Do you know how long a typical electric garage door opener is going to last? Generally, you will be able to expect an opener to last somewhere between 10 to 15 years. Of course, there are outliers at both ends of the spectrum. Still, that does not mean that the opener you have right now might not need to be replaced for one reason or another. For example, there might be upgrades that have advances and features that you would like for your door. There could even be changes to regulations regarding these garage door openers. For example, in the state of California, all new garage door openers installed will need to have a battery backup.
Some of the options that are available, such as LiftMaster’s Elite Series, have an even longer lifespan. There are still others on the lower end, in terms of price, with shorter lifespans.
No matter how well you take care of the opener, it is not going to last forever. They are going to need to be replaced at some point. One of the elements that play a large role in just how long it will last is how often you use it. Let’s look at some of the things you will want to consider when you are wondering whether it is time to replace the device.
The true age
How old is the opener? If you have been in the house for a long time, and you were not the person who had it installed, you might not know. Fortunately, it is not too difficult to get this information. You can check to see if the door features an automatic photoelectric reverse system. These systems will have two sensors that are about four to six inches from the ground on either side of the door. If you do not have them, it means that the garage door was manufactured before 1993. It’s time to get a replacement.
In addition, you can look at the metal housing on the motor, which will provide you with the year that the opener was manufactured. If it is older than 10 to 15 years, then it is time you thought about letting the opener give up the ghost and get a new one.
Also, you will want to make sure that you provide the door with regular maintenance or have it done by a professional. This can help to prolong the lifespan of the door opener. Remember that the spring system, whether torsion or extension, that acts as a counterweight will only last for five to seven years, so openers have a much longer life by comparison.
Why else should you replace the garage door opener?
Age is just one of the factors that might make you want to replace your garage door. There are plenty of others.
For example, you might find that the manufacture of your garage door opener is no longer in business. This means you will not be able to get replacement parts for it easily when you need them for a repair. Instead, it tends to be a good idea to choose a company that has been in business for a long time, such as LiftMaster / Chamberlain.
In addition, you always want to make sure that you are keeping your family as safe as possible. Old garage door openers that do not have the safety features that are available today, such as an automatic reversing system, or photoelectric reversal systems are dangerous. This means that even though an accident might be unlikely, you are at a greater risk. It makes sense to make a replacement as soon as you can.
Let’s look at another way that the newer garage door openers can help to keep you safe. They will have better quality security. The old openers would be programmed with simple dip switches, which could have their code detected by thieves. The improved systems of today make it impossible to break the codes to the garage door openers.
If you have a system that is noisy, you know just how grating that sound can be every single time the door opens or closes. It is even worse when it happens late at night or early in the morning. The quieter doors of today use metal-reinforced rubber belts. You can also find wall-mounted openers, known as Jackshaft door openers, which can be put next to the door and are for residential use.
In addition, you will find that the newer systems can help to make your life simpler. It was in 2013 that LiftMaster / Chamberlain introduced the MyQ system. This means that you will be able to operate your garage door no matter where you might be in the world, as long as you have the app downloaded to your phone and you have a WiFi connection. You can also access the app through a laptop or a tablet, for example. The application can also let you know whenever someone opens and closes the door. It is even possible to set up a timer that can cause the door to open or close at certain times of the day.
At this point, you should be just about convinced that it is time to upgrade from your old garage door opener. Just think about how all of these benefits could make your life better.
Want to know more about new garage door openers?
Those who live in the Ottawa area and who are interested in getting one of these new garage door openers installed will want to contact us at 613-749-2138. We have a full line of LiftMaster door openers. We have those that have chain drives, those with belt drives, those that are installed beside the door or centrally. You have a lot of options available. The openers we have are quiet, and you can be sure they are reliable. There are some that even have an emergency battery, just in case you need to use the garage door when the power is out.
If you are interested, you will want to get a quotation by email. Of course, you can always head to the showroom as well to see what is available. If you want to change out your entire garage door system, we can help. You will want to check out the Design Centre and image gallery to see some great examples of what could be possible.
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