Troubleshooting Your Greenwood CV2GIP Extractor Fan
When to do this: If your fan has stopped, isn't boosting when the room is steamy, or seems noisy. These fans are crucial for controlling damp and mould.
Understanding Your Fan: The Greenwood CV2GIP is a 'dMEV' (decentralised Mechanical Extract Ventilation) fan. To be effective against damp, it is designed to run continuously at a low, quiet 'trickle' speed, 24/7. It then 'boosts' to a higher speed when needed. Do not turn it off at the isolator switch for daily use.
- HumidiSMART™: Automatically boosts the fan when it detects a rapid rise in humidity (e.g., from a shower).
- TimerSMART™: Boosts the fan when you turn the room light on, and keeps it running for a set period after you turn the light off (note: it may not activate an overrun for the first 5 minutes of the light being on).
Step-by-Step Checks:
- Problem: The fan is not running at all.
- Check the Isolator: Find the fan's isolator switch. This is often a separate switch outside the room, sometimes with a red indicator, or a pull-cord inside the room. Ensure it is switched ON.
- Check the Fuse Box: Go to your main consumer unit (fuse box) and check if a switch labelled 'Upstairs Lights', 'Bathroom Fans', or similar has tripped. Try resetting it once. If it trips again, call an electrician.
- Problem: The fan runs on trickle but doesn't boost.
- Check Humidity Sensor: If the fan doesn't boost when the room gets steamy, the HumidiSMARTÂ feature might be disabled. To check this, you need to remove the front cover (see cleaning below) to access the control pad. Press any button to wake it up, then press the button next to the humidity symbol (often looks like three water droplets) to ensure the indicator light is ON.
- Check Light Switch: If the fan is meant to boost with the light switch, check the TimerSMART feature is enabled in the same way. Remember, it may not boost if the light is only on for a few minutes.
- Problem: The fan is noisy or seems less effective.
- The most common cause is a build-up of dust and debris. Regular cleaning is the best fix.
- How to Clean Your Fan:
- Isolate Power: Turn the fan OFF at its dedicated isolator switch AND at the main consumer unit.
- Remove Cover: The front cover usually twists off with an anti-clockwise turn.
- Clean: Use a soft, damp cloth to wipe the inside of the cover and the fan casing. Use a soft brush or the brush attachment of a vacuum cleaner to gently remove dust from the central fan impeller and surrounding areas. Do not use cleaning solvents.
- Reassemble: Twist the cover back on until it locks into place.
- Restore Power: Turn the power back on at the consumer unit and then the isolator switch.
Pro-Tip: If the fan is clean and has power but still isn't working correctly, it may need a reset by a competent person or an engineer, as this involves accessing the main body of the fan.
Troubleshooting Your Envirovent Infinity Extractor Fan
Understanding Your Fan: The Envirovent Infinity is a 'dMEV' (decentralised Mechanical Extract Ventilation) fan. To work effectively, it is designed to run continuously (24/7) at a very quiet, low 'trickle' speed. It then automatically increases its speed when it detects higher humidity. For this reason, you should not turn it off at its isolator switch as part of daily use.
Intellitrac® Humidity Tracking: This is the fan's smart feature. Instead of just turning on and off, it constantly monitors the air. When it detects a rise in humidity (e.g., from a shower 🚿), it intelligently increases the fan speed to clear the moisture and then gradually returns to its trickle setting.
Step-by-Step Checks
Problem: The fan is not running at all.
- Check the Isolator: Find the fan's dedicated power switch. This is usually a pull-cord inside the room or a separate switch on the wall outside, sometimes with a red indicator. Make sure it is switched ON.
- Check the Fuse Box: Go to your main consumer unit (fuse box). Look for a circuit breaker (switch) labelled 'Bathroom Fan', 'Upstairs Lights', or similar. If it has tripped (is in the OFF position), try resetting it once. If it trips again immediately, do not reset it and call a qualified electrician.
Problem: The fan runs on trickle but doesn't boost.
- Test the Humidity Sensor: The Intellitrac® sensor is designed to react to significant changes in humidity. A small amount of steam may not trigger a full boost. The best way to test it is to have a hot shower for at least 5-10 minutes. The fan should then audibly increase its speed. Note that this change can be gradual, not instant.
- Check the Manual Boost (if fitted): Some models are fitted with a pull-cord for a manual boost. Pull it once to activate the highest speed. Pull it again to return the fan to its automatic mode. If this works, the fan motor is fine, and the issue may lie with the sensor settings.
Problem: The fan is noisy or seems less effective.
The most common cause of noise or poor performance is a build-up of dust and debris, especially on the central filter and impeller.
How to Clean Your Fan
Regular cleaning will keep your fan working quietly and efficiently.
- Isolate Power: For your safety, turn the fan OFF at its dedicated isolator switch AND at the main consumer unit.
- Remove Cover: The front cover is usually held in place by a single central screw, which may be under a small cap. Unscrew this and gently pull the front cover away from the fan body.
- Clean the Filter: Unlike many other fans, the Infinity has a washable filter. It is a circular piece of foam located in the centre. Carefully remove it. Wash it in warm, soapy water, rinse it thoroughly, and allow it to dry completely before refitting.
- Clean the Impeller: Use a soft brush or the brush attachment of a vacuum cleaner to gently remove dust from the fan impeller (the part that spins) and the surrounding casing. Do not use water or cleaning solvents inside the fan unit.
- Reassemble: Once the filter is fully dry, place it back in its housing. Re-attach the front cover and secure it with the central screw.
- Restore Power: Turn the power back on at the consumer unit and then at the fan's isolator switch. The fan should start up in its trickle mode.
Pro-Tip: If you have cleaned the fan and confirmed it has power but it still isn't working correctly, it may need to be checked by an electrician. The internal speed and sensor settings are configured during installation and should not be adjusted without the proper knowledge.
