Maintaining Your RV Vent Fans

The vent fan in the roof of your RV is an essential tool that you should be using. Why? It can help improve ventilation and promote the flow of fresh air throughout the rig. Just open windows, lift the vent fan cover, turn on the fan, and you’ll soon have air circulating throughout your home on wheels, whether you’re parked or driving. Goodbye stale, stagnant air! In addition to improving air flow, your vent fan can also help remove humidity from the rig when you’re showering, restricting the potential growth of mold and mildew in moist areas. It can also help eliminate smoke and odors from the interior of your RV caused by cooking and cleaning.

For these reasons, your RV vent fan is an important part to service and maintain. So, before you head out on your next trip, be sure to:

• Check that the vent fan is working properly – Turn on the fan to see if the motor runs as it should and the fan blades rotate without any issue. If the fan doesn’t work at all, check the RV fuse box to confirm that the unit is getting electricity. If the fan isn’t fully functional, is making noises, or has broken blades, it may be time to replace the fan unit itself, which is a fairly easy do-it-yourself project.

• Clean the vent screens – The vent screen is what keeps bugs and debris from entering the interior of your RV. The screen can become dirty and should be cleaned periodically to ensure proper air flow through it when the fan is in use. To clean your vent screen, carefully remove it from inside your RV and let it soak in a solution of water and dish soap. While the screen is soaking, you can wipe down the fan blades and the interior of the vent cover, too.

• Replace the vent cover, if necessary – This is the part that covers the vent fan itself and sits on the roof of your rig, exposed to the sun, wind, rain, and hail. Over time, the cover can deteriorate – or may be damaged by a falling branch or the effects of an especially strong storm – and may need to be replaced if it’s cracked, chipped, or otherwise inoperable. Additionally, you can also consider installing a vent hood, which is a cap that covers the entire vent fan unit, including the original cover. A vent hood can allow you to use your vent fan, even when it’s raining, and helps prevent critters from entering the vent fan unit.

Even though the vent fan may be an often overlooked piece of equipment, it’s an integral part of your RV. When used and maintained properly, it can only improve your experiences out on the open road. To learn more about RV vent fans, contact us today!