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Big find: NOS chrome Emerson Pryne exhaust fan grille covers available from House of Fans

pam kueber - Updated: August 18, 2021

Retro Renovation stopped publishing in 2021; these stories remain for historical information, as potential continued resources, and for archival purposes.

emerson pryne fan cover
Scott bought one — here it is, installed. Beeyouteefull!

House of Fans is closing its retail location end of this month (Jan. 31, 2015 ish). The new owners of their building have other plans for the building, so all the tenants need to go. The company does plan on continuing to sell its existing stock of NOS Emerson Pryne fan covers. They have a goodly amount of inventory left — a couple of hundred even maybe. They likely will sell in some kind of online fashion — ebay or some such. As soon as they figure it all out — they will call me. I will do an update story.

UPDATE: This was a 2013 story — the fan covers are long gone. Watch ebay…. I will keep this story up for historical reference.

2013 story continues:

Meanwhile, I think it’s always wise to JUMP on this stuff while the bird is in your hand. Which is like NOW. Come on. These beautiful puppies only cost like $35. Hoard yours NOW!

Thanks, Cara, for this tip!

And this was the story the original 2013 story updated:

I love vintage and retro-style exhaust fans — the round kind that you install into the ceiling or on a wall. You can still get these fans from Broan.

But, today’s models come with white plastic grille covers. Getting a chrome cover is not impossible, though — and we now have two source. A few years ago, I found a satin chrome style cover, available from Nutone as a replacement part (now discontinued). And now, industrious reader Scott has found a bona-fide NEW OLD STOCK! chrome cover that he says will also fit the new Nutone/Broan fans still on the market. Even better! Continue for the secret sauce source and all the links to these fans and their retro grille covers.

kitchen exhaust fan
The exhaust fan in my kitchen is still made today by Nutone/Broan. But until now, I only knew of where to get a satin-chrome-look grille cover as a replacement part. Now, Scott has discovered where you can get a New Old Stock Emerson Pryne chrome grille cover — even better!

The authentic, New Old Stock chrome cover is available from House of Fans. It was made by Emerson/Pryne (navigate to that page on the House of Fans website) — a famous maker back in the day. 

exhaust fan grille cover

It is 12″ wide, costs $35, you need your own knob, and House of Fans told me last week they had lots of stock. Reader Scott says the cover will fit Broan/Nutone fan 504. And he gets major snaps for this hot tip — thanks, Scott!

Also be aware: Check specifications of the various models of fans for guidance on where exactly they and for what usages they are specified to be installed. Also check your local codes.

I asked about the grills and they said that when Emerson Pryne went out of business, House of Fans bought up their stock and so these covers have been sitting around their warehouse for a long time. I did not ask how many they have left.

 

 

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56 comments

Comments

  1. david collins says

    I am interested in one of these knobs if one is still available. How might I contact Carol or have her contact me? I realize that almost 3 months have passed and I might be out of luck.

  2. Jennifer says

    So, just to be sure, you can pair one of these 8 1/2″ grilles with a Nutone 8210? I just want to make sure before I take the plunge and order one! Thanks!

  3. Carol Iannelli says

    I have four of the knobs that hold the grille onto the fan!
    2 are round 1″ diameter
    2 are long with the emerson pryne written out with the logo in the middle

    I am selling these to anyone that is interested.

    Please contact me through my email address.

    Thanks
    Carol

    • pam kueber says

      No word. They said they would be back, but we have not heard… Watch ebay for other styles… they do come up, quite often.

  6. SA says

    Does someone have a number for the House of Fans? I used the one above but it has been disconnected. Thanks!

  7. RG says

    If you’re still looking for this part, they have it Built In Center LTE in San Jose. Just ask them for the “Nutone Grille 17707018” and they can look it up. They had it in-stock as of 6/3/2015.

    • pam kueber says

      Okay, but still not the same as a NOS Emerson-Pryne chrome grille! The newer Nutone grilles are kind of a satiny metal — I know, because I have one!

  8. Karin says

    I live in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. I just got off the phone with House of Fans. I spoke with Julie Wong in Shipping. She informed me that HoF won’t ship internationally. I told her I was willing to pay any and all shipping costs, but they declined. Is anyone able to help? I’d really love to have one of these grille covers. I’m really disappointed. Can anyone help? I would be willing to pay for the grille and any costs incurred shipping it, plus extra for the trouble.

  9. Joe Felice says

    First, House of Tile, now House of Fans? What’s next? Pretty soon, it will all be bye-bye.