Panasonic FV-11VQ5 WhisperCeiling 110 CFM Ceiling Mounted Fan, White

The Panasonic FV-11VQ5 is the newest release from Panasonic in the WhisperCeiling series of ventilation fans. Panasonic discontinued the .8 Sone, 110 CFM, FV-11VQ3 for this next-generation, enhanced version. It is essentially the same model with some minor variations, the most noticeable being a reduction in operational sound level from .8 Sone to .3 Sone. The power consumption between the two units has also been reduced from 30.7W to 21.1W (at .1 static pressure), which drops the Amperage from .26 to .18, making this unit more efficient.

The FV-11VQ5 is relatively large, but a fantastic performer for the money. The rough-in cut required to mount the unit is 10-1/2" x 10-1/2". The outside grill is 13" x 13". A cardboard template is supplied to assist in drawing the physical layout of the rough-in cut on the ceiling. This greatly enhanced the ease of installation. Opening the unit, there's little that needs to be done other than remove the tape from the internal...Read more

I bought this for $119.99 to replace my old bathroom fan that wasn't working. I am a novice on installing something like this or doing any construction work. I don't know how its possible for anyone to install this fan from below. I have an attic and I installed the fan from there. It was not easy for me to install it. First, I had to make a hole bigger. Being an amateur at cutting hole, I made the hole a little bit too big. The instructions show 3 ways you can install the fan. I choose the first way where you use the support bracket and install 2 screws from the bottom. The second way uses 1 and 1/2 support bracket, meaning there's a long piece in the back and half a piece in the front (where the exhaust and power box is located). It seems impossible to install using the second installation instruction unless you have a big space between the joist. The third way is for small space between the joist and you are able to screw the fan from the bottom on both sides of the fan...Read more

Once I opened the box, the superior quality of this vent over what I was used to from Broan/NuTone was readily apparent. The squirrel-cage fan is much more robust and has a much more solid feel when you spin it by hand. The smoothness of the motor is nothing like that of a Broan/NuTone vent.

In 11 years that we have lived in our current house, I have replaced the NuTone vent in out master bath twice. I expect this Panasonic unit to last 20 years.

I have been amazed at how the level of quality in Broan/NuTone units has dropped. My parents have two Broan ceiling mount fan forced heaters in their bathrooms. They were installed when the house was built 50 years ago. They still work perfectly and quietly. The new products from Broan/NuTone simply do not last.