Do you want to learn how to remove NuTone bathroom fan light covers?
Removing a bath fan light cover can be a little tricky if you don't know the right procedure.
In this guide, I will go over how to remove the light cover from three NuTone models...
- NuTone 8664RP
- NuTone 696
- NuTone HD80L
However, the principles will be roughly the same even for different NuTone fans.
Let's get started with this guide!
Quickly Removing NuTone Light Covers
Nothing can be more frustrating that not being able to remove a bathroom fan light cover. The most likely reason a homeowner will want to remove a NuTone light cover will be to replace the light bulb. But you may also just want to clean the light cover so more light can shine through.
Whatever the reason, removing NuTone light covers is pretty simple. There are basically two ways to remove NuTone light covers. The first way applies to some NuTone fan models such as the 8664RP.
Grille & Light Cover Are One Piece
With this model, the light cover will have to be removed with the grille at the same time. You cannot detach the light cover without removing the grill. Simply pull down on the grill, and squeeze on the metal mounting springs to release the grille & light cover assembly.
Removable Light Covers
However, with other models such as the 696 and HD80L, the light cover is removable (and without removing the grille). For these models, you simply squeeze the sides of the light cover together, and this will release the plastic tabs on the side. The tab will release from the slot, and you can detach the light cover.
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How To Remove NuTone 8664RP Fan Light Cover?
The NuTone 8664RP bath fan has a single piece circular grille and light lens assembly.
You will remove the grille and light lens together unlike some of the other NuTone models where they can be separated.
To remove the grille and lens assembly, all you have to do is pull down on the outer edge of the grill. It will come down 1-2 inches.
Once you have pulled down the grille from the ceiling, you need reach underneath the grille and feel the metal mounting springs. There will be two mounting springs situated 180-degrees from each other.
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NuTone 8664RP: To remove light cover, you will have to pull down the whole grill/lens assembly, and then squeeze together the mounting springs (picture sourced from NuTone installation manual).
You have to squeeze these metal clips together, which will free them from their slots, and then you will be able to completely remove the grill and lens assembly.
After you have removed the grill and lens assembly, you will have access to the 100-watt bulb or the 7-watt night light bulb.
You may want to go further and remove the reflector assembly, which is the main electrical component of the lighting system. To completely remove the reflector assembly, you will have to first remove the wing nut at the center, and then you will have to unplug the reflector assembly from the housing outlet.
Here is the installation manual for the NuTone 8664RP.
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How To Remove NuTone 696 Light Cover?
The NuTone 696 has a rectangular grill and light fan cover. And unlike 8664RP, the the grill and reflector assembly is held together by a single wing nut, but the light lens cover is removable (without removing grill/reflector assembly).
To remove the light lens, you simply squeeze or depress the sides of the rectangular light lens, and then pull down on either side. This will release the plastic tab on each either side, and then you slide it out.
NuTone 696: Squeeze together sides of center light cover and tabs will release (picture from NuTone installation manual).
With just removing the center light lens, you will have access to the light bulb if you wish to install a replacement. Only use light bulbs up to 100-watts for this bathroom fan.
If you want to go further and remove the grill and reflector assembly, all you have to do is undo the single acorn nut at the center. Then you can pull down on the grill and reflector assembly, but you will have to unplug the reflector before you can totally remove it.
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NuTone 696: Grille and reflector assembly is held together by single acorn nut (picture from NuTone installation manual).
How To Remove NuTone HD80L Light Cover?
Similar to the Nutone 696 bathroom exhaust fan with light, the grill and reflector assembly are held together with a single acorn nut but the center rectangular light lens is removable separately.
To remove the light lens, squeeze together the two sides of the lens cover, and one of the plastic tabs will come out of the slot. The "slots" of the light lens cover is on the sides of the grill.
NuTone HD80L: Remove center light lens by squeezing sides (picture from NuTone installation manual).
Once you get once side loose, you will be able to remove the other lens tab, and then completely remove the light lens cover.
If you want to go further and remove the grill and reflector assembly, you will have to loosen the single centered acorn nut, and then you can remove the grill and reflector assembly. You will also have to unplug the reflector to completely take it out.
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NuTone HD80L: Grill & reflector assembly is held together by a single acorn nut (picture from NuTone installation manual).
The Light Cover Is Removable Or Attached To Grille
There are basically two ways to remove a light lens cover on a NuTone bathroom fan.
Most likely, you will be able to remove the center light cover by simply squeezing the sides together, which will loosen the tabs. Then you can pull out one side (tab released from slot), and then pull out the entire light cover. However, some models such as the 8664RP, which has a circular grille and centered light cover, does not have a detachable light cover.
To remove the light cover, you will have to pull down on the grille, and then reach underneath and squeeze the spring clips together. When you squeeze the mounting spring together, it will release from its slot, and then you can pull out the one piece grille and light cover.
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