Utilitech 7131-04 1.5-Sone 100-CFM White Bathroom Fan Instruction Manual

UTILITECH & logo design are trademarks or registered trademarks of LF, LLC. All rights reserved.

ITEM # 5632649

VENTILATION FAN WITH HUMIDITY SENSOR

MODEL 7131-04

ATTACH YOUR RECEIPT HERE

Serial Number Purchase Date

Questions, problems, missing parts? Before returning to the store, call our customer service department at 866-994-4148, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m., EST, Monday – Sunday. You could also contact us at ascs@lowes.com.

READ AND SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

SS23661 08/2023

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS

Airflow: 100 CFM

120 V, 60 Hz
Duct diameter: 4 in.
Sound output: 1.5 sones
Power consumption: 17W (0.3A)
Humidity sensor tolerance: +/- 10%

PACKAGE CONTENTS

PART

| DESCRIPTION|

QUANTITY

---|---|---

A

| Fan housing|

1

B

| Grille|

1

C

| Duct connector|

1

SAFETY INFORMATION

Please read and understand this entire manual before attempting to assemble, operate or install the product.

• Always disconnect the power supply prior to servicing the fan, motor or junction box.
• Follow all local building, safety and electrical codes as well as NEC (National Electrical Code) and OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Act).
• Electric Service supply must be 120 volts, 60 hertz.
• This product must properly connect to the grounding conductor of the supply circuit.
• Do not bend or kink the power wires.
• Do not install in a ceiling with insulation greater than R40.
• Duct work should be installed in a straight line with minimal bends.
• Duct work size must be the same size as the discharge and should not be reduced. Reducing the duct size may increase fan noise.
• Do not use this fan with any solid state control device, such as a remote control, or certain timers. Mechanical timers are not solid state devices.
• This product is not intended for connection to rigid metal conduit. For use with flexible conduit only.

CAUTION

• For general ventilating use only. Do not use to exhaust hazardous or explosive materials and vapors.
• Not for use in kitchens.
• To reduce the risk of injury to persons, install the fan at least 8.2 feet (2.5m) above the floor.
• To reduce risk of fire and to properly exhaust air, be sure to vent air to the outdoors. Do not vent exhaust air into spaces within walls or ceilings, or into attics, crawl spaces, or garages.

WARNING: To reduce the risk of fire, electric shock, or injury to persons, observe the following:

1. Use this unit in the manner intended by the manufacturer. If you have any questions, please call customer service.
2. Before servicing or, cleaning the unit, switch the power off at the service panel and lock the service disconnecting means to prevent the power from being switched on accidentally. When the service disconnecting means cannot be locked, securely fasten a prominent warning device, such as a tag, to the service panel.
3. Installation work and electrical wiring must be done by a qualified person(s) in accordance with all applicable codes and standards, including fire-rated construction.
4. Sufficient air is needed for proper combustion and exhausting of gases through the flue (chimney) of fuel burning equipment to prevent back drafting. Follow the heating equipment manufacturer´s guideline and safety standards such as those published by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), and the American Society for Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) and local code authorities.
5. When cutting or drilling into the wall or ceiling, do not damage electrical wiring and other hidden utilities.
6. To reduce risk of fire and to properly exhaust air, be sure to vent air to the outdoors. Do not vent exhaust air into spaces within walls or ceilings, or into attics, crawl spaces, or garages.
7. If this unit is to be installed over a tub or shower, it must be marked as appropriate for the application and be connected to a GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) – protected branch circuit.
8. This ventilation fan is intended to be installed at least 3 ft. 3-1/4 in. (1 m) from the showerhead when installing over a bathtub or shower. Installation within a shower stall is not recommended for this unit, unless the 3 ft. 3-1/4 in. (1 m) distance can be met.

CAUTION: Installation of this unit requires the power to be OFF until installation is complete. If you encounter issues with the unit not powering up, please review the troubleshooting section of the instruction manual.

If you require additional assistance, please call 866-994-4148, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m., EST, Monday – Sunday. You could also contact us at ascs@lowes.com. DO NOT RETURN TO STORE.

PREPARATION

Before beginning assembly of product, make sure all parts are present. Compare parts with package contents list. If any part is missing or damaged, do not attempt to assemble, install or operate the product. Contact customer service for replacement parts at 866-994-4148, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m., EST, Monday – Sunday. You could also contact us at ascs@lowes.com.

Estimated Assembly Time: 60 minutes

Tools Required for Assembly (not included): Hammer, Flathead Screwdriver, Wood Screws, Duct Tape, Phillips Screwdriver, and Utility Knife or Drywall Saw

Helpful Tools (not included): Electric Drill, Drill Bits

WARNING: RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK! Ensure the electricity to the wires you are working on is shut off. Either remove the fuse or turn off the circuit breaker before removing the existing bath fan or installing the new one.

Check area above installation location to be sure that wiring can run to the planned location and that duct work can be run and the area is sufficient for proper ventilation.

Inspect duct work and wiring before proceeding with installation.

Before installation, provide inspection and future maintenance access at a location that will not interfere with installation work.

Installation may vary depending on how the previous bath fan was installed. Supplies necessary for the installation of your bath fan are not all included; however, most are available at your local home improvement or hardware store.

DIMENSIONS

Ceiling Opening (L)

| Ceiling Opening (W)| Ceiling Opening (H)
---|---|---
7-3/4 in.| 7-1/2 in.|

6 in.

7-1/2 in.

| 7-1/4 in.|

5-3/4 in.

WIRING

1. House wires
2. Quick connector
3. Product wires

NOTE: The connector is reusable on solid wires of the same wire gauge or smaller. Do not reuse the connector on stranded wires.

• Strip wires 3/8 in. – 1/2 in.
• Grip the wire firmly and push the stripped end of the wire into the open port of the connector. Use only one conductor per port.
• Verify the stripped end of the wires is fully inserted to the back of the connector.

CAUTION: Wiring maximum temperature rating 221°F (105°C). 600V maximum for building wiring and 1,000V maximum for signs and light fixtures. The acceptable wire range is 12-18 AWG Sol. Cu.

1. Ventilation Fan
2. Black
3. White
4. Green
5. Switch Box (purchase separately)
6. Line
7. Neutral
8. Ground

WARNING: Wiring must comply with all applicable electrical codes. Turn off power before removing or installing connectors.

WARNING: COPPER TO COPPER ONLY. Do not use aluminum wire.

CAUTION: Accessory part (quick connector) should meet installation instructions to the right.

TYPICAL INSTALLATION

1. Roof cap (with built-in damper)
2. Caulk termination to duct
3. Wall cap (with built-in damper)
4. Short piece of flexible duct helps alignment and absorbs sound
5. 2-3 foot straight run before elbow
6. Seal any gap around fan housing
7. Fan housing
8. Properly insulate around fan to minimize building heat loss and gain

It is recommended to apply proper insulation around the fan to minimize heat loss and gain. This fan is designed to be installed using a 4-in. duct.

Using a rigid duct is recommended. Using a flexible duct, cut to size and/or fully extended is also acceptable. Ducting has a strong effect on the air flow, noise and energy use of the fan. Use the shortest, straightest duct routing possible for best performance. Avoid installing the fan with smaller ducts than recommended. Insulation around the ducts can reduce energy loss and inhibit mold growth. Fans installed with existing ducts may not achieve their rated air flow.

NEW CONSTRUCTION INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

BEFORE INSTALLATION

WARNING: RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK! Ensure the electricity to the wires you are working on is shut off. Either remove the fuse or turn off the circuit breaker before removing the existing bath fan or installing the new one.

1. Attach the duct connector (C) to the fan housing (A).

2. Remove the wiring box cover (2.1) from the fan housing 2 (A). Remove the wiring knockout (2.2) from the wiring box cover (2.1) with a flathead screwdriver.

3. Place the fan housing (A) next to a ceiling joist or wall 3 stud. The fan housing (A) should be level and perpendicular to the joist or stud. Allow for thickness of ceiling or wall board used in your application.

Position the fan housing (A) so the bottom edge of the fan housing (A) is flush with the ceiling or wall board. Do not flush mount the fan housing (A) to the edge of the joist or wall stud.

1. Joist or wall stud

4. Mount the fan housing (A) to the joist or stud by inserting wood screws (4.1) (not included) into the holes indicated on the metal tabs of the fan housing (A). Tighten the wood screws (4.1) until the fan housing (A) is firmly secured to the joist.

5. Pull the house wires through the hole in the wiring box cover (5.1). Using the quick connectors, connect the house wiring from the wall switch to the fan housing (A). 14 AWG is the smallest conductor that should be used for branch- circuit wiring. Please refer to the wiring diagrams on page 4 to ensure proper wire connections are made.

Carefully push the wire connections back into the wiring box housing and reattach the wiring box cover (5.1).

CAUTION: If your electrical wires do not match the colors listed, consult a licensed electrician to determine what each house wire represents before connecting the fan.

1. Quick connector

6. Connect a 4 in. circular duct to the duct connector (C) on 6 the fan housing (A), securing it with duct tape or a clamp. Vent the duct to the outside.

Finish ceiling or wall work. The hole in the ceiling or wall board should be aligned with the edge of the fan housing (A).

1. 4 in. Duct
2. Duct tape or clamp
3. Ceiling or wall

7. Attach the grille (B) by pinching the mounting springs and inserting them into the narrow rectangular slots in the fan housing (A).

Turn on the power source. Test the unit.

1. Housing slots
2. Mounting springs

EXISTING CONSTRUCTION INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

BEFORE INSTALLATION

WARNING: RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK! Ensure the electricity to the wires you are working on is shut off. Either remove the fuse or turn off the circuit breaker before removing the existing bath fan or installing the new one.

1. Remove existing fan.

2. Measure the opening to ensure it is large enough to accommodate the 7-1/2 in. x 7-1/4 in. dimensions of the new fan housing (A).

3. If this fan is not replacing an old fan, be sure to cut a 7-3/4 in. x 7-1/2 in. opening for the fan housing.

Make sure the 7-1/2 in. side of the opening is flush with the joist or wall stud for easy installation.

4. Attach the duct connector (C) to the fan housing (A).

5. Remove the three screws (5.1) on the side of the fan housing (A) that hold the fan motor (5.2) in place. With the screws removed, unplug the fan motor plug (5.3) and pull the fan motor out of the fan housing (A).

NOTE: Save the screws for reinstallation of the fan motor.

6. Remove the wiring box cover (6.1) from the fan housing (A). Remove the wiring knockout (6.2) from the wiring box cover (6.1) with a flathead screwdriver.

7. Pull the house wires through the hole in the wiring box cover (7.1). Using the quick connectors, connect the house wiring from the wall switch to the fan housing (A). 14 AWG is the smallest conductor that should be used for branch- circuit wiring. Please refer to the wiring diagrams on page 4 to ensure proper wire connections are made.

Carefully push the wire connections back into the wiring box housing and reattach the wiring box cover (7.1).

CAUTION: If your electrical wires do not match the colors listed, consult a licensed electrician to determine what each house wire represents before connecting the fan.

1. Quick connector

8. Connect a 4 in. circular duct to the duct connector (C) on the fan housing (A), securing it with duct tape or a clamp. Vent the duct to the outside.

Finish ceiling or wall work. The hole in the ceiling or wall board should be aligned with the edge of the fan housing (A).

1. 4 in. Duct
2. Duct tape or clamp

9. With the wiring and duct connected, insert the fan housing (A) into the hole in the ceiling or wall board. The bottom edge of the fan housing (A) should be level and perpendicular with the ceiling or wall board.

10. Mount the fan housing (A) to the joist or wall stud with three wood screws (10.1) (not included) through the holes in the side of the fan housing (A).

The fan housing (A) must be installed flush with the ceiling or wall board or the grille mounting springs will not be long enough to insert into the slots inside the fan housing (A).

1. Joist or wall stud

11. Plug the fan motor plug (11.1) into the fan housing (A). Place the fan motor (11.2) back into the fan housing (A), aligning the duct with the duct opening in the fan housing (A), and attach the fan motor (11.2) to the housing using the three screws (11.3) removed in step 5.

12. Attach the grille (B) by pinching the mounting springs and inserting them into the narrow rectangular slots in the fan housing (A). Turn on power source. Test the unit.

1. Housing slots
2. Mounting springs

OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

1. To use the fan in humidity sensing mode, flip the wall switch to the “ON” position. The LED indicator light in the grille (B) will be BLUE.

The humidity sensor will automatically turn the fan on when the humidity level in the room is above the useradjustable set-point. When the humidity level drops below the user-adjustable set-point, the fan will stop automatically.

1. Blue indicator light

2. To adjust the relative humidity level set-point, turn the selector on the humidity sensor control in the fan housing (A).

1. Humidity sensor control

3. To use the fan in full speed mode, toggle the wall switch on and off. The LED indicator light in the grille (B) will be AMBER.

1. Amber indicator light

4. To turn the fan off, flip the wall switch to the “OFF” position.

CARE AND CLEANING

CAUTION: Before attempting to clean the fixture, disconnect the power to the fixture by turning the breaker off or removing the fuse from the fuse box.

See safety information before proceeding. Routine maintenance should be done at least once a year.

• Never use solvents, thinner or harsh chemicals for cleaning the fan.
• Do not allow water to enter the motor.
• Do not immerse metal parts in water.
• Do not immerse resin parts in water more than 140°F.

BEFORE INSTALLATION

WARNING: RISK OF ELECTRIC SHOCK! Ensure the electricity to the wires you are working on is shut off. Either remove the fuse or turn off the circuit breaker before cleaning.

1. Remove the grille (B) by squeezing the mounting springs and pulling the grille (B) down from the fan housing (A). Wipe grille (B) with a damp cloth.

1. Housing slots
2. Mounting springs

2. Remove dust and dirt from the fan housing (A) with a vacuum cleaner. Carefully remove dust from around the humidity sensor control. Longtime operation will influence the precision of the humidity sensor as dust accumulates.

3. Wipe the fan housing (A) with a damp cloth and wipe dry.

4. Attach the grille (B) by pinching the mounting springs and inserting them into the narrow rectangular slots in the fan housing (A).

Turn on power source.

1. Housing slots
2. Mounting springs

TROUBLESHOOTING

PROBLEM

| POSSIBLE CAUSE|

SOLUTION

---|---|---
The fan seems louder than it should be.| The CFM is too great for the space.| Be sure the CFM rating on the fan matches the square footage of your room.
The damper is damaged or not working properly.| Check the damper to ensure it is opening and closing properly. If the damper has become damaged, please call Customer Service.
The bend in the duct is too close to the fan discharge.| Be sure you do not have any sharp bends in the duct within 18 in. of the fan discharge.
The fan discharge is reduced to fit a smaller duct.| Use the recommended size ducting to reduce fan noise.
The fan body is not attached securely.| Be sure the fan is securely attached to the ceiling joists.
The fan has an abnormal sound or vibration.| The fan body is not attached securely.| Be sure the fan housing is securely attached to the ceiling joists or wall studs.
The grille is not attached securely.| Be sure the grille is pushed upward gently until it is firmly attached to the fan housing.
The circular duct is not secured to the duct connector.| Be sure the duct tape or clamp is secured for an airtight connection.
The fan is not clearing humidity from the room.| There is insufficient airflow intake in the room.| Be sure a door or window is slightly ajar or open to allow airflow. The fan is not able to draw air out of the room without enough airflow.
There is insufficient CFM.

NOTE: Using a tissue is not the correct method for determining if the fan is operating properly. If the fan clears steam from the room within approximately 15 minutes of completing your shower, then the fan is operating properly.

| Be sure the CFM rating on the fan matches the square footage of your room.
The fan keeps running even though the humidity level is lower than the user- adjustable set-point for the relative humidity.

NOTE: The humidity sensor tolerance is +/- 10% RH.

| Outdoor humidity is back drafting into the fan.| Continue to let fan run since it is good to keep venting the house and the electric cost is minimal (estimated at less than $10 per year).
The fan is operating in manual mode.| Verify the humidity sensing function has been selected. The LED indicator light in the grille will be blue when humidity sensing mode is turned on.

LIMITED 5-YEAR WARRANTY

If this product fails due to a defect in materials or workmanship at any time during the first FIVE years of ownership, the manufacturer will replace it free of charge, postage-paid at their option. This warranty does not cover products that have been abused, altered, damaged, misused, cut or worn. This warranty does not cover use in commercial applications. Use only manufacturer- supplied genuine warranty repair replacement parts to repair this fan. Use of non-genuine repair parts will void your warranty. The manufacturer DISCLAIMS all other implied or express warranties including all warranties of merchantability and/or fitness for a particular purpose. As some states do not allow exclusions or limitations on an implied warranty, the above exclusions and limitations may not apply. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may have other rights that vary from state to state.

This warranty is limited to the replacement of defective parts only. Labor charges and/or damage incurred during installation, repair, replacement as well as incidental and consequential damages connected with the above are excluded. Any damage to this product as a result of neglect, misuse, accident, imporper installation or use other than the purpose SHALL VOID THIS WARRANTY.

Shipping costs for return product as part of a claim on the warranty must be paid for by the customer.

Inquiries regarding warranty claims can be directed to 866-994-4148, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m., EST, Monday – Sunday. You could also contact us at ascs@lowes.com.

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