At the 2011 International Builders’ Show (IBS), Panasonic Home & Environment Company showcased two 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 guest experience.
Available starting February 2011, the new ENERGY STAR® rated, ceiling mounted WhisperWelcome™ ventilation fan will 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,” says Anita So, Marketing Manager, Panasonic Home & Environment Company. “Guests would complain about noisy operation, and hotel managers were frustrated with maintenance costs. Panasonic is proud to introduce an effective, quiet solution for hotel bathroom ventilation with the launch of the new WhisperWelcome.”
In the past, there were only two options for ventilation operation - 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 switch was installed for the fan, guests would not turn it on and therefore moisture was not removed, resulting in costly mold and mildew damage.
With incredibly quiet noise levels as low as 0.3 sones, the Panasonic WhisperWelcome is the only ENERGY STAR rated ventilation fan with a motion sensor available for the lodging market. The motion sensor with delay off timer activates the fan when a person enters the bathroom and automatically shuts the fan off 20 minutes after the occupant has left. This function helps reduce operating costs while automatically ensuring proper indoor air quality by exhausting odors and moisture.
An ideal choice for hotel renovation projects, 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”. Because the fan can be adjusted to fit existing ductwork, installation times are reduced, thus lowering both labor and material costs.
The WhisperWelcome offers the ideal airflow for smaller bathrooms in hotels, with the FV-05VFM2 operating at 50 Cubic Feet per Minute (CFM) and FV-08VFM2 operating at 80 CFM. The fan is powered by an enclosed AC motor rate for continuous run, increasing the life of the motor. Panasonic WhisperWelcome ventilation fans are also UL listed for tub/shower enclosure and ASHRAE 62.1, LEED, California Title 24, and Washington State Ventilation and Indoor Air Quality Code compliant.
For more information on Panasonic ventilation fans, please visit: www.panasonic.com/ventfans.