How to Connect a Bathroom Exhaust Fan

Turn off the electricity in the room you are working in at the main circuit breaker of the home. If you need a light, run an extension cord from another room to the bathroom.

Mark on the ceiling where you want the exhaust fan to be with a pencil. Drill a hole using a long 3/8-inch drill bit on top of the mark. This acts as a reference hole for cutting when you are in the attic.

Measure the dimensions of the exhaust fan portion that will hang down from the ceiling. Climb up the attic and find the best location using the reference hole as a guide. Find a spot where the exhaust fan will fit between two joists. Transfer the marks to the ceiling in the bathroom.

Cut the hole for the fan using a reciprocating saw.

Screw a 4-inch, 90 degree elbow joint to the outlet port of the exhaust fan. Aim the elbow up towards the roof. Secure it using foil duct tape.

Remove the piece covering the electrical connection. Attach the included cable connector according to the fan instructions.

Place the exhaust fan on top of the hole. Secure each bracket extending from the fan to the joists using a 1-1/2 inch drywall screw.

Attach one end of the flexible duct work included in the kit to the elbow. Secure it with duct tape.

Slide the electrical cables through the connector. Tighten the connector screw to secure the electrical work.

Drill a hole through the outer wall of the home that is within six feet of the fan using a 4-inch hole saw.

Insert a 12-inch-long connector duct to the flexible hose and attach it with duct tape. Extend it through the wall.

Apply a bead of silicon caulk to the wall between the ductwork and the outside wall of the home using a silicon caulk tube. Slide the wall cap into the hole of the exhaust pipe. Secure it to the home side with four 1-1/2 inch stainless steel screws.

Remove the cover of the exhaust fan. Connect all the same color wires to the wires extending from the connector using wire nuts. Wrap the bare copper wire to the grounding screw inside the fan housing and tighten the screw with a screwdriver.

Reassemble the fan, turn on the power and test.