We have two fans (Toliet and internal bathroom (no window)) that is connected to a pull cord by the door and is activated as well as the light when we pull it and stays on for a period of time after the light is switched off. However our neighbours complained about the noise of the fan at night so we disconnected them. Is there such thing as a fan that turns off straight away when the light cord is pulled - or can we have one when the light is on and the fan is off - what would be the best solution?

Sharon, August 2009

You fans will have timers in them. You can either turn the timer down to just a few seconds after the light is switched off or so that they turn off straight away.

However the usual reason that the fans are there is that they are required by Building Regs and so you should not turn them off completely.

If it was me I would leave them run for say 20 seconds or so after someone had turned the light off. How would your neighbour know that they were not going off instantly? :-)

If they still moan, you may want to share the Building Regulations requirement with them and say that your hands are tied.

T, August 2009