What would be the purpose of this bathroom fan if it’s not vented?

to circulate air...just bought a house in which the previous owners clearly did a DIY job to create a guest bath. I was hoping to not have to cut into the ceiling and do ductwork. I've seen the fans with charcoal filters, but none with lights in them.

Just vent it.

ETA Oops, maybe not such an issue for a half bath, but I've never heard of a bath fan that isn't vented that does much of anything.

I have the same problem with a house we are building. We have a half bath off the main hallway that actually has a window, so external venting is not needed. However, for the sake of noise privacy, I would like a recirculating fan with a light, so that people are more comfortable using it. We already have more than enough external vents in the house that I really would prefer not cutting yet another hole in the outside walls.

For light and ductless charcoal filtration, look at the Broan 682. There are others, but that's one that I remember the model number.

If the fan is not venting moisture from a shower, I see no problem with installing a vented fan without venting to the outside.

Thanks MongoCT; I saw that one. Unfortunately they seem to have discontinued it with the light - I can only find it in a fan only version.

there are lots - this is the one we just bought https://www.homedepot.com/p/Home-Netwerks-Decorative-White-70-CFM-Bluetooth-Stereo-Speaker-Exhaust-Bathroom-Exhaust-Fan-with-LED-Light-7130-08-BT/301391024?MERCH=REC--PIPHorizontal2_rr--301051660--301391024--N

I like Panasonic fans. Deadly quiet. You can hear everything

I see no point in a fan without venting in a bathroom if you have lived with no vent I would just leave it as is.

If a noisy fan is there only to detract from grunty noises, I seem to recall a Japanese company making something made a sound like (loudly) running water. Indeed, a quick search for "japan toilet noise maker" will reveal lots.

Fan Link

Several mfg's sell what looks like a simple can light but is actually both a vent/light in one. Look on Amazon I am sure it is Broan. They are what I would call medium in regards to fan noise.

You could also have a simple speaker triggered when the light turns on if it is solely for noise.

There is no issue with venting if no moisture is present. I would tie into another but if noise is that much of a issue why not.

Thanks everyone for your efforts to help. Unfortunately, everything but the Japanese running water toilet app needs ducting. I am signing off this thread and putting us all out of our misery ;-)

@Kris - when you say ducting, you can get a short flexible duct that attaches to any of these and just pipes away from the fan a few feet / it doesn't need to go all the way to outside the house

https://www.homedepot.com/p/NuTone-Quick-Installation-Bathroom-Exhaust-Fan-Grille-Cover-with-LED-FG500NS/308537039?mtc=Shopping-VF-F_D26P-G-D26P-26_2_AIR_CIRCULATION_ACCES-NuTone-NA-Feed-PLA-NA-NA-AIR_CIRCULATION_ACCES&cm_mmc=Shopping-VF-F_D26P-G-D26P-26_2_AIR_CIRCULATION_ACCES-NuTone-NA-Feed-PLA-NA-NA-AIR_CIRCULATION_ACCES-71700000041643243-58700004440792784-92700037366020113&gclid=CjwKCAjwh472BRAGEiwAvHVfGmvow84yKmaFBJM_vOYgnSPZKprn-n8xzU6NHJ8OPjI1ocqTH1-VMRoCGIwQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

You could buy one without a light, and add one of those out on LED grill covers

NOTE: Details for the exhaust fan grill with light shows what fans it's compatible with and the DUCT FREE Broan / Nutone 682 and 682NT fans are NOT included.

Exhaust fan grill:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Broan-NuTone-Quick-Installation-Bathroom-Exhaust-Fan-Grille-Cover-with-LED-FG500NS/308537039?mtc=Shopping-VF-F_D26P-G-D26P-26_2_AIR_CIRCULATION_ACCES-NuTone-NA-Feed-PLA-NA-NA-AIR_CIRCULATION_ACCES&cm_mmc=Shopping-VF-F_D26P-G-D26P-26_2_AIR_CIRCULATION_ACCES-NuTone-NA-Feed-PLA-NA-NA-AIR_CIRCULATION_ACCES-71700000041643243-58700004440792784-92700037366020113&gclsrc=aw.ds#overlay