Are you finally thinking about making the leap and upgrading that electric garage door opener? Wouldn’t it be nice to have one that is modern and that doesn’t make such a terrible noise? When you start to look at some of the great modern advances that are available with garage door openers, such as being able to use them through your smartphone, the idea of getting a new opener is even more intriguing.
You probably have quite a few questions and you aren’t sure what you will need. Fortunately, this post will be able to help you out a bit.
Start with the basics
The first thing that you will have to do is think about just what it is that the garage door opener does in the first place. Most people do not think about their garage door opener at all. As long as everything is working properly, thoughts of the door and opener just fade into the distance.
In order for the garage door opener to work correctly, the door needs to be properly balanced. It will use a torsion or extension spring system which works as the counterweight for the door’s weight. Most of the time a garage door will weigh between 90 lbs. and 350 lbs. If the door is correctly balanced, the door should only feel as if it weighs between eight and 10 lbs. It should have an effective weight that is easy enough to open and close with one hand.
Are you worried that your spring system might not be properly balanced? The easiest way to find out is to disconnect the opener when the door is closed. Then, you will manually open the door to about the halfway mark. If it is balanced properly, it should stay in that position. If it goes all the way up or all the way down, it is not balanced. This means you need to get in touch with an expert from B & M Garage Door Inc to take care of the matter right away.
Important terms to know
In order to have a better understanding of motors for the garage door opener, it is a good idea to take the time to learn a few basic terms. One that you are probably familiar with is HP, or hp, which simply stands for horsepower. It represents the power of the motor. There are also two types of electrical current used to connect the motors – alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC). AC is measured using HP. With DC, Newton force (N) is used.
Is there a difference? DC motors start slowly and then they increase in speed. Before they stop, they will reduce their speed. With the AC-type motors, the speed will remain the same the entire time it is operating and it will shut off all at once. When it comes to the way they perform, you will find that these tend to work equally well. The DC motors are somewhat quieter than the AC models, though, so that might be something to consider.
The right motor for the job
By now, you should have a basic understanding of the different types of power, so we can move on to the crux of the post – the size motor you need for the opener. With the AC motors, you will find that there are 1/3hp, 1/2hp, and 3/4hp options on the market. With DC motors, there are 500 newtons and 700‑newton options. A 1/2hp motor will be the same as a 500-Newton motor, and a 3/4hp motor will be the same as a 700‑Newton motor.
Something to keep in mind is that with large commercial doors, the amount of power that is needed will be greater. The motor sizes can range from 1/2hp to 5hp for the commercial garage door openers.
Residential tends to be smaller, and they will not usually exceed the 1/2hp or 500-Newton range for a standard single door that measures 9’x7’. Those who have a double door or an extremely heavy wood door will need to have something with a bit more punch to it, such as the 3/4hp or 700‑Newton motor.
When you are purchasing a garage door opener, it is important to remember that a high-quality opener is going to last longer. This might cost somewhat more at the outset, but because the opener will last longer, it eventually offsets that cost. Those who have the budget will want to consider this.
As you start to make a choice, you should also consider some of the other accessories that might be available. This could include a garage door monitor, a remote light switch, and more. Take the time to learn about the options that are available for you, and talk with our experts when you have any questions.
Going high-tech with connections
One of the other things that you want to look for when you are buying a garage door opener today is the ability to connect to your smartphone. While this might not seem like something that you need, you will soon wonder how you ever got along without it.
The built-in connectivity helps make it easy to monitor your garage door from your smart device. You could do this from your driveway, from inside your house, your workplace, or anywhere else that you have a connection to the web. You will never have to worry that you might have left the garage door open again.
Safety is important
You want to make sure that your garage is safe for yourself, your family, and your pets. A garage door opener that is not working correctly or a garage door that is not properly balanced is a problem waiting to happen. Instead of letting this continue, get in touch with a tech from B & M Garage Door Inc, who can help you with all of your garage door needs.
If you are going to be testing the garage door to see if it is balanced, as mentioned above, you will want to take safety precautions. Do not put yourself in a location where you could be hurt and do not do anything that could cause injuries to anyone else. In addition, having a second person around just in case can be helpful.
Get the help you need for your garage door opener
We are ready to help. You can contact us and we can explain you everything you need to know about garage door openers, and we can help you find one that works well for your needs and your bank account. In addition, we can give you a quotation by email.
Of course, you can also come to our showroom, where we can provide you with a personal touch. You can also check out our Design Centre to learn more about the style and options available. You can also check out the image gallery to get some ideas.
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