Free Draft Stopper (Exhaust Fan Cover) For Victoria Households

Air sealing or covering of exhaust fan vents is a part of weatherizing or weather-proofing plan of the homeowners. Many residential properties in Victoria have exhaust fans either loosely fitted to ceiling / windows or exhaust fan vents without covers /air seals (aka draft stopper).  

To keep your home warm during winter and cool during the sweltering summers,  covering all the exhaust fan vents with self-closing dampers becomes essential.   

Ecofin Solutions is offering free (product and service) installation of exhaust fan cover or draft stoppers under the Victorian Energy Upgrades (VEU) program, which is being run (and regulated) by the Victorian government. 

Why do you need to draft stoppers to seal the exhaust fans?

Besides venting hot fumes from home appliances like gas stoves or gas heaters, exhaust or extractor fans also let in cold air during winter months and blazing hot air during the summers. 

It adversely affects your home energy-efficiency.  Installation of self-sealing exhaust fans, and sealing your door and windows could reduce your energy consumption on air conditioning by over 55%. 

Does self-sealing exhaust fans improve home energy-efficiency? 

When an exhaust fan is not in operation, it lets in cold/hot air inside your home. This alters the room temperature significantly. 

To offset the increased / decreased room temperature, your home air-con units draw extra energy from the grid, resulting in a big spike in energy use.

Problems with open exhaust fan vents 

• Cold or blistering hot air entering through exhaust fans causes discomfort to people living inside the home. 
•  Deterioration of building materials and furniture due to moisture-laden air entering through exhaust vents. 
• Poor indoor air quality. 
• Potential fire hazard during ember attacks.  

Benefits of air-sealing the exhaust fan vents 

• Lower air-conditioning costs 
• Improve indoor air quality 
• Better comfort 
• Safeguard your homes against recurring ember attacks 
• Lower energy bills 
• Safe indoor environment

How to seal the exhaust fan? 

Sealing ducted exhaust fan or exhaust fan without a duct to stop air drafts is a simple process. A plastic casing with butterfly wings like dampers is placed over a window or ceiling exhaust fan. 

Ecofin Solutions Pty Ltd offers free installation of Emerald Planet exhaust fan seals approved under the VEU (Victorian Energy Upgrades) program. Its features are:   

•  350 mm diameter 
• Ultralight polycarbonate material 
• Fire-resistant casing 
• Easy installation 
• VEU program approved 
• Ceiling / attic access is not required (can be installed from below).  

How self-closing exhaust fan seal or cover works? 

When the exhaust fan is turned on, disc-shaped dampers flip open and remains in open position. The moment it is turned off, the dampers/covers returned to their closed position.        

Exhaust fan sealing free installation under VEU program 

Ceiling or window exhaust fan seals / cover installation (and product) is free under the Victorian government’s flagship VEU program. The installation is done by a licenced A-grade electrician. 

Installation process 

Generally, the electrician performs the following installation steps: 

• Turns off the power switch. 
• Removes the exhaust fan cover. 
• Removes fan casing screws. 
• Inserts the first part of the exhaust fan seal through the hole. 
• Inserts the second part of exhaust fan seal through the hole.    
• Clips both ends of the exhaust fan seal parts. 
• Center and align exhaust fan seal with exhaust fan hole
• Screw the exhaust fan back to the ceiling.      
• Tests the exhaust fan and air draft stopper.