How to Install a Harbor Breeze Ceiling Fan?

Harbor Breeze ceiling fans have become the best indoor as well as outdoor ceiling fans with affordable prices that provide maximum airflow, and lower energy bills. These ceiling fans blow cold as well as hot air according to the season. If you bought a ceiling fan from Harbor Breeze and need installation tips and advice, then in this article I’ll give you the essential tips and guides, so keep reading this article. 

The main reason behind the success of the Harbor Breeze ceiling fan relies on its uncomplicated design which makes it easy to install the fans. Installing a ceiling fan is not too difficult nor too easy, so if you’ve some basic knowledge about electrical work then this guide will help you install the fan yourself, but, if you don’t have the electrical know-how then I would suggest you call an electrician to carry out the installation process. 

You should also look at the manuals that come with the ceiling fan for the installation tips and guides because the installation process is not general, some of the ceiling fan models have been designed to be installed in different ways. However, in this guide, I’ve put the steps that will cover most of the Harbor Breeze ceiling fan model installation (you can compare the guide with the fan’s manual too to be sure). Let’s start the installation tips and guides with the things that you have to make sure of before installing the ceiling fan and then the installation guide for downrod mount:

Size of The Ceiling Fan

First of all, you should know what size ceiling fan will fit depending on the space area. Mostly the following measurements are followed by the electricians:

Guiding Table to Select the Right Size for The Ceiling Fan

Downrod’s length

Choosing the best downrod length ceiling fan is also necessary to know, the ideal measurements are:

Guiding Table to Select Ceiling Fan Downrod’s length

Options for Mounting Your Harbor Breeze Ceiling Fan

As you can see from the table above, the Harbor Breeze ceiling fans can be mounted on the ceiling above 6 feet. If your space’s ceiling is less than 6 feet or less then you have to buy a ceiling fan that can be flush mounted(without downrod installation). If your ceiling space is angled or sloped, then be sure to buy a ceiling fan that can be angle-mounted. And, for the ceilings above 6 feet, you can downrod mount your ceiling fan and select the downrod’s length as I guided in the table above. 

Preparation to Install Your Harbor Breeze Ceiling Fan

Start with reading all the instructions that come with the ceiling fan’s packaging, this will help you to install the fan safely. As you know, ceiling fans are basically used to update or replace the existing lightning fixture, the wiring should be already complete. If there’s a need for additional wiring to install the ceiling fan and you don’t know how to do it, then call an electrician to do this work. This is necessary because all the wiring must be done according to local and national codes. And remember, when you are working with electricity, you need to be mindful that:

• Read the manufacturer’s instructions for safety, warnings, and cautions.
• Electricity is turned off from the main circuit board that provides the power to the lighting fixture of your home.
• Test the power to the wires using a voltage tester and make sure that the power supply is off.
• Also don’t forget to place the wall switch in the off position.
• Never use a plastic electrical box to mount the ceiling fan, instead use a securely-fastened metal box.
• If the bulbs for the light kit aren’t included in the packaging then buy a bulb that doesn’t exceed the specified wattage.
• All electrical connections must conform with local codes and check with local authorities to see if some permission is required.
• To reduce the risks of fire or electric shock, never use the fan with any solid-state speed-control device or variable speed switch if it is not specifically designed for use with a ceiling fan.

Tools You’ll Need

No task can be completed without a wholesome set of tools and equipment. Similarly, to install a harbor breeze ceiling fan, you will need the following tools:

• Ceiling Fan Kit
• Ladder
• Safety Glasses
• Screw Driver
• Pliers
• Driller
• Wire Connectors
• VoltageTester

An outlet box securely attached to the building structure is needed. Replace the old box with one that is specifically approved for installing ceiling fans or hanging paddle fans. It’s very important that the box and its support must be able to handle the moving weight of the fan. You should use the installation hardware that is recommended by the junction box manufacturer.

Fans that weigh over 35 pounds, whether it’s with or without accessories, require additional support independent of the outlet box. In that case, you will need to buy it separately. To install the new box, attach it to a brace located between the ceiling joists.

If there isn’t a wooden brace measuring 2-by-4 inches between the joists, but you can access the framing from the attic, then add a brace. You can also use an expandable metal hanger bar designed for ceiling fans. These hanger bars can be positioned either from the attic or from beneath the ceiling through the rough opening. Make sure to secure the box to the bracket using a U-bolt.

Installation of the Harbor Breeze Ceiling Fan (Downrod Mount)

Let’s start the stepwise installation process of the Harbor breeze ceiling fan with a downrod mount installation method: 

Step 1: Remove the old fan

• Start by removing the light kit and fan blades from the old fan.
• Detach the mounting bracket from the fan canopy.
• Remove the wiring cover plate from the junction box.
• Unscrew and remove the old ceiling fan.

Step 2: Identification of Wires

The very first step in installing a new ceiling fan is to identify the wires. There are three wires inside the electrical box: the black wire, the white wire, and the green wire;

• The black wire is the hot wire
• The white wire is the neutral wire
• The green wire is the ground wire

To identify which wires are which, use a circuit tester or multimeter to test for continuity. The black wire will always be the hot wire, and the green wire will always be the ground wire. The white wire may be either the neutral wire or the ground wire, depending on the type of electrical box.

If you are unsure which wire is which, ask an electrician as it’s unsafe to install a ceiling fan without proper knowledge of electrical wiring.

Step 3: Ceiling Fan Assembly And Installation

After removing the old fan and identifying the wires, now you can start the assembly and installation process of the new ceiling fan:

Attaching Mounting Bracket:

• Attach the mounting bracket to the electrical box on the ceiling with mounting screws and lock washers.
• If the fan includes a J-hook, install the mounting bracket with the J-hook facing toward the floor. The J-hook is what will support the weight of the fan motor housing.
• Pull out the electrical wires through the center hole of the mounting bracket.

Installing a Downrod for Your Fan:

• Put the downrod into the mounting bracket with the ball end facing toward the ceiling.
• Pass the motor’s lead wires (black, white, and blue wires) through both the canopy and downrod but don’t attempt to pull on the electrical wires.
• Slide the downrod into the collar yoke and rotate it until the holes align. 
• Insert the connector pin through the aligned holes and secure it using a cotter pin.
• Take care to avoid any harm to the fan wires. 
• Bend the ends of the cotter pin to prevent the connector pin from slipping out.
• Connect the hanger and downrod to the motor assembly by tightening the set screw or lock nut(whatever’s in the packaging) located on the side of the downrod. 
• Put the ball into the hanger bracket. Make sure that the tab opposite the hanger bracket opening should fit into the slot on the ball. After that make the wiring connections properly.
• After you’re done making the connections and tucking the wires carefully into the outlet box, make sure the tab at the base of the hanger bracket fits properly into the groove on the hanger ball. 
• Slide the canopy up the hanger bracket and then permanently attach it with the screws included in the packaging.

Attaching Your Harbor Breeze Ceiling Fan Blades:

• Attach the blade arms to each of the fan blades by using the screws and washers included, then tighten these screws.
• After attaching the blade arms and blades, secure them to the mounting bracket(motor assembly) of the fan.

Adding a Light Kit to Your Ceiling Fan (If Included):

Some Harbor Breeze ceiling fan models have pre-installed light kits, meaning you don’t need to install it separately after the fan’s installation. But if there’s a need to install the light kit later on, then follow the easy steps:

• Take off the switch housing from the center of the cover plate and disconnect the plug.
• Thread the wires (black and white) of the light kit through the holes in the cover plate, and screw the plate tightly to the light kit to prevent it from vibrating loose.
• Identify the two wires within the switch housing that are designed for the light (colored white and blue). Attach the white wire to the white one and blue to the blue one using the wire connectors.
• Use electrical tape to secure the connections to prevent the wire connectors from getting loose due to vibrations when the fan is operating.
• With care, push the wires back into the switch housing, and attach the light kit to the switch housing with the screws provided.

Wrapping Up

Installing a ceiling fan is never an easy task, but I’m hoping this stepwise guide will help you a lot. I’ll advise you to have someone with you to help you. And again be sure to follow all the safety considerations I’ve mentioned and if you don’t feel comfortable installing the ceiling fan then consult an electrician.