Harbor Breeze are a great ceiling fan to have for the indoors as they are very good at moving large volumes of air around your home. Especially crucial for those hot summers!
If you are looking for easy installation advice, tips and guides then please keep reading.
There are a few different models some of which are depicted below. Make sure you have the right model when installing and also check our manuals page for a downloadable manual of your model.
What Size Ceiling Fan Do You Need?
As a rule of thumb you should consider the following size ceiling fan depending on room size:
- Use a 36-inch diameter ceiling fan if the largest room dimension is 12 feet or less.
- Use a 42-inch diameter ceiling fan if the largest room dimension is 12 feet to 15 feet.
- Use a 52-inch diameter ceiling fan if the largest room dimension is 15 feet to 18 feet.
Prepare to Install Your Harbor Breeze Ceiling Fan
To ensure that your fan is securely mounted to the ceiling and for your safety during installation, read all of the instructions packed with your fan.
Since ceiling fans are usually used to replace existing light fixtures, the wiring to the fan should already be complete. Installation isn’t difficult and only requires that you pay attention to the instructions.
If additional wiring must be done to install your fan and you aren’t familiar with wiring, consult a professional electrician. All wiring must conform to local and national codes.
When working with electricity always:
- Turn OFF electricity at the main fuse box (or circuit box) that controls the power to the fixture or the room you’re working on.
- Test the wires to ensure the power is OFF.
- Place the wall switch in the OFF position.
- All electrical connections must be in agreement with local codes. Check with local authorities to see if a permit is required.
- If in doubt, consult a qualified electrician.
- Do not use bulbs with wattage greater than specified for this fixture (if applicable).
A Word of Caution:
To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, don’t use the fan with any solid-state speed-control device or variable speed switch unless it’s specifically designed for use with a ceiling fan.
Don’t mount the ceiling fan to a plastic electrical box. Use a securely-fastened metal box.
Refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for safety, warning and caution information.
Options for Mounting Your Harbor Breeze Ceiling Fan
Your Harbor Breeze Ceiling Fans blades must be mounted at least 7 feet above the floor.
For maximum efficiency, they shouldn’t have any obstruction within 24 inches of the blade tips.
An appropriate junction or outlet box securely attached to the building structure is required. Replace the old box with one labelled as approved for ceiling fans or ceiling-suspended paddle fan installation.
The box and its support must be able to support the moving weight of the fan. Use the installation hardware recommended by the junction box manufacturer.
Fans over 35 pounds, with or without accessories, require additional support independent of the outlet box. If you require any additional parts or replacement parts then please check our article: Harbor Breeze Replacement Parts: Ceiling Fans Remotes & More
Secure the new box to a brace between ceiling joists. If there isn’t a 2-by-4 wood brace between the joists but you have access to the framing through the attic, add a brace.
Otherwise, install an expandable metal ceiling-fan hanger bar. These may be positioned either from the attic or from below the ceiling, through the rough opening. Secure the box to the bracket with a U-bolt.
Installing the Mounting Bracket for Your Harbor Breeze Ceiling Fan
A properly installed mounting bracket ensures a safe and efficient ceiling fan. Here are the steps on how to install it correctly:
Step 1: Remove Your Harbor Breeze Fan Motor Screws
Remove the fan motor screws. These screws will be used later to secure the blade arms to the motor.
Step 2: Remove Mounting Bracket
Remove the mounting bracket from the fan canopy.
Step 3: Securing Mounting Bracket to Ceiling Electrical Box
Secure the mounting bracket to the ceiling electrical box with mounting screws and lock washers.
If the fan comes with a J-hook, install the mounting bracket with the J-hook toward the floor. The hook will support the weight of the fan motor housing for a hands-free wiring installation.
Step 4: Electrical Wires
Pull the electrical wires through the center hole of the mounting bracket.
Step 5: Decide on Close Mount or Downrod Installation
At this point, if you have a fan with a three-position mount, you’ll need to decide whether to use a close-mount (flushmount) or downrod installation. (Downrod installations are used for both standard and angled applications.)
Installing a Downrod for Your Fan
A downrod allows the fan to be hung from high ceilings and are available in various lengths to accommodate your home’s architecture.
Step 1: Install Downrod
Install the downrod into the mount with the ball end toward the ceiling.
Step 2: Electrical Wiring
Thread the lead wires from the motor (black, white and blue) through both the canopy and downrod. Take extra care not to pull on the electrical wires.
Step 3: Inserting Downrod into Collar Yoke
Insert the downrod into the collar yoke and rotate until the holes match. Insert the connector pin through the holes, and secure with a cotter pin. Be careful not to damage or cut the fan wires.
Bend the two legs of the cotter pin to ensure that the connector pin doesn’t slip out.
Step 4: Affixing Downrod to Motor Assembly
Affix the hanger and downrod to the motor assembly by tightening the set screw on the side of the downrod. Some fans have two set screws, while others have lock nuts for the set screws.
Step 5: Hanger Bracket
Insert the ball into the hanger bracket. The tab opposite the hanger bracket opening should fit into the slot on the ball. Make the appropriate wire connections.
Step 6: Attaching Canopy
After the connections are made and the wires are carefully tucked into the outlet box, make sure the tab in the bottom of the hanger bracket is seated in the groove of the hanger ball. Slide the canopy up the hanger bracket and permanently attach it with the supplied screws.
If you are wanting more information then please download the Harbor Breeze Ceiling Fan Manual.
Flush Mount Harbor Breeze Ceiling Fan Installation
Some fans allow mounting without the use of a downrod. This type of mount places the fan closer to the ceiling.
Step 1: Removing Screws
Remove the larger screws and lock washers from the top of the decorative fan motor housing.
Step 2: Securing Canopy
Secure the canopy to the housing using the same screws.
Step 3: Hanging Ceiling Fan
Hang the fan on the J-hook (if applicable) by using one of the holes at the top of the canopy.
Step 4: Wire Connections
Make the appropriate wire connections. Determine the hot and common wires by color: black is hot for the fan; blue is hot for the light kit; white is common for the fan and the light kit and green is ground.
In all cases, make sure that all exposed wiring is secured inside the wire connectors. Once the wiring is complete, gently push the wires into the electrical box.
After the connections are made and the wires are carefully tucked into the outlet box, remove the canopy from the J-hook on the mounting plate.
Step 5: Permanently Attach Canopy
Permanently attach the canopy to the mounting plate with the provided screws.
Attaching Your Harbor Breeze Ceiling Fan Blades
Mount each blade bracket to a fan blade using the screws and washers supplied. Start all screws before tightening, then tighten each.
Repeat for the remaining blades. Follow the same process to mount each blade/bracket assembly to the fan.
Make sure all screws are tightened securely.
To find out what accessories are available check out the post: Harbor Breeze Ceiling Fans & Accessories which covers most customizable options
Adding a Light Kit to Your Ceiling Fan in 5 Easy Steps
If your fan comes with a light kit, it may already be wired and in place, requiring only that you install the bulbs and globes. In some instances, however, you may need to wire the light kit yourself.
If you are wanting to install a light kit for a Hampton Bay Ceiling Fan then please read our article: How To Install A Hampton Bay Ceiling Fan Light Kit
Step 1: Remove Ceiling Fan Cover Plate
Remove the switch-housing cover plate from the fan.
Step 2: Remove Plug
Remove the plug from the center of the cover plate.
Step 3: Feed Light Kit Wiring
Feed the light kit wires (black and white) through the holes in the cover plate, and screw the plate tightly to the light kit to prevent it from vibrating loose.
Step 4: Electrical Wiring for Light Kit
Locate two wires within the switch housing labeled for light (white and blue). Connect them to the light kit wires with wire connectors — white to white and blue to black.
Secure the connections with electrical tape to prevent the wire connectors from vibrating loose during operation.
Step 5: Attach Light Kit to Housing
Carefully push the wires back into the switch housing, and attach the light kit to the switch housing with the provided screws.
If you are having difficulty following these instructions, please check your manual or consult a professional electrician.
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