Exact replacement
This is virtually the identical unit for a 25+ year old unit I replaced. Bearings were going in the old one and since it wasn't cleaned regularly was pretty crudded up. Hence it was increasingly inefficient and noisy. I replaced as part an attic insulation project - the new unit is IC rated and worked with my existing 15 Amp circuit - somewhat rare for a vent/light/heater combo. Instructions were clear. At 50 CFM the vent is appropriate for a small bath. Reasonably quiet (of course we're comparing it to the old one that sounded like a model plane taking off). Heater will knock back some chill but isn't a real powerhouse nor is it directional like in more expensive models. Light will accept up to 100 watt bulb but we found 75 watt more than adequate. Grille and light diffuser are attractive and seem to promote better airflow than the old. Internal components (light, vent fan, and heater) are easily removable for annual cleaning.
good value
If you need some extra light and a fan (who doesn't!) in your bathroom, the Broan 659 is a good choice. Sure, it's not whisper quiet but 2.5 sones is a perfect compromise. It's just the right amount of noise for, uh, some privacy while you're on the throne, but not enough to wake up the person sleeping in the adjacent wing of your castle. The heater takes away a bit of morning chill but it's not going to dry you off if you've forgotten to buy towels or anything. But don't worry. With the amount you'll save purchasing this fan you'll be able to afford one of those really big plush towels. At 50 CFM this model is good for smaller bathrooms, but it is on the wide side. If your bath is tiny, a smaller size(and less cfm)might suffice. I take quite hot showers and the mirrors have not fogged while this fan is on.
Very quiet, works like a charm!
I checked out a lot of reviews on heater/fan combos for my bathroom. I finally chose this one because of the features and good price. I've had it for about 2 months and the fan and heater work great. I wasn't sure what to expect with the noise level, but I find it to be very very quiet. When my husband turned on the fan for the first time, I couldn't even detect the noise. I thought he was messing with me. Then I listened carefully and could hear the white noise sound. The heater is a bit louder than the fan, but still very quiet.
Regarding the light feature, we already had lighting in our bathroom so we decided to put a small 7 watt nightlight bulb in the fixture. It works great for late night bathroom runs. No need to blind yourself with a bright light. The nightlight does the trick!
One suggestion if you are installing one of these in your bathroom, buy a timer switch for the fan function. We bought one with 10, 20, 30 minute options so I can hit the timer...
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