A downrod is a required part of the ceiling fan. With most Harbor Breeze ceiling fan purchases, the downrod helps to keep the fan attached to the ceiling. The downrod absorbs the motion of the fan, keeping it centered and balanced while it does it’s job. However, you don’t necessarily have to use a fan with a downrod – you could use a low profile fan or hugger fan, mentioned below.
The only time in which you won’t haveĀ downrod, is when you are installing a hugger fan. A hugger Harbor Breeze (also called a low profile fan) mounts directly to the ceiling. The reason you may use a hugger fan, is when you don’t have enough clearance from the ceiling. If you have a low ceiling, you may want to consider a hugger instead of a standard downrod mounted fan.

Downrods come in the following sizes:
- 6 inch
- 12 inch
- 24 inch
- 36 inch
You can also find downrod finishes in the following finishes:
- Antique Brass
- Brushed Nickel
- Aged Iron
Are ceiling fan downrods universal – or interchangeable?
This is a great question that we get asked often. It would be extremely helpful at times if a downrod from one fan could be used with another fan. The answer to this question, is that it’s more likely for a downrod to be interchangeable if it’s the same manufacturer. Therefore, if you are using the downrod from one Harbor Breeze fan with another Harbor Breeze fan, it’s more likely to be compatible. This is the same with other brands also. With that being said, you’ll need to keep the decor of the downrod and the fan in mind when you work on changing them out.
What size downrod do I need for my fan?
The first thing to know is that your fan needs to be at least seven feet off the ground – that is part of building bylaws. Sizes of downrods start at 3 and a half to 4 and a half inch. An 8 foot ceiling with one of the above mentioned downrods will ensure your ceiling fan runs 7 feet from the ground, which is up to code.