he house through the same vent. Besides, when outdoor humidity is equally high, it’d simply be an exchange of humid air.
Both the inline duct fan and the exhaust fan are installed in the duct (even though some exhaust fans are simply placed in an opening on the wall). However, the exhaust fan is closer to the outdoor than the inline fan.
While the exhaust fan may be visible from outside through the vent, you’re unlikely to see the inline duct fan because it is placed a meter or more away from one end of the ductwork.
4. Air Pull or Push?
This is a matter that is still being debated across the HVAC world. The jury is still out to decide whether it’s better for fans to pull or push air. Truth is, most exhaust fans are designed to pull; it only makes sense considering where they’re located.
On the other hand, inline duct fans are installed to push air already circulating in the duct. This air is released by the HVAC unit into the duct and then pushed by the inline fan to reach distant parts of the building.
5. Pollution Control
One major advantage of an exhaust fan is that it helps to prevent mold and mildew by expelling vapor out of the house. This helps to keep indoor air fresh and free of bacteria.
Meanwhile, an inline duct fan doesn’t exactly do this, but it can prevent condensation which may lead to mold growth if not controlled.
Which Is Better? Inline Duct Fan Or Exhaust Fan?
The question we always throw back when people try to compare two seemingly different appliances is, “based on what?”. It is not a fair comparison because both devices have different applications.
Using them the right way will certainly bring the best out of them. If you want to compare based on price and energy consumption, we may have to go with the exhaust fan because it is generally cheaper and consumes less energy than inline duct fans.
But, they cannot do the job that inline duct fans do unless they’re re-engineered to do so.
In the same vein, inline duct fans are better when it comes down to performance efficiency. Once sealed with insulation materials, nothing is lost and a draft doesn’t occur, unlike an exhaust fan that can’t exactly keep anything out.
When Should You Use An Inline Duct Fan? When Should You Use an Exhaust Fan?
Use an inline duct when you need to increase airflow rate and enhance the performance of a central HVAC unit. Also, this will help you achieve thermal balance throughout the house or building and ensure the work of your air conditioner or heater is felt in every room.
Smaller units are also used in spaces like bathrooms and kitchens. The point is, you should get this if your HVAC system needs a hand getting that air to distant parts of the house.
On the flip side, you should use an exhaust fan when air pollution and humidity are the troubles you have or you just need to maintain proper ventilation.
Beyond that, you’d be getting rid of mold and mildew and other forms of moist air troubles by expelling vapor along with indoor air and bringing in fresher air.
For emphasis, inline duct fans and exhaust fans are not the same. They are different in structure, design and function. Knowing what you really want is the key to getting the right product.
While it is impossible to tell which is better because of their clear differences, you’ll do yourself a great favor by doing a proper background check on any product you’re interested in, whether it’s an inline duct fan or an exhaust fan.