Updating or replacing your electric electric garage door opener can be a great investment. Trying to figure out how to choose the right opener, however, could be a bit more of a challenge. Not only are there different size motors and styles of opening systems, but now they include technological features like Wi‑Fi and smartphone connectivity-- how can you possibly know what you need?
Don’t worry, because you’ll find all the answers that you need right here. We can’t tell you which garage door opener to buy, but we can certainly dig deeper into garage door motors and the options that are available.
Understanding the garage door system
The primary function of an electric opener is to make life simpler and provide convenience in your home. It saves you from cleaning ice and snow off of your car, and keeps you dry even when you arrive home during a thunderstorm. It also saves you the trouble of parking, getting out, opening the door manually, and then returning to your car to pull in and park. With just the push of a button (or the use of a voice command), you can open and close your garage at will.
Despite the weight of the average garage door (which ranges from 90 to 350 pounds), both an electric opener and a single hand should be able to open and close the garage door effortlessly. How does this happen?
- The garage door has an extension or torsion spring system that provides a counterbalance for the dead weight of the door. If the springs are out of balance, the door will not open or close properly.
- With properly balanced springs, the heavy garage door now feels as though it weighs less than 10 pounds to both the average person and the electric motor that is pulling the door.
What if my door seems unbalanced?
If you can’t easily lift the door manually with one hand, it probably is out of balance. You can use the red emergency cord to disengage the opener and open the door by hand. Leave it about halfway open and let go. What happens next?
If nothing happens, your door is balanced.
If the door wants to slide the rest of the way open or fall down when you let go, it is out of balance.
In the latter situation, you’ll need to contact a GARAGA door technician for assistance. Never try to fix things yourself, as improper handling of the springs on a garage door can lead to serious injury or death.
Motor terminology 101
The motor is perhaps the most important part of the garage door system. Without the proper motor, a garage door will not function at its best capacity. Before we get into too many details, however, let’s give you some basic definitions to keep in mind.
- AC motors: These motors use alternating current, measured in horsepower (HP), to move the door up and down. These motors operate at a single speed during the entire opening and closing process, which can make their operation noisier.
- DC motors: Operating on direct current, DC motors are quieter because they are able to slowly begin and end the opening process. The force of this type of motor is measured in newtons.
There aren’t many differences between these two motor types when it comes to performance. It’s just that their power is measured differently, and DC motors offer slightly quieter operation. AC motors are available in horsepower ranges of ⅓, ½, and ¾ HP. DC motors are available with 500 newtons or 700 newtons.
For the sake of comparison, 500 N motors are equivalent to ½ HP and 700 N motors are equivalent to ¾ HP.
Fun fact: Due to their much larger door sizes, industrial and commercial applications offer motors that go all the way up to 5 HP.
Ok, but what motor should I get?
In the residential market, the 500 N and ½ HP garage door motors are the most popular option. That doesn’t mean you should just buy one of these, though. You have to think about a few things first.
For starters, how big is your garage door? Certain motors are designed for certain size doors. A double garage door that is over 16 feet wide, for example, is going to need a ¾ HP motor. A small, single door that is less than 10 feet wide will do fine with a ½ HP motor (or 500 N, if you choose DC). Contact Middlesex Door Systems, one of our garage door technicians can ensure that you get the right size.
Another factor in your decision is the longevity and quality of the opener and motor that you choose. Are you just looking for a quick, affordable upgrade? Do you want a garage door system that you won’t have to replace before you sell in 10 or 15 years? What do you want from your door? Just remember that more expensive doesn’t always mean better. Find out what you’re getting for your money before you make a decision.
Don’t decide just yet. There’s one more thing to consider: accessories. Do you want remote switches, smartphone monitors, or other premium features? These won’t be available on basic models but can be found on the more expensive models. Again, though, don’t just buy it because it’s more expensive. Ask why it costs more and have someone explain your options in detail.
Smartphone and other tech upgrades
The market is rich with garage door openers that include built-in Wi-Fi connectivity. There are even a number of lower-end models that offer optional connectivity or adapter kits, making it easy to upgrade your new system no matter what your budget might be. With Wi-Fi, you can manage and monitor your garage door from your phone, whether you’re around the corner or halfway around the world.
When you meet with a Middlesex Door Systems garage door technician, you’ll have all of the details of these options explained so that you understand what you are getting. The tech features might not seem like a big deal, but they’re nice to have and might come in handy down the road. Even just knowing that you have the option to upgrade with accessories can be enticing.
Let’s recap: garage door safety
It’s easy to make sure that your door is well-balanced. You need to check this occasionally for your own safety and peace of mind. Remember, you should be able to effortlessly lift the door with one hand.
You can investigate any issues with just a few steps:
- Pull the release cord to disengage the automatic garage motor.
- Manually lift the door. Leave it about four feet off the ground.
- Let go of the door and see what happens. If it goes up or down significantly, you need to call the specialized techs at GARAGA. If it stays where you put it, you can reengage the door system.
Have more questions about your garage door motor?
Contact us at 1-800-696-1926 to discuss your garage door opener and how we can help. We’d be happy to offer you any advice we have and assist you in finding a new garage door system within your price range. For your convenience, we’ll email you a quote that you can review before making a decision.
In a little more of a hurry? Come down to our showroom and check out what we have to offer. If you’re thinking of a full upgrade, we’ve got plenty of great garage doors, too. You can find ideas in our image gallery, or use the Design Centre to create a custom look for your home.
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