Unscrew and remove the face place for the switch.

3. Remove the old switch in the wall by loosening terminal screws to free the old switch from circuit wires. The black wire should be the "hot" wire, the white or gray wire is the "neutral" wire. If a third wire exists with no insulation or green insulation, this is the ground wire.

4. Enlarge the hole in the wall to fit if the timer switch is larger than the old switch. Likewise, the outlet box in the wall may need to be switched for a larger one.

5. Attach the wires to the timer. Loop the wires in a clockwise direction around the terminals so that when you tighten the screws, the wires will tighten down naturally.

6. Install the timer in the box and put the face plate on the wall.

7. Turn on the power at the electrical panel.

Resources

• Purchase a timer at the R.E. Williams website.