QuietScore › Bathroom & Utility Fans › Panasonic FV-20VQ3
Panasonic FV-20VQ3 noise level
The Panasonic FV-20VQ3 is louder than the category median of 0.7 sones, and its 190 CFM rating makes it suitable for bathrooms up to roughly 190 sq ft.
Full specifications
| Brand | Panasonic |
|---|---|
| Model number | FV-20VQ3 |
| Model name | WhisperCeiling |
| Category | Bathroom & Utility Fans |
| Sound level | 0.9 sones (≈38 dBA, approximate) |
| Airflow | 190 CFM |
| Efficiency | 4.6 CFM/W |
| Duct size | 6.00 inch diameter |
| Speeds | 1 |
| Integrated lighting | No |
| ENERGY STAR certified | Yes |
| On market since | 2010-06-01 |
| Markets | United States, Canada |
Quieter alternatives with similar airflow
| Model | Sones | ≈ dBA | Airflow | Efficiency | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Panasonic FV-1115VK3 | 0.1 | 7 | 150 CFM | 13.7 CFM/W | specs |
| Panasonic FV-1115VK3 with FV-VS15VK1 | 0.1 | 7 | 150 CFM | 13.7 CFM/W | specs |
| Panasonic FV-1115VKL3 | 0.1 | 7 | 150 CFM | 12.2 CFM/W | specs |
| Panasonic FV-1115VKL3 with FV-VS15VK1 | 0.1 | 7 | 150 CFM | 12.2 CFM/W | specs |
| Panasonic FV-1115VQ1 | 0.1 | 7 | 150 CFM | 12.9 CFM/W | specs |
Similar bathroom & utility fans
| Model | Sones | ≈ dBA | Airflow | Efficiency | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delta PRO200 | 1 | 40 | 200 CFM | 11.4 CFM/W | specs |
| Commercial Electric BF1115 | 0.8 | 37 | 160 CFM | 4.4 CFM/W | specs |
| VENTECHLATION VF-BF-06 | 1 | 40 | 160 CFM | 4.5 CFM/W | specs |
| Tech Drive TD-BF-19 | 1 | 40 | 160 CFM | 4.5 CFM/W | specs |
| OREiN OL1700376 | 1 | 40 | 160 CFM | 4.8 CFM/W | specs |
Frequently asked questions
How many sones is the Panasonic FV-20VQ3?
The Panasonic FV-20VQ3 is certified at 0.9 sones in ENERGY STAR lab testing, which is approximately 38 dBA. That is comparable to a quiet modern refrigerator humming in the next room.
Is the Panasonic FV-20VQ3 quiet?
At 0.9 sones, the Panasonic FV-20VQ3 is quieter than 39% of the 839 certified bathroom & utility fans we track, and louder than the category median of 0.7 sones.
How powerful is the Panasonic FV-20VQ3?
It moves 190 CFM, which is adequate for a bathroom of roughly 190 sq ft under the standard 1-CFM-per-square-foot guideline, at an efficiency of 4.6 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 2026-09-07. The dBA figure is an approximate conversion from sones — see our methodology.