Chances are, you don’t think of your electric garage door opener as a high-tech gadget, but it could offer a great deal of functionality. One of the key reasons for an upgrade to a new opener is to begin taking advantage of those advancements.
They include everything from quiet function to interaction with smartphones. And if this all confuses you, we are here to help you get some clarity and make informed buying decisions.
Garage door opener basics
We might not think of it, but our garage doors are often the most common point of entry into our homes. That means it is often the hardest working machine in the building, tasked with lifting and closing that door many times daily. It saves us from hoisting and closing the door and makes life easier.
To meet that purpose, though, a garage door has to be correctly balanced using either a torsion or extension spring system. Each system acts as a counterweight to the door’s weight, which is usually between 90 to 350 lb. or 40 to 160 kilos. When balanced, though most doors feel as if they weigh 8 to 10 lb. or 3 to 4 kilos, which almost anyone can safely and easily lift.
What is so impressive about the standard garage door opener is that it can lift far heavier loads. For example, they can often hoist up to 225 lb. (100 kilos), and push that same weight downward.
So, they have a lot of brute strength, and if there issues with the safety systems, people or objects can easily face harm. This makes balancing them crucial, and it is straightforward to see if your door is currently balanced.
You need only to close the garage door and disconnect it from the opener. Then, attempt to lift the door on your own – but only about halfway. When released, it should remain open and not move. Should it fall back down or whip open all of the way, there is an issue with balance, and you’ll need to arrange for service.
We recommend you to contact us at Environmental Door immediately to remedy this potentially dangerous situation.
Terminology for garage door openers
Now that you understand how the balance in the door works, it is time to dig into the more technical details. We are going to review the terminology your garage door experts will use, and it is beneficial if you speak the same language.
When speaking about most electronic gadgets, you will hear experts mention horsepower, abbreviated as HP. You will also hear them talk of electrical currents. There are two types of electrical current used for garage door openers:
- DC (direct current)
- AC (alternating current)
Direct current is not associated with HP, though. It is described in newton force (N), while AC is described with HP.
This is really the only significant difference between them except for one other set of variations:
- DC motors start slowly, increase in speed, and then reduce their speed before stopping
- AC-type motors remain at the same speed
Which is best? Neither, because they both perform the same (though DC is known for being quieter in operation).
Now, about those motor sizes
You’re becoming a real expert in garage door openers, by now! That means it is time to learn about the sizes available in residential options.
As a comparison of what such figures mean, the 500 N motor and the½ HP motor will perform similarly, while the 700 N and ¾ HP are alike. The most common size in residential garage door openers are those of ½ HP or 500 N.
Can larger motor sizes be used for residential purposes? Yes, but it is a bit of overkill. After all, commercial and industrial garage doors are often much more substantial and used with far more frequency. They require motors sized in the ½ HP to 4, or even 5 HP range.
Door sizes, such as the one we just mentioned above, will have to factor into your decision-making process. You will want to keep these details in mind:
- Single doors commonly sized 9 x 7 ft. (2.7 x 2.1 m), require a ½ hp or 500 n motor
- Double garage doors, commonly sized 16 x 7 ft. (4.9 x 2.1 m), require a ¾ hp or 700 n motor
- Solid wood doors typically do best with a ¾ hp or 700 n motor
Interestingly, many doors are “rated” in terms of expected motor life. You will have options like seven to 15 years from which to choose, and as you might have guessed longer life often comes with a higher price. Yet, that is not always true, and it is best to do research and gather the facts.
Lastly, little extras and accessories affect the choices. You will find such choices as remote switches to door monitors, and each will increase the cost. The lower priced options are usually without all the accessories, but and it is best to get detailed explanation about options before choosing.
Keep connected?
Though you have a lot of facts and details to keep in mind as you make your way through choosing a new garage door opener, there is still a bit more to know. It can be summed up in a word: connectivity. Most door openers on the market, regardless of size, have Wi-Fi connectivity or can be adapted to provide it. Should you get it? Think of the benefits of controlling the door from anywhere, monitoring its use, and more. Chances are, you’ll say yes.
Talk with one of our professional at Environmental Door to have all of these different options explained to you. Even if it is not essential at this time, knowing such functions are available can be useful.
A last minute safety tip
You also want to think about safety when you are choosing whether or not to replace the garage door opener, and which model to select. The choices ensure safety and keep the system balanced.
Do you know if your system is balanced now? Here is a quick and easy procedure to evaluate your door:
- Close the door and disengage it from the system by pulling on the red emergency release cord.
- Open the door using the lift handle located on the bottom or 2nd from the bottom section. Lift with your knees!
- Stop opening at about 4 ft. (1.2 m) from the ground and release your grip. The door should remain at this height.
- If all is well, simply, reengage your door opener by backing up the fixture that pulls the door and reconnect the system by operating the door from your remote.
- If all is NOT well, get in touch with a Environmental Door technician specialized in garage door systems.
Ready to choose?
If your mind is made up contact us at 616-453-0164. We are always happy to speak with you about our complete selection of electric garage door openers. We’ll guide you in finding the system that suited to your needs and your budget, and can always send a quotation by email.
Paying a visit to the showroom is also excellent because you can use our Design Centre to see what different options look like on your property, or use the image gallery to find lots of inspiration.
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