At the 2011 NAHB International Builders’ Show in Orlando, the Panasonic Home and Environment Company showcased new ventilation fans specifically designed to address the lodging industry’s need for a quiet, energy-efficient bath fan to improve indoor air quality and the experience of guests.

Available starting this month, the Energy Star-rated, ceiling-mounted WhisperWelcome ventilation fan has been designed to help ensure overall guest comfort, help maintain healthy bathrooms and reduce operating and maintenance costs.

“The lodging industry has been plagued by bathroom ventilation issues for years,” said Anita So, Panasonic’s marketing manager. “Guests would complain about noisy operation, and hotel managers were frustrated by maintenance costs.”

In the past, the only options for ventilation operation were to connect the fan to the same switch as the light or install a separate switch for fan operation only. When the fan was connected to the light switch, it would be left on for hours, consuming energy and ultimately resulting in burnt-out motors. When a separate fan switch was installed, guests would not turn it on and moisture was not removed, resulting in costly mold and mildew damage.

With quiet noise levels as low as 0.3 sones, the Panasonic WhisperWelcome is the only Energy Star-rated ventilation fan in the lodging market with a motion sensor. The sensor activates the fan when a person enters the bathroom and automatically shuts it off 20 minutes after the occupant has left.

The WhisperWelcome fits in a slim 2”x6” joist cavity and is the only low-profile ventilation fan available with a dual duct rating of 4” or 3”. The fan can be adjusted to fit existing ductwork, reducing installation times and lowering the costs of labor and materials.

Headquartered in Secaucus, N.J., the Panasonic Home & Environment Company is a member of the National Council of the Housing Industry — The Leading Suppliers of NAHB.

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