Harbor Breeze Elms

Deciding it was finally time to upgrade our outdated ceiling fans, I embarked on a quest to find the perfect model. After extensive research, I decided on the Harbor Breeze Elms – and let me tell you, I’m so glad I did! This fan checked off all my must-haves and then some. If you’re in the market for a new ceiling fan, keep reading to learn why I highly recommend the Harbor Breeze Elms.

When we moved into our home a few years ago, the existing ceiling fans were old and rickety. They didn’t provide much airflow, wobbled when running, and were just plain ugly. I wanted to replace them with something powerful, efficient, and aesthetically pleasing.

My husband and I decided to do our homework before choosing new ceiling fans. We knew this would be a purchase we lived with for years to come, so it was important to select the right brand and model. I dove into my research, scouring online reviews and comparing specs of countless options.

Key factors I considered included:

• Performance – I wanted a fan that moved a lot of air to properly cool our spaces. High airflow efficiency was a must.
• Noise level – No one wants to sleep or relax with a loudly whirring fan overhead. I looked for options advertised as ultra quiet.
• Style – With several ceiling fans needed throughout our home, I searched for a model that offered diverse design choices to complement each room’s decor.
• Features – Options like lighting, remote controls, and reversible motors appealed to me. As did quality construction that would hold up over time.
• Budget – With several fans to buy, affordability was also important. I wanted pleasing aesthetics without designer price tags.

After comparing consumer reviews, expert recommendations, and product specs, one ceiling fan line stood out from the rest: Harbor Breeze. Their Elms model boasted everything on my wish list, plus great feedback from existing customers.

I decided to take the plunge and purchase multiple Harbor Breeze Elms fans for our bedroom, kitchen, living room, and back patio. Now after using them for several months, I’m confident I made the absolute right choice. Here’s a detailed look at my experiences with this exceptional ceiling fan.

Why Choose the Harbor Breeze Elms? Key Benefits & Features

The Harbor Breeze Elms checked off all the boxes on my must-have list, starting with powerful performance. This fan uses an ultra-efficient motor to generate maximum airflow up to 5,199 CFM. The unique blade design also optimizes movement. I’ve found it effectively cools our spaces, making it more comfortable on hot days.

Despite the robust flow, operation remains whisper-quiet – no irritating hum or buzz. This makes it ideal for bedrooms or anywhere you don’t want bothersome background noise. My husband and I sleep much better with the gentle white noise of the Elms overhead.

With 13 different designs across 3 blade spans (44″, 50″ and 56″), I had ample style options to choose from. In our bedroom, I selected a sleek, contemporary fan with brushed nickel finish and ebony blades. For the patio, I went for a rustic barnwood look with bronze housing and wooden blades.

Conveniently, all Elms fans come with the same great features. The integrated 18W LED light is bright enough to illuminate a room, but still dimmable for ambiance. I really appreciate the handy remote control too. With just a click, I can turn the fan on/off, change speeds, dim the light, and more.

At around $100 per fan, the Elms proved a budget-friendly choice considering its outstanding performance and handy extras. I felt like I got an amazing value for the price. Much better than comparable designer brands that cost two or three times more!

Smooth Installation Process

I’ll admit I was a bit nervous to install ceiling fans on my own. But Harbor Breeze made the process pretty straightforward. Each Elms fan came with detailed instructions and all necessary hardware.

My husband and I decided to tackle the installation one weekend. We started with the bedroom fan since it was the easiest access.

Here are the general steps we followed – though be sure to consult your own product guide for specific directions:

1. Turn off power at the breaker. Safety first!
2. Remove the existing ceiling fan if you’re replacing an old one.
3. Mount the ceiling fan bracket using the included hardware. This secures it to a ceiling joist.
4. Install the downrod that connects the fan to the electrical box.
5. Attach the fan motor assembly to the downrod.
6. Connect all wiring, ensuring the wires match up correctly.
7. Attach the fan blades to the motor housing.
8. Install optional LED light kit.
9. Turn power back on and test operation using remote.

I won’t lie, it took time and patience. But we took it slow and were methodical. Within a few hours, our gorgeous new bedroom fan was installed and running beautifully!

We repeated the process in other rooms. Having done it once before, the subsequent installations went even more smoothly.

Top tip: Having a helper makes mounting the fan and connecting wires much easier. We were glad to work as a team.

Overall, the Harbor Breeze installation instructions were well-written and easy to follow. With minimal wiring experience, we were able to get these fans up and running without issue.

Performance That Impresses

Once installed, the Harbor Breeze Elms fans immediately impressed us with their performance. The powerful air movement was noticeable right away.

Without central air conditioning, these fans keep our home comfortable during hot, humid summer weather. The gentle breeze creates a cool wind chill effect that makes it feel several degrees cooler. Even on scorching days, the free air movement helps regulate the temperature.

We also appreciate how the fans improve air circulation. The ceiling mount spreads the airflow around the entire room. And the adjustable head tilts to target the wind just where you want it. Rotating in circles, the broad blades push stale air up and bring fresh air down.

Thanks to the reversible motor, we can optimize airflow as needed. In the summer, the downdraft mode pulls hot air upward to keep things cooler. Come winter, reversing the flow pushes cozy air downward to recirculate warmth.

At the highest speed, these fans really whip the air into motion. But the beauty is we can also dial it down to a gentle, relaxing breeze. The remote makes it easy to adjust airflow on the fly for personalized comfort and ambiance.

With outstanding CFM ratings up to 5,199, the Elms delivers exactly the robust cooling power I hoped for. We couldn’t be more satisfied with the performance.

Whisper-Quiet Operation for Peaceful Environments

One of my must-have features for a new ceiling fan was quiet operation. I couldn’t stand the loud whirring and clicking of our old rickety models. The relaxing environment I envisioned just wasn’t possible with those disruptive noises overhead.

So I was thrilled to discover the Harbor Breeze Elms produces only a gentle hum at the lowest speed settings. At higher speeds, the airflow noise increases slightly but remains unobtrusive. I’d describe it as a soothing white noise, perfect for lulling you to sleep.

In fact, my husband and I both sleep better with this fan running in our bedroom. The background drone blocks out other nighttime sounds like traffic or neighbors. Almost like having your own white noise machine overhead!

The quiet performance also makes the Elms well-suited to living areas or offices. It blends into the background, allowing for relaxing ambiance or uninterrupted concentration. No one wants to hear repetitive clicking and whirring while trying to read or have a conversation.

I credit the quiet operation to the fan’s quality construction. The hardware is solid and sturdy with no rattling or vibrating. The streamlined blades seamlessly slice through the air. And the balanced DC motor rotates smoothly and efficiently.

For peaceful, unobtrusive operation, the whisper-quiet Harbor Breeze Elms really hits the mark. The only noise you’ll hear is the refreshing swoosh of the breeze.

Attractive Styles to Complement Any Decor

With its varied design options, the Harbor Breeze Elms allowed me to select fans tailored each room’s aesthetic. Although I purchased the same model, the look varies throughout my home.

The traditional bronze fan in the living room features wooden blades and vintage-style filament bulbs. This complements the farmhouse decor in that space.

The coastal vibe of our guest bedroom called for a nautical inspired fan. The white, galvanized steel housing pairs nicely with the pale blue walls and navy accents.

My husband favored the industrial look of the gun metal finish model for his man cave basement. The sleek metal paired with black blades meshes well with the modern leather furniture.

And for our bedroom, I chose a contemporary brushed nickel fan with elegant walnut blades. This matches the clean, modern lines of our tufted headboard and minimalist decor.

With 3 housing finishes, over 10 blade options, and various light kits, the combinations are endless. I could mix and match to create unique palettes. There’s truly an Elms style to suit any taste and aesthetic.

While stylish, these fans still maintain a level of simplicity. No flashy embellishments or overly ornate details. Just classic, timeless looks to stand the test of time. I never feel like the fans command too much attention or appear gaudy.

Affordable yet still attractive, the Elms designs make a graceful statement without screaming “look at me!” Overall, an excellent balance of form and function.

Convenient & Customizable Features

The convenience features of the Harbor Breeze Elms also made it rise above other options during my research.

For one, I appreciate the integrated 18W LED light included with each fan. This removes the need for a separate ceiling light. The brightness is adjustable via remote or pull chain, so we can create exactly the right ambiance.

Speaking of the remote control, that’s been a game changer! With the touch of a button, I can turn the entire fan on/off or just operate the light independently. The remote lets me cycle through the speeds from a comfortable position in bed or on the couch.

So handy not to have to disrupt my coziness to pull the chain each time I want to adjust airflow. My old fans didn’t have remotes, so this feels like a luxury!

I also love the reversible motor that allows switching between downdraft and updraft modes. As I mentioned, optimizing the direction helps maintain comfort in winter and summer. Again, the remote makes it easy to reverse the airflow whenever needed.

Other appreciated extras include the pull chain second option for on/off/speed control. This ensures operation even if the remote dies. There’s also a handy ON/OFF slide switch right on the motor housing.

With the Elms, I can choose between wall control, remote, pull chain, or directly on the fan. This flexibility and customization makes it easy to operate the fan exactly how I prefer.

Energy Efficiency & Cost Savings

Investing in these new Harbor Breeze ceiling fans has already paid dividends in energy savings. Here’s how the Elms provide efficiency and cost benefits:

• Powerful airflow – By moving air more effectively, the fan allows me to set the thermostat a few degrees higher in summer. This reduces reliance on expensive air conditioning.
• LED lighting – The integrated LEDs use around 85% less energy than traditional bulbs. This saves electricity and expense over time.
• Reversible modes – Adjusting the direction between updraft and downdraft optimizes heating and cooling use cases.
• Well-built motor – The fan’s sturdy motor should provide decades of reliable performance. This avoids the need for disruptive replacements.
• Variable speeds – The ability to adjust RPMs means using the minimal power needed for any given moment.
• Timer options – Some models include timers to automatically shut off after a set duration. This prevents fans running unnecessarily.
• Smart controls – Smart options allow integrating ceiling fans with home automation systems and scheduling.

Through maximized efficiency, my Harbor Breeze Elms fans keep energy use and bills in check. While upfront cost was affordable, I’ll continue reaping money-saving benefits down the road.

Simple Maintenance Keeps Fans Running Smoothly

To keep my ceiling fans operating optimally for years to come, I plan to perform simple periodic maintenance. Here are my tips for easy Elms upkeep:

• Wipe blades with a dust cloth to remove any built up dust. This prevents wobbling and imbalance over time.
• Check hardware connections occasionally and tighten anything loose. This avoids rattling noises.
• Use a vacuum extension to clean dust and debris from vents to maintain airflow.
• Spray fan housing and blades with a mild soap and water solution. Wipe gently with a microfiber cloth.
• Apply a small amount of motor oil to the housing joints if they become squeaky.
• Replace spent LED bulbs as needed to maintain bright illumination.
• Test the remote battery and replace annually or when low. Consider keeping spare AAA batteries.
• Run fans on highest setting monthly to keep components lubricated.

With those simple tasks performed twice yearly or as needed, the Elms fans should keep running like new. I’m vigilant about upkeep to safeguard my investment and prevent issues.

Satisfying Warranty Provides Peace of Mind

One last thing that gave me confidence in choosing Harbor Breeze was the included limited lifetime warranty. This covers the motor for defects in workmanship and materials.

Other components have varying coverage periods. For example, the blade arms and light kits are warranted for 2 years after purchase. Remote controls for only 1 year.

While limitations apply, I appreciate having assurance that any manufacturing issues will be handled. Knowing the company stands behind their products gives me peace of mind.

If problems arise during the warranty period, Harbor Breeze pledges to repair or replace the defective parts. All I need to do is contact their customer support team for troubleshooting.

Of course, I hope repairs aren’t needed. But the included protection provides a safety net nonetheless. For consumers like me, a solid manufacturer’s warranty makes a purchase feel less risky.

After enjoying problem-free operation thus far, I have total confidence in the construction quality and craftsmanship. But having the warranty coverage provides extra reassurance.

Final Impressions: An Exceptional Choice!

In the end, I absolutely made the right decision choosing Harbor Breeze Elms ceiling fans for my home. After comparing numerous options on the market, the Elms proved the winning combination of performance, features, style, and value.

Months later, these fans continue exceeding my expectations. The whole-house cooling, quiet operation, attractive styles, handy extras, and energy efficiency bring comfort and convenience daily.

Other household members love the fans too. My husband is sleeping better and my daughter enjoys controlling “her” fan via remote. Even guests comment on how our home feels pleasantly breezy.

While mom to three kids and managing a busy household, I rarely take time just for me. But lately I’ve found myself relaxing in the living room, soaking in the serenity of my new Elms fan humming overhead. A well-deserved break I intend to make a new habit!

If you’re considering the Harbor Breeze Elms, I can’t recommend them highly enough. In my experience, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better performing or better value ceiling fan. The next time you’re looking to upgrade, I suggest putting this exceptional model at the top of your list.