Extractor Fan Wear: Signs, Causes, and When to Replace

When your extractor fan, a device that removes moisture and odors from bathrooms and kitchens. Also known as extraction fan or range hood fan, it’s one of the most overlooked but critical parts of your home’s ventilation system. Over time, extractor fan wear happens quietly—no alarms, no warning lights. Just slower airflow, more noise, and maybe a little dampness clinging to your walls. You might not notice until mold starts growing or your bathroom smells like a gym locker after a workout.

Extractor fan wear isn’t just about the motor wearing out. It’s the grease buildup in the blades, the dust clogging the vents, the bearings grinding down, or the plastic housing cracking from constant heat and humidity. These aren’t random failures—they’re the result of years of use without cleaning or maintenance. A fan that runs 10 minutes a day, every day, adds up to over 3,000 hours a year. That’s not a gadget. That’s a workhorse. And like any workhorse, it needs care.

What you might call a "noisy fan" is often a fan with bearing wear, the gradual degradation of the rotating parts that keep the motor spinning smoothly. When those bearings go, the fan doesn’t just get loud—it pulls less air, uses more electricity, and can even overheat. Then there’s the duct blockage, a common hidden issue where grease, lint, or debris clogs the pipe leading outside. Even if the fan motor is fine, a blocked duct means your fan isn’t doing its job. That’s why cleaning isn’t optional—it’s the first step in extending its life.

Most extractor fans last 6 to 10 years. But if you’ve never cleaned the grille, checked the vent, or replaced the motor, you’re probably at the end of that range. And if you’re seeing rust on the housing, wobbling blades, or the fan turning on but not pulling air, you’re not dealing with a minor fix. You’re dealing with extractor fan wear that’s gone too far.

Replacing a fan isn’t always expensive. Sometimes it’s cheaper than paying for repeated repairs or dealing with water damage from mold. And if you’ve got an old fan with a single-speed motor, upgrading to a modern, low-energy model can cut your electricity bill too. You don’t need to wait until it dies completely. Watch for the small signs: longer run times to clear steam, a faint buzzing sound, or damp spots near the vent.

Below, you’ll find real guides from people who’ve been there—how to tell if your fan is beyond repair, what tools you actually need for a DIY swap, how long it takes to fix, and when calling a pro makes more sense than trying to save a few pounds. No fluff. Just what works.