Panasonic WhisperSense Bathroom Fan With Motion & Humidity Sensors - FV-11VQC5 Air Movement (CFM): 110 Sound (sones): .3 Power Consumption (watts): 24.3 Duct Diameter (inches): 4" Mounting Opening (inches sq.): 10 1/4" Grille Size (inches sq.): 13"
WhisperSense is a single-speed, ventilation fan which is enabled by any of the three following methods: motion on/motion off, motion on/humidity off or humidity on/humidity off. The humidity sensor is adjustable between 30% and 80% RH and factory set for 50%. The fan can be set to run 0.5 to 60 minutes after the motion sensor ceases detection or the humidity returns to the set point. The humidity sensor continues to check that the moisture levels conditions have been met.
Ideal applications: Can save money on installation as no switch is required. Effortless as the fan does the thinking for you. Ideal for kids bathrooms, commercial applications such as gas stations or strip mall bathrooms. Hands-free for applications such as assisted living facilities or handicap accessible restrooms. Complies with States and Municipalities that have moisture control codes such as CALGreen.
Features:
Exclusive Dual Sensor Technology - reacts to both motion and humidity, automatically turning the fan on when needed. No effort is required....the fan does all the work for you.
Built-in SmartActionŽ motion sensor - automatically turns on when you enter the room. No more forgetting to turn the fan on with Panasonic's decision free technology.
A built-in humidity sensor - detects rapid rise in relative humidity (RH), automatically turning on the fan to remove moisture and helping to prevent mold and mildew.
Built-in adjustable delay timer - can be set from 30 seconds to 60 minutes and activates when motion is no longer detected or when humidity levels are below preset levels.
Already remarkably energy efficient - our auto shut off feature can help eliminate unnecessary energy use and further reduce operating costs.
Continuous, trouble-free operation for many years - this fan is designed to give you continuous, trouble-free operation for many years thanks in part to its high-quality components and permanently lubricated motors which wear at a slower pace.
Save money on installation as no switch is required.
User-friendly installation - detachable adaptors, firmly secured duct ends, adjustable mounting brackets (up to 26"), fan/motor units that detach easily from the housing and uncomplicated wiring all lend themselves to user-friendly installation. This model also features a double-hanger bar system for ideal positioning.
Rust-proof paint treatment on galvanized housing
UL listed for tub/shower enclosure when used with a GFCI branch circuit
Built-in damper to prevent backdraft
4" or 6" dual duct adaptor included
ASHRAE 62.2, LEED, CAL Green and CA Title 24 compliant
Comments about Panasonic WhisperSense Bathroom Fan With Motion & Humidity Sensors - FV-11VQC5:
It works just as described.
3/5/2012
4.0
Good product, but
By jerry
from Laguna Niguel, CA
About Me Homeowner
Pros
Powerful
Sleek Design
Cons
Best Uses
Basements
Kitchens
Large Rooms
Smaller Rooms
Comments about Panasonic WhisperSense Bathroom Fan With Motion & Humidity Sensors - FV-11VQC5:
Fan installed in bathroom It is fairly quiet and removes humidity, no more fogged mirror. However, when initially wired directly to the junction box it was working non-stop regardless of himidity level or room occupancy. Controls did not work as advertised. I had to connect to a light switch to be able to stop it when nobady is using bathroom.
1/23/2012
(6 of 6 customers found this review helpful)
3.0
partially happy
By Scott
from Cumming Georgia
About Me Homeowner
Pros
Easy To Install
Powerful
Sleek Design
Cons
Lack of adequate controls
Noisy
Best Uses
Bathroom
Comments about Panasonic WhisperSense Bathroom Fan With Motion & Humidity Sensors - FV-11VQC5:
This fan is well made and is powerful. The installation went smooth; however I have a few complaints/suggestions for Panasonic, and a tip for users.
First complaint is the noise level. Before buying I went to the orange box store and listened to different fans with sone ratings of 1.5 to 6 to get a real world demonstration on noise levels. The 1.5 sone rated fan on display at the HD was quiet enough that I could not hear it unless I put my ear within 12 inches. I figured that with a .3 sone rating I was golden. Either the HD display was not accurate (maybe running very slow) or this fan is not .3 sone. I can plainly hear the fan in the room and from 12 feet away in another room. Suggestion to Panasonic: put a user controllable variable speed control on the fan so that a user can adjust the fan speed down to obtain a noise level that is acceptable
Second. This fan has both motion sensor and humidistat. I thought this would be great as I would not need a wall switch. In practice it is a bit annoying, especially since I can hear the fan. The motion sensor has a cone of sensing that is great enough that if I walk past my bathroom it kicks on. Very annoying to say the least. A few suggestions: Panasonic: it would be wise to offer a few options here. One to hard wire the motion sensor to a wall switch and control manually instead would be great. In the absence of that a way to disable the motion sensor, duh! Users, if the motion sensor bugs you like it does me here is what I did. Open the motion sensor up, remove the round "eye" that fits over the sensor, and pack a tape that does not transmit light into the eye, then put it back together and reinstall. You will never tell the difference and motion sensing will be turned off.
Third the humidistat is +/- 10 according to the literature. This seams to be pretty generous compared to the humidistat that I am using to gauge against. I have mine set at 70% on the fan. When my humidistat says 50% the fan kicks on.
Fourth, the amount of time the fan runs after being kicked on is set by a user controllable switch. This time is the same for motion and humidity detection. Panasonic, it would be nice to have this separated for the different conditions. For example I would want my fan to run for 15-20 mins after a humid shower, however with the annoying motion sensor if I walk past he bathroom it will also run for 20 mins. Activity in my house would have the fan running all day pumping all my conditioned air to the outside. Not very smart.
Well built product but could definitely use some more testing and development in the controls area Panasonic!
12/4/2011
4.0
Nice design and operation
By Notsohandy
from Ypsilanti, MI
Pros
Quiet
Sleek Design
Cons
Duct attachment wider
Elect att past box
Best Uses
Comments about Panasonic WhisperSense Bathroom Fan With Motion & Humidity Sensors - FV-11VQC5:
I installed it to replace a worn out fan. It was not a surprise that the unit was larger, but it does complicate installation that the nearly square body that would slide nicely into a square hole has a non removable attachment faring for the exhaust and an electrical box. In my installation the unit is very near a sloping roof so working from the attic was impossible. The added dimension meant I had to cut a larger hole, fit the fan in and then plaster over the extra hole. It also means if I ever have to service the fan I will be opening another plaster hole.
In my old unit the fairing to attach the duct work was removable (with screws on the inside) and the electrical connections were inside the box. The box seemed to have plenty of room to do that, but that not what the engineers choose to do.
11/11/2011
5.0
Great quiet fan
By Handyman1
from Mt Prospect, IL
About Me Homeowner, Professional
Pros
Easy To Install
Powerful
Quiet
Sleek Design
Cons
Best Uses
Bathroom
Comments about Panasonic WhisperSense Bathroom Fan With Motion & Humidity Sensors - FV-11VQC5:
Very quiet yet very powerful
10/17/2011
4.0
Great... But...
By Happy on the throne
from Havre de Grace, MD.
About Me Homeowner
Pros
Powerful
Quiet
Cons
Won't shut off
Best Uses
Large Rooms
Comments about Panasonic WhisperSense Bathroom Fan With Motion & Humidity Sensors - FV-11VQC5:
It does a great job of removing odors and humidity from our bathroom. Very quiet and stylish. The only problem is it runs constantly even after adjusting sensors and closing bathroom door.
