An easy, although slightly costly, way to upgrade your garage is to install a new opener and motor. Even if yours seems to be in good repair, the new technology has made it easy to see why an upgrade is always a good idea. Newer models are quieter. They’re also more energy efficient. Plus, like everything else these days, most modern garage door systems include Wi-Fi and/or smartphone connectivity.
Why wouldn’t you want to upgrade? A better motor, a newer system, and plenty of futuristic tech features and add-ons-- it’s tempting. It’s also an investment that will give your home a little more value. But how do you choose the right motor when you know nothing about them?
We’ll take care of that. Here are 10 things everyone should know before buying a new garage door motor.
1. There are two types of residential garage door motors available
AC motors (alternating current) are probably the ones that people are most familiar with. These motors operate at the same speed for the duration of opening and closing the door. This can result in a little extra noise, but it is hardly noticeable to most people. DC motors run a direct current, and regulate speed by starting slowly, speeding up, and then slowing down as the door reaches the ground. This style is not as noisy, but both types perform well.
2. A garage door (properly installed and working) is designed to be lifted with one hand
Garage doors are heavy. For the sake of safety, they have been designed with a spring system that balances the weight of the door so that it feels like it is less than 10 pounds. Considering most garage doors weigh between 90 and 350 pounds, that’s quite a difference. This can be done with torsion or extension spring system, which will serve as the counterweight to balance the load. If you cannot easily lift your door with one hand, your motor is going to work harder so proper balance is a must.
Curious how you can determine whether your spring system is balanced as it should be? The first step is to close the garage door. Next, you want to disconnect the opener. At that point, pull the door up to about halfway from the floor and ceiling. Let go of it and see if it stays in that position without moving on its own. On the other hand, if it shoots open or falls rapidly to the ground, you have a garage door that is unbalanced. This means your spring system isn’t working the way it should be. If this is the case, you should immediately speak with on of our Midway Garage Doors garage door specialists to take care of the problem.
3. Speaking of balance….
You can test the balance of your garage door by releasing the red safety cord and manually opening the door. Leave it open about four feet and see if it moves at all. A little bouncing is probably not an issue, but if the door takes off in one direction or the other when you let go, that means you have an unbalanced door.
4. Garage door motors are meant to lift (and push) heavy loads
This is why there are sensors on modern door systems to keep them from closing if something is in the way. Despite your door feeling like it weighs only a few pounds, the motor force is actually enough to crush objects or people. If your sensors ever stop working, disengage the automatic opener and call a certified garage technician.
5. Motors come in different power capacities, or sizes
AC and DC motors both offer multiple options for the amount of force that they provide. In the case of AC motors, this is measured in horsepower and available in ⅓, ½, and ¾ HP. For DC motors, the force is measured in newtons. Available sizes include 500 and 700 newton models. Although they are slightly different, the two DC options roughly equate to the ½ and ¾ AC models.
6. Commercial garage door opener systems are available up to five horsepower
Commercial doors, for the most part, are usually larger and heavier than residential doors. Because of this, motors are available in standard sizes as well as optional size ranges up to four or five horsepower total. The average household opener has a ½ HP motor, which is sufficient for a single door. If you have a larger door or double door, you will want to upgrade to a ¾ HP motor for better performance.
7. Look at longevity, too
Aside from buying the correct size motor, you also need to consider the quality of the model that you choose. If you’re on a tight budget, a low-end model might do the job for now. If you’re making a long-term investment, choose a higher-end model that offers a lifespan of 15 years or more. There is a little bit of everything on the market, so no matter where your priorities lie, you can still find a reliable opener and a motor that will provide you with years of good use.
8. Speaking of budget, know what you’re paying for
You shouldn’t blindly buy a more expensive garage door motor just because it’s available. As with any major purchase, you need to know what you’re paying for. Find out what features or specifications make a model cost more than others before you make your final decision. Models that include adaptable features and optional accessories, such as smartphone connectivity, are going to be worth the higher cost, if that’s what you’re into.
9. Wi-Fi and smartphone connectivity come standard
We mentioned this already, but it deserves a little more explanation. All models of garage door openers on the market today include either built-in or optional Wi-Fi connectivity. This will allow you to connect the garage door to your phone through an app that monitors your door and allows you to control it no matter where you are.
10. Safety first, so leave it to the pros
If you haven’t already learned that garage doors are a big, dangerous job to take on, here’s your final warning. While there are some small repairs and routine maintenance tasks you can handle yourself, installing a new garage door opener needs to be done by a qualified technician. Garage door springs are loaded with thousands of pounds of pressure and can cause serious damage or injuries if they snap or aren’t removed properly.
Make sure that you choose a licensed garage door professional, like Hicklin Door Services, that can explain everything to you and help you make the best decision. That way, you know what you are paying for and you can be confident in your purchase.
How can we help?
Our team of professional technicians are ready to help you with garage door motors, whether you just have some questions or are ready to install a new opener system. Contact us today to learn about our line of garage door openers and let us help you find the perfect fit. We can work with your budget, no matter what that might be, and even deliver your quotation via email so that you can look it over on your time.
If you’re not sure of what you’re looking for, the image gallery at our showroom is a great place to get inspired. We also have a Design Centre where you can explore all of your options to find a new garage door that is fitting of your new opening system.
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