Ductless exhaust fans are more and more common and more and more widely used.  They are most often found in bathrooms and kitchens.  They are used to vent the odor and smoke from cooking on the stove in a kitchen.  They work to keep the air free from smoke that can be harmful to the lungs.  After one of these gets to be a little older, it may start to have some problems.  Most of these can be easily cured, and all without calling in a professional.

Needed Tools:

• Multi-meter
• screwdriver

First: The Fuse

In a ductless exhaust fan that is not functioning at all, the first thing to do is check the fuse.  If this has blown, then your fan would not work and it is an easy fix.  If it is blown you may want to check the wires to make sure that there is no damage to them that would make it blow.

Second:  Light

Make sure that both the fan and the light work.  If the light is not functioning, then you will want to replace it with an identical light bulb.  If it still does not function, then you will need to check the socket.  This may need to be repaired or replaced.  If the fan is having the same issue, then you should check the switch.

Third: Dimmer

If it is ran to a dimmer switch, then you are going to need to adjust this switch.  The amount of power that will go to these will be directly related to the dimmer switch.  If there is a problem with the way that everything hooked to this switch is working, then you are going to need to replace your dimmer switch.  This can be tested by checking to see if the lights dim as the switch is turned down.

Fourth: More Inspection

If you fan is still not functioning after all this has been done, then you are having problems elsewhere.  You will now have to open up the fan to see what is the matter with it.  Before you open this up, you will want to make sure that the power is off to it at the breaker box.  After you have tested to make sure that there is no power, you will need to take the cover off the fan.  This is done with a screwdriver.  Remove the screws that are in place and take off the cover.

Fifth: Wiring

Now that the cover is off, you will need to inspect the wires inside the exhaust fan.  If this is a kitchen fan, the wires could have been melted by excessive heat.  For any fan, it is possible that the screws that are holding the wires in place have loosened.  Make sure that everything is right and tight.  Replace anything that needs to be replaced, including the wires.

Sixth: Fan

You will now need to use the multimeter to check the switch for the fan.  This will test the resistance of the circuit.  If it is working as it should be, then the reading should be a 0 ohms.  If it is giving any other reading, the switch needs to be replaced.  If your switch is fine and your fan still doesn’t function, then you need to replace the exhaust fan.