Escaping the city for a summer getaway in the countryside is refreshing, but using an outhouse in sweltering heat? Not so much. For one southern Ontario golf course, solar attic fans were the perfect solution to improving the bathroom experience.
Typically found at campgrounds, festivals and construction sites, outdoor toilets are known for being unbearably putrid. Without sewage connections, extreme heat can make odours especially unbearable in the summer. But simply holding your breath may not solve all your problems. In these confined indoor spaces, temperatures rise rapidly. Unless properly ventilated, high temperatures can put visitors – especially young children – at grave risk of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
But searing heat isn’t the only hazard. Extreme heat causes the retained waste within these units to rapidly emit gasses like methane, ammonia and hydrogen sulfide. If not properly ventilated, the buildup of these gasses may lead guests to suffer dizziness, nausea, and irritation in their eyes, noses and throats. The odours and hazards may also spread to affect neighbours and passerby. Buildups of moisture also make outdoor toilets a breeding ground for germs, paving the way for the spread of infectious diseases.
HOW SOLAR ATTIC FANS CAN KEEP YOUR BATHROOMS COOL AND SMELLING FRESH
In prior seasons, guests and staff at The Club At North Halton in Southern Ontario found indoor temperatures at their outdoor bathrooms could reach a scorching 104F (40C). These structures simply did not have enough ventilation to push out all the hot, humid air and moisture that built up inside, even though excessive heat is rare in the region.
To make their outdoor bathrooms more pleasant, the club turned to iSolar Solutions’ solar attic fans. After installation, they found indoor temperatures dropped by nearly 50 per cent to a comfortable 75F (24C). And the smell? Drastically muted. Guests and staff alike were certainly grateful for the relief! It goes without saying that a solar attic fan is crucial for any golf club looking to keep their entire guest experience refined and comfortable.
Our solar attic fans are usually used for improving indoor ventilation in residential buildings. But they are also extremely effective at improving ventilation for small spaces like portable and outdoor toilets. Just like residential buildings, most outhouses and portable toilets have some ventilation systems built in. However, these passive ventilation systems usually lack mechanical parts to circulate air in and out of the indoor space, relying instead on differences between indoor and outdoor air pressure to regulate airflow. As such, they are typically not powerful enough to properly ventilate all the hot air that builds up inside.
That’s where solar attic fans come in. Powered solely by the sun’s rays, studies show they reliably lower indoor temperatures by as much as 10F (5C). When ambient temperatures cause the mercury to rise inside portable toilets or outdoor washrooms, solar attic fans automatically switch on to push out the hot air, moisture and humidity that builds up inside. Fans like the 20W106-FLEX measure just 6.7 x 6 in (17.2 x 15.2cm). This tiny footprint makes them perfect for mounting on the roofs of portable toilets and outhouses.
INSTALLATION – IS IT COMPLICATED?
Solar attic fans are designed with easy installation in mind. They lack complicated wiring, so you don’t need to hire an electrician. Fans like the 20W106-FLEX weigh just 8.9lbs (4.03kg), and will fit in holes measuring 8 x 9 inches (20.32 x 22.86cm). Most general contractors and roofers are more than capable of handling the job.
In addition, iSolar Solutions has a network of trusted installation partners who can help you find the right ventilation solutions. To find an installation partner near you, use our searchable database. For added peace of mind, all iSolar Solutions’ fans come with a limited 20-year warranty.
To learn more about how a solar attic fan can make your outdoor bathrooms more hospitable and welcoming, please contact one of our knowledgeable sales staff at 1-844-684-7723, or by email at info@isolarsolutions.com.
