Panasonic FV-0811VFL5E WhisperFit EZ Retrofit Ventilation Fan with Light, 80 or 110 CFM

Many reviews talk about challenges with installation. You can't just slam this in with a like-for-like wiring but expect new behavior from your fan. And every home's wiring is different, so it might be simple, it might be complicated, or it might but outright not possible to do everything you want from it.The light is plenty bright for a standard hall bathroom and color-wise somewhere between warm and cold; that is, while it's LED it has a slight yellow hue to it that is a bit warm in color. It works well with our off-white tile. The fan is quiet, but set at 110 it's not whisper quiet.Installation for me took about 5-6 hours while trying to figure out what was happening wiring-wise in the walls, thinking through what I wanted to the fan to do, etc. If an electrician can't figure it out--as some have claimed--get a new electrician.PATIENTLY READ THE INSTRUCTIONS FIRST to get a sense of what you're doing. Even watch a video or two.The physical installation is rather simple, though if your attic is tight or other physical barriers are in place your experience may vary. The design of the fan box offers a great deal of flexibility.Don't try doing this with the power still to the switches. You're guaranteed to get "bit."My set up: I wanted the nightlight always on (unswitched,) the fan on one switch, and the light on another switch. I had to run two extra wires to make this work.I have a conduit from the switches but it first runs to the vanity light, then another conduit heads up to the fan. I ran a hot wire from the vanity like electrical box to the night light wire to solve that need.I ran a wire from the switch box through the vanity light box and up to the fan for the light.I used the existing fan wire for the fan.The neutrals all tied together as shown in the instructions.I swapped by single switch with a dual-switch single pole switch, one toggles the vanity light and the other the fan light. Next to that is the fan switch, which is actually a humidity detecting switch. Wiring-wise, it works the same as any other switch.

This is just an incredible unit, well worth the premium price. Take a look at the less expensive units... The reviews scared me away... Corrosion, crappy stamped parts, Chinese manufacture...OK, this unit was impressive the moment I opened the box. The more I looked at the Flex-Z bracket, the more impressed I was. It folded for easy insertion from the ceiling, the screws were already started... The only thing they could have done to make installation easier would have been to include an installation gnome in the box!Installing from the ceiling is easy, if you are replacing an old unit. The electrical/exhaust assembly can snap off, but I found that by making one side of the hole 1/2" deeper, I could 'Tilt' the unit into place. Having two people makes under-ceiling installation easier, I had to use an ashtray in my soap rack to hold wire nuts and screws, as I held the unit against the shower wall with my shoulder. It's doable, but an extra hand or two will come in handy!Before I installed it, I gave the fan a spin. WOW. It was HEAVY. No cheap stamped crap here! It's a centrifugal "Squirrel cage" fan, not a 3" blade fan as in the bulleted info at the top of the listing. Also the bulleted info lists 4" and 6" ducting... In reality, it's 4" with an included 3" adaptor.Back to the motor/fan. A couple minutes later, it was still spinning! I felt it for bearing slop... none. I rocked it back and forth... gave it another spin. Jeez, this thing has some QUALITY bearings. Certainly not bushings like chinese crap. Trust me, I used to build 6-foot long R/C helicopters.I know a good bearing when I feel it. Another flick of the wrist, and I could FEEL the air move! This fan is efficient.Anyway, it went in like a breeze (no pun intended), the HARDEST part was plugging in the connector for the LED light! It's really not hard, just recessed, so my big ham hands had a tough time getting it in. All the interior connectors are high-grade 'keyed' Molex style. Even the guides for the spring retainers for the grille/light are heavy duty GUIDES, not just slots in sheet metal.I can't tell you how impressed I am with this unit. I ALMOST got a Broan, I ALMOST got the Hauslane at 120 CFM, but I read the reviews... Made in China, and the LED goes out really fast. It's replaceable, but what happened to the 25,000 hour LED lifespan??? Really.I went to Panasonic because I didn't want a chinese stamp-out. Boy, I am glad I did. I really can't say how happy I am with this purchase. I normally don't bother to write reviews. This one EARNED a review the moment I opened the box.Something is awry with this review page, instead of asking me to rate it on airflow, sound, and whatever, it's asking me for "Stretch", "Sheerness" and "Thickness". WHAT? Are they asking about Pantyhose? Anyway, airflow is GREAT, I watched it suck the smoke from my cigarette, from 4 feet below the unit, Sound is good, not .3 sonnes, but QUIET. There is an internal switch for 80/110 CFM, I cannot IMAGINE any reason for the 80 CFM, but it's there.

At the end of the project, a beautiful fan. Replaced an ancient Panasonic in a high, lathe-and-plaster ceiling. Installation? Well...not easy, but successful.Basics:1. As recommended for sheetrock, I installed the support-cage to the rafterss. If I did it again I might try chipping away plaster and installing through lathe into rafters.2. Mostly from confusion with new-construction directions, I enlarged my opening to the width between the rafters. This made it easy to install the support-cage, but left a big patch/plaster job...idiot. I used the slots in the support-cage to mount a piece of sheetrock and FiXall to save the day.3. As others have said, the small/tight clip for the electrical harness is a challenge for large hands; but eventually works.4. It was a little unclear to me at first that all the white wires (and all the black) were needed for the light and vent in the fan box, and needed to be bound under one pair of wire nuts (Duh).5. The opening for the 4" vent is perfect for sliding on the hose. I had much more trouble with the un-crimped 4.2" opening my roofer left me as a challenge.6. The results are great. Love the light and the quiet, powerful fan. I'd like to install another one to add efficiency to proficiency.7. New construction install would be simple. For any install, especially for retrofit, search YouTube for helpful videos.