Panasonic FV-0511VF1 WhisperFit DC Fan 50-80-110 CFM Retrofit Bathroom Exhaust Fan - Quiet Energy Star-Certified Energy-Saving Bathroom Ceiling Fan

The media could not be loaded. ✅ Why Trust This Review:We have these installed almost weekly in various retrofit applications and have used dozens of them. Here’s my honest experience with the Panasonic FV-0511VF1 WhisperFit DC Fan.✏️ Quick Summary:The Panasonic FV-0511VF1 WhisperFit DC Fan is an excellent choice for retrofit bathroom exhaust fans. Its flex-Z fast installation bracket and ability to separate the fan motor from the housing make it incredibly easy to install. The fan is thin and fits in 2x6 joist sizes or larger, with a depth of 5-5/8 inches. It comes with an adapter to change from 3-inch to 4-inch ducting, making it versatile for various ducting needs. The adjustable 50-80-110 CFM ensures proper ventilation, and the fan operates ultra-quietly. This fan is highly recommended for its reliability, quiet use and ease of installation.📝 Design and Build:• Thin Profile: Fits in 2x6 joist sizes or larger, with a depth of 5-5/8 inches.• Flex-Z Fast Installation Bracket: Simplifies the installation process.• Adjustable Ducting: Comes with an adapter to change from 3-inch to 4-inch ducting.⚙️ Practical Use:• Easy Installation: The fan motor separates from the housing to reduce weight, making installation straightforward.• Adjustable CFM: Adjustable between 50-80-110 CFM, providing control over ventilation.• Ultra-Quiet Operation: Ramps up quietly to full speed, ensuring minimal noise disturbance.• Humidity Control: Works well with Humidistat in apartments to trigger moisture removal automatically.⭐ Advantages:• Easy and quick installation with the flex-Z fast installation bracket.• Thin profile fits well in tight spaces.• Adjustable ducting for various needs.• Reliable and ultra-quiet operation.• Ideal for humidity control in bathrooms and utility rooms.⚠️ Considerations:• May require drywall repairs or additional drywall cutting during installation.📌 In Conclusion:The Panasonic FV-0511VF1 WhisperFit DC Fan is an ideal choice for retrofit applications due to its easy installation, thin profile, and reliable performance. The adjustable CFM and ultra-quiet operation make it perfect for controlling humidity in bathrooms and utility rooms. While some installations may require additional drywall work, the overall benefits and ease of installation make this fan highly recommended for professionals and DIY enthusiasts alike.💡 Buying Guide:• Who It's For: Ideal for professionals and DIY enthusiasts looking for an easy-to-install, reliable bathroom exhaust fan.• What to Look For: Ensure the fan fits your joist size and consider the need for possible drywall repairs during installation.❓ FAQs:• How easy is the installation? The flex-Z fast installation bracket and the ability to separate the fan motor from the housing make it very easy to install.• What sizes does it fit? It fits in 2x6 joist sizes or larger, with a depth of 5 5/8 inches.• Is the fan quiet? Yes, it operates ultra-quietly and ramps up to full speed with minimal noise.✍🏼 Final Thoughts:This review was written by U N O V I S I O N, where we focus on providing honest and detailed reviews to help consumers make informed decisions. I hope you found this review helpful.

This Panasonic bath fan has all the great features Panasonic fans are known for: ease of installation, clean look, quiet operation, reliability and effective ventilation.I installed this fan in a bathroom in a sloped ceiling which I had access to via the attic. I do not think it is rated by the manufacturer for an angled installation. I was concerned the bearings might not be happy with this orientation, and might give out early. But I needed a fan and I've had great success with a previous Panasonic bathroom ventilation fan.I made sure the fan's baffle was oriented properly (I had to point the outlet port facing up towards the peak of the ceiling to ensure it would operate properly).I initially set this fan at its highest CFM rating (110 CFM or so, I can't remember exactly). But it started to make a slight squeal after running for several minutes. I backed off the fan to 80 CFM and no more squeal. It has been in place more than 6 months with daily usage and has not squealed again.The ventilation is excellent. There is no moisture on the mirror after a long shower. For the record, this bathroom is about 9' x 10', and the sloped ceiling adds much more volume to the room. The ventilation duct is 4" galvanized steel (smooth) with a short 4" aluminum flex section to help ease the initial connection to the fan. This duct runs about 8 feet in total with two elbows at about 15 degrees, plus another 90 degree elbow, then vents through a Broan 4" vent hood in the roof. The ventilation is excellent even with all those elbows, and length, and the lower 80 CFM speed setting.I skipped the moisture sensing option, preferring the fan to run only when someone turns on the switch. I installed a Leviton DT130 countdown timer switch (5-10-15-30 minute) and its been great. You can have this switch stay on indefinitely if you want. It's a Decora style switch and easy to install.

I have done seven ventilation fan replacements between my previous house and current house using the Panasonic fans. Builder-grade ventilation fans just did not cut it - they were loud and useless. Of the seven Panasonic fans used five are previous model FV-08-11VF5 (other than using AC motor and having just 80/110 CFM selections, it is identical to the FV-0511VF1 under review). Two are FV-0511VF1. They are all excellent ventilation fans, probably the best retrofit option for the home owners due to their easy and innovative installation method. Especially if the access to the space above ceiling is limited.FV-0511VF1 uses DC motor and it takes about a minute to reach its full speed, unlike the previous AC motor model which reaches full speed in less than 10 seconds. Once reaches the full speed I can feel the air flowing and it is pretty quiet (especially compared to the builder-grade fans I replaced). One thing to keep in mind, even though this fan comes with a 4"-to-3" duct adapter, I recommend using 4" duct whenever possible to get the best performance and the lowest noise level out of the fan. Of the seven replacements I have done, I was able to replace six original 3" ducts with 4" ducts through attic space. I was not able to replace the downstairs bathroom one as its duct goes through floor and ceiling space that I have no access to. And this one definitely has less performance and higher noise level than the other six.