QuietScore › Bathroom & Utility Fans › Dayton 5AE72A
Dayton 5AE72A noise level
The Dayton 5AE72A is louder than the category median of 0.7 sones, and its 240 CFM rating makes it suitable for bathrooms up to roughly 240 sq ft.
Full specifications
| Brand | Dayton |
|---|---|
| Model number | 5AE72A |
| Model name | 5AE72A |
| Category | Bathroom & Utility Fans |
| Sound level | 1.4 sones (≈45 dBA, approximate) |
| Airflow | 240 CFM |
| Efficiency | 4.3 CFM/W |
| Duct size | 8.0 inch depth X 8.0 inch width |
| Speeds | 1 |
| Integrated lighting | No |
| ENERGY STAR certified | Yes |
| On market since | 2005-01-06 |
| Markets | United States |
Quieter alternatives with similar airflow
| Model | Sones | ≈ dBA | Airflow | Efficiency | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delta SMT150-200 | 0.4 | 27 | 200 CFM | 8.7 CFM/W | specs |
| Delta SMT150-200LED | 0.6 | 33 | 200 CFM | 10.3 CFM/W | specs |
| Broan L150E | 0.7 | 35 | 210 CFM | 5 CFM/W | specs |
| Panasonic FV-20VQ3 | 0.9 | 38 | 190 CFM | 4.6 CFM/W | specs |
| Broan L200E | 1 | 40 | 240 CFM | 4.7 CFM/W | specs |
Similar bathroom & utility fans
| Model | Sones | ≈ dBA | Airflow | Efficiency | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greenheck SP-A200 | 1.4 | 45 | 240 CFM | 4.3 CFM/W | specs |
| Greenheck SP-A200L | 1.3 | 44 | 245 CFM | 4.3 CFM/W | specs |
| Broan L250E | 1.4 | 45 | 270 CFM | 4.6 CFM/W | specs |
| Broan L200E | 1 | 40 | 240 CFM | 4.7 CFM/W | specs |
| Ortech ODD-300-3 | 1.2 | 43 | 292 CFM | 6.5 CFM/W | specs |
Frequently asked questions
How many sones is the Dayton 5AE72A?
The Dayton 5AE72A is certified at 1.4 sones in ENERGY STAR lab testing, which is approximately 45 dBA. That is noticeable but unobtrusive — quieter than a typical conversation.
Is the Dayton 5AE72A quiet?
At 1.4 sones, the Dayton 5AE72A is quieter than 24% of the 811 certified bathroom & utility fans we track, and louder than the category median of 0.7 sones.
How powerful is the Dayton 5AE72A?
It moves 240 CFM, which is adequate for a bathroom of roughly 240 sq ft under the standard 1-CFM-per-square-foot guideline, at an efficiency of 4.3 CFM per watt.
Data provenance: Sound levels are certified lab measurements (sones) reported in the U.S. EPA ENERGY STAR certified products dataset — not manufacturer marketing claims. Source: ENERGY STAR Certified Ventilating Fans (US EPA), last fetched 2026-06-13. The dBA figure is an approximate conversion from sones — see our methodology.