NuTone QTREN, QTXN, QTRN, QTXEN User Manual

Ventilation Fans

October 2008

Leadership is measured in all kinds of ways. At
NuTone it’s defined with innovative home amenity
products that make life more comfortable. Trust us
to develop it first, and develop it best.

Silence is what consumers demand more than any other feature in

a bath fan. We hear you, and proudly offer the Ultra Silent
the most quiet ventilation fans available. Proven in real-world

installations, they deliver what we promise on the package.

Style can be difficult to define. What’s compelling
to one may be passe to another. NuTone solves the
issue with a broad variety of product styles,
finishes, and shapes—all designed around you.

™

Series,

We don’t build products.
We build the industry.

2

Powerful operation is the ultimate test. And a clear

bathroom mirror after a long relaxing shower is the
true measure of bath fan performance. That’s why
NuTone engineers the right product for every type
of application, room size and need.

4–5 Selection Guidelines
6–7 Installation/Sizing Guide
8–9 Questions & Facts

Single-function
10–13 Ultra Silent™ Fans
14 Bath Fans, Fan Upgrade Kit
15 Heavy Duty Fans,

Radiation Dampers

16–17 Utility Fans
18–19 In-Line Fans

Multi-function
20–21 Ultra Silent™ Fan Lights
22–25 Fan/Lights
25 Heavy Duty Fan/Lights
26–29 Heater/Fan/Lights

Other
30–31 Wall Control Specifications
32 Wall Control Selection
33 Ducting Accessories
34–35 Specifications Matrix

No one provides a broader selection of home ventilation
products than NuTone. From the spot ventilation and
heating solutions listed above to our beautiful ceiling
fans, trust NuTone to improve the comfort of your
family and home.

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NuTone Ventilation Fans—Selection Guide

NuTone makes the perfect ventilation fan

for every home, decor and budget.

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NuTone Ventilation Fans—Selection Guide

What you should consider when buying
a bath fan or home ventilation system.

Steamy mirrors, damp walls and fogged windows. They’re

more than annoying. They could indicate developing

problems like mold and mildew, ruined insulation, and

wood rot. Spot ventilation solutions from NuTone clear

the air quickly and efficiently removing potential problems

before they invite themselves into your home.

What’s in stays in today’s airtight homes.

Today’s homes are built airtight for

efficiency. But that means moisture

Leadership

and airborne pollutants stay where

they are unless they are vented

away. Eliminating excess moisture

keeps your home dry and

comfortable and can help avoid

mold and mildew. Volatile organic

compounds (VOCs) “outgas” from

construction materials such as

plywood, carpet, fabric, paint,

adhesive, insulation and other

common items. Allergens, dust, cooking vapor and what

the kids bring home from school are more reasons why

good ventilation is critical.

Which product is best suited to my application?

Take a moment to consider what you’re looking for in a

spot ventilation product. Do you want quiet operation, a

powerful blower, decorative designs or something that’s

virtually invisible? Could you use more light, or ventilation

in a walk-in closet? NuTone has what you need.

More than 70 years ago NuTone

invented the spot ventilation industry.

Today, NuTone is engineering and

testing the next generation of

ventilation solutions to keep your

home and family comfortable.

Sones measure the “sound level” of your fan.

A sone is a measurement of sound in terms of

comfortable hearing level for an average listener.

The lower the sone value, the more comfortable the

environment. Sones are not decibels or volume, but

rather how sound is “sensed.” One sone is half as loud

as two sones, and is equivalent to a quiet refrigerator.

What “HVI certified” means to you.

The Home Ventilating Institute (HVI)

is an independent organization that

certifies the airflow and sound

performance claimed by manufacturers

of ventilation products. NuTone

certifies every product through HVI

to ensure the product you purchase will

perform as claimed.

For more information

visit www.hvi.org.

Energy Star: Conserve energy and energy expenditures.

If you’re concerned about saving money and energy,

choose NuTone bath fans that feature the Energy Star

logo. These products use high efficiency motors and

lighting that can reduce energy consumption by as

much as 65%—all without sacrificing

performance. Learn more about

Energy Star at www.energystar.gov.

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NuTone Ventilation Fans—Installation Guide

Proper installation makes all the difference.

Tape or caulk around the seam
where the fan housing meets
the sheetrock on the ceiling.

If possible, use smooth, rigid ductwork
as large as the exit opening on the
body of the fan housing.

Whether rigid or flexduct,
the turning radius for the duct
should be as large as possible.

Whenever possible, ductwork should slope
down and away from the fan housing to
direct any condensation toward the vent.

Keyhole slots and alignment tabs
facilitate installation, taking the
guesswork out of proper mounting.

Elbows, turns, long ducts and
ductwork smaller than the fan’s exit
outlet will reduce performance.

Use wide aluminum foil or duct tape to
join smooth metal ductwork seams.

Do not let flexible ductwork sag as this
impedes airflow.

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During installation, orient the bath fan
outlet in the direction of the home’s
exit point to minimize duct turns.

Before adding an elbow or bend,
allow 24" to 36" of straight run from
the fan outlet point.

Duct-wrap insulation (R-5 or above)
will help minimize condensation in cold
climates, especially on long duct runs.

Exit vents should have backdraft
flaps to help keep cold air from
entering the duct.

Quick guideline: For bathrooms up to
100 square feet, the HVI recommends
ventilation of about 1 CFM per square
foot (about eight air changes per
hour). For bathrooms over 100 square
feet, add up the needs of each fixture
to determine the total ventilation rate:

• Toilet 50 CFM

• Shower 50 CFM

• Bathtub 50 CFM

• Jetted tub 100 CFM

NuTone Ventilation Fans—Sizing Guide

Easy steps for choosing and sizing

the right ventilation fan for your home.

Determine which rooms could use
ventilation, and how much is needed.
Spot ventilation is used in localized

areas to remove moisture, odor and
airborne pollutants quickly. Most
commonly used in the bath or
powder room, spot ventilation can
also be used in a laundry room,
exercise area, closet, or bedroom,
wherever air should be changed
frequently. Decorative and recessed
models can be ideal solutions for
these situations. According to the
Home Ventilating Institute, Air
Changes per Hour (ACH) for
comfortable and healthy living
should be as follows: Bathrooms:
8 changes, Kitchens: 15 changes,
Living/bedrooms: 6 changes. NuTone
bath fans, utility fans and high
capacity fans meet these needs.

Calculate the air movement
necessary for proper ventilation.

Air movement is measured in
Cubic Feet per Minute (CFM). To
determine CFM requirements, first
determine the size of your room.
Measure and multiply the length,
width and ceiling height of your

room to determine cubic footage.
Then use the multiplication factor of
.13 and round up to the next “ten.”
See the three examples that follow.

Performance

A good ventilation fan is the product

of research, testing and listening to the

needs of consumers. At NuTone we build

these desires into ventilation products

that provide the best mix of power,

sound and quality for every budget.

Example 1: Bathroom with 8' ceiling:
7' wide x 9' long x 8' high x .13 = 66.
Select a bath fan with at least
70 CFM.

Example 2: Bathroom with 9' ceiling:
10' wide x 9' long x 9' high x .13 =

105. Select a bath fan with at least
110 CFM.

Example 3: For a bathroom with a
vaulted ceiling, use the average ceiling
height at the wall and the peak:
8' wide x 12' long x ((8' at wall +
12' at peak) / 2 = 10') average height
x .13 = 125. Select a fan(s) with at
least 130 CFM.

Account for long duct runs
and ductwork that turns before it
reaches the exterior vent.

When airflow is restricted in any
way it slows down. Just as a car
must slow down for a sharp corner,
air decelerates when going through a
turn in a duct run. Whenever
possible, create a straight duct run
with large radius turns, if they’re
necessary at all. Rigid ductwork is
optimal because airflow restriction is
minimized. Flexible tubing may be
convenient to install, but resistance
is created as air is moved over the
spiral metal frame of the tubing.
With long duct runs or ducts with
multiple turns the fan works harder,
noise increases and fan performance
(CFM) is compromised. Select a fan
model with an even greater CFM
ratio to compensate.

6" ducting overcomes most

performance-related installation issues.

NuTone’s QTX Series fans deliver high performance in virtually any real-world installation. They are engineered with a 6"
duct connector for peak air movement and extremely quiet operation, even when the duct run is not short and straight.

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NuTone Ventilation Fans—Questions & Facts

Everything you need to know about home ventilation.

What is a sone, and how is
it measured?

A sone is a measurement of sound in
terms of comfortable hearing level
for an average listener. The lower
the sone value, the more comfortable
the listening environment. Sones are
not decibels or volume, but rather
how sound is “sensed.” One sone is
the equivalent of a quiet refrigerator.

What does CFM mean?

CFM is the acronym for Cubic Feet
per Minute—the measure of air
volume moved by the fan blower.
Choose a fan with a CFM rating
appropriate for your room size to
ensure adequate ventilation.

What is continuous ventilation?

Continuous ventilation provides today’s
airtight homes with a relatively
constant and controlled lower level of
ventilation. NuTone’s extremely quiet

and efficient Ultra Silent

ideally suited for these applications.

Can I mount NuTone fans above
my tub and shower?

Most NuTone fans are rated for
use over a shower or bathtub with
a GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit
Interrupter).

Can my ceiling fan be surrounded
by insulation?

Yes. NuTone bath fans are designed
to provide adequate cooling for
motors and lighting, as well as
products with integral heaters.

Will NuTone Fans work in
wall-mount applications?

Some NuTone bath and utility fans
may be wall mounted. See the spec
matrix for specific models. Improper
installation may affect fan life,
safety and your warranty.

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™

Series is

Will a ceiling fan or wall-mount
utility fan serve as a range hood?

No. Range hoods are specifically
designed to handle grease and high
temperature environments. NuTone
bath fans supplement odor and moisture
removal in the kitchen, but are not
intended for use as a range hood.

What does “static pressure” mean?

Static pressure is the measurement
of airflow resistance as it is pushed
through ductwork which reduces the
effectiveness of the fan. Learn more
on the Home Ventilating Institute
web site www.hvi.org.

Air Quality

NuTone has long been a leader in

indoor air quality solutions. Our spot

ventilation products for bathrooms

and kitchens control problems at the

source. For whole-house filtration and

ventilation, our fresh air systems set

the standard.

How long should a bath fan
run after a shower is used?

The Home Ventilating Institute
recommends that a fan should be
left on for 20 minutes more to clear
humidity adequately and to ensure
moisture and condensation in the
fan body or ducting is minimized.

What should I do if I can’t wait for
moisture to clear, but I don’t want
a fan to run all day long?

NuTone has sensing fans that detect
the humidity rise caused by a shower
and turn on automatically—when
moisture has cleared it turns off.
Some wall controls also give you the

option of humidity sensing, or timer
control. Just set it and forget it.

What are the timer features?

Delay-off timers automatically shut
your fan off after a specified time
interval. It’s a nice feature in high
traffic bathrooms where you may
wish to let the fan run to clear
moisture adequately. A timer counts
down the minutes of fan operation
selected by the user.

Where should the exhaust
fan be located?

Exhaust fans should be located in
or near the shower or tub, and in an
enclosed water closet. Keep exhaust
points opposite the supply air source
to ensure that the fresh air is drawn
through the room. Bathroom doors
should not be sealed too tightly at
the bottom in order to allow “make­up air” to enter the room when the
door is closed.

How do I size a fan properly for
my room size and the duct run?

See the sizing guidelines on page 7 for
details on proper sizing. This section
provides an explanation and examples
to help you make the right decision.

Where is the exhaust outlet on
the ventilation fan?

The exhaust outlet is the point where
air is discharged through the body
of the fan housing into the ductwork.
During installation, orient your fan
with the exhaust outlet pointing
toward the exit vent on your roof or
wall to minimize turns in ductwork
that impede airflow.

NuTone Ventilation Fans—Questions & Facts

Why do the windows and mirrors
fog even when the fan is running?

If windows and mirrors are very
cold, condensation can still form on
these surfaces. And if your bathroom
is sealed tightly, replacement air may
not be entering the room fast enough
to displace the moist air. Be sure to
undercut your door sufficiently to
draw fresh air into the room. Fan
placement can also be a factor. Your
fan should be located far from the
replacement air source to ensure the
moist air is drawn out first. Finally,
too many twists and turns in the
ducting will significantly reduce the
ability of the blower to remove moist
air. Make sure your ductwork is as
short and straight as it can be, with
gradual turns rather than tight
corners where necessary.

Why is water dripping from
the grille of the fan?

Dripping water is either condensa­tion (usually due to cold ductwork
or improper duct installation), or
a problem with the seal on a wall
or roof vent. Insulated ductwork
can help solve condensation prob­lems, and running the fan longer
will ensure moisture is completely
removed from the duct. Ductwork
should slope down toward a wall
vent to direct condensation out of
the exterior vent opening rather
than back into the fan housing.

Can I install a heater over the
bathtub or in a shower?

No. Heaters are not UL Listed
(Underwriter’s Laboratory) for

installation over a bathtub or
in a shower.

Can I use an inline or multi-port
fan in one large bathroom?

Yes, this works the best for
large rooms because you can
install the ports over the
areas where the ventilation
is needed the most (source
control). The size of the
multi-port would be determined
by the size of the room.

Does a duct-free bath fan
expel air?

No. A duct-free fan is not a
ventilating device. It does not
remove air from the room.

Style

Style is a curious thing. To each

individual it is something different.

So NuTone makes a range of unique

products—some that stand out,

others that blend in. But all suit

every sense of style beautifully.

Can I use a smaller diameter duct
than what the fan is designed for?

This is not recommended. It will
cause the fan to run harder, greatly
reducing the CFM performance of
the fan and create excess noise.

Can larger diameter ducting be
used with my bath fan?

Yes, larger diameters will result in
improved performance.

What type of duct is recommended,
rigid or flexible?

It is recommended, where possible,
to use rigid duct. It has less resistance
to air flow and allows the fan to
operate much more efficiently. If
flexible duct is used, be sure the duct
is as straight as possible.

Can I exhaust my fan into my attic
instead of out the roof or wall?

Never exhaust air into spaces within
walls, ceilings, attics, crawl spaces or
garages. The humidity may damage
the structure and insulation.

What type of exhaust fan is
best for a sauna or hot tub area?

High CFM-rated devices are
normally recommended for this type
of application.

Can I use a fan in a steam shower?

No. Since these are normally sealed
chambers, a vacuum will be created.

Can I vent more than one bath fan
out of a roof or wall cap?

No. Always follow the manufacturer’s
recommended ventilation
requirements.

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NuTone Ventilation Fans—Ultra Silent

™

Model QTXEN Humidity

Sensing Fan, page 12

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Sensing Fan/Light, page 20

Model QTXEN Fans, page 13Model QTXEN Humidity

Model QTXEN Fan/Lights, page 21

NuTone Ventilation Fans—Ultra Silent™

Quiet is good. Virtual silence is better.

The NuTone Ultra Silent™ Series.

There’s a time for noise and

excitement, and there’s a time for

more simple pleasures. The peaceful

moment needn’t be lost simply

because your bath ventilation fan is

uncomfortably loud. The ultra-quiet

NuTone Ultra Silent

™

Series

solves everything.

Lower sones and more power.

The NuTone Ultra Silent

™

Series

started with a clean slate. We

redesigned everything from the

motor to the wheel to the housing,

all to reduce operating noise. An

exciting new selection of high-style

grilles will discretely complement

your bathroom or make a bold

Silence

Minimizing sound is best achieved

by engineering the product correctly

for real-world installations.

NuTone’s QTX Series is designed

with efficient blowers and 6" ducting

that will not restrict airflow.

design statement. Whether you

choose a bath fan, a fan/light or

a combination heater/fan/light,

NuTone has an ultra quiet solution

for every concern.

How quiet is Ultra Quiet?

A newer refrigerator generates about 1

sone, while a normal conversation is

about 2 sones. NuTone’s Ultra Silent

™

Series products are as quiet as <0.3

sones. They’re the quietest fans

available and deliver the power

you expect for any room size.

Models QTREN and QTRN Fans, page 13 Model QTREN Fan/Lights, page 21 Model QTRN Fan/Lights, page 21

Model QTXN Heater/Fan/Light, page 26

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