Are bathroom extractor fans sensible ?

[gary10]

I am just about to replace our worn out extractor fan in the bathroom. No problem, they are cheap enough but, me thinks, I have heated the room up so its nice and warm and now every time I switch the light on I'm going to bung that heat through the wall with any steam. Why don't I install a condenser like we have in the tumble dryer.
Is there such an animal, or is some smart so-and-so going to fabricate it and pinch my idea.

 

[Steve]

the fan is also there to remove any smells. particles of poo floating around in the air etc

 

[joe-90]

I believe that the rule is if you have no window you must have a fan.

 

[JohnD]

Dimplex used to make a heat-recovery centrifugal ventilator with an inflow and outflow and heat transfer between them. Very quiet.

It was a commercial failure - nobody wanted one.

I got one from the stock clearance.

 

[salem2000]

Fans in bathrooms are required under the Building Regs even if you have a window.

 

[^woody^]

Heat recovery units are inefficient, and not cost effective or worth it in our climate.

The removal of the stale, moist air together with the small amount of heat is more beneficial than letting it remain