There are plenty of things that homeowners replace at regular intervals such as roofing shingles, their siding, and all their appliances, but when was the last time you changed your garage door opener? Most people aren’t even sure how old their garage door opener is, much less when it needs to be changed. You may be surprised to learn that the average lifespan of an electric garage door opener is only 10 to 15 years. There are a few high-quality options, such as the LiftMaster’s Elite Series, that can last a little longer, however.
Even if your garage door opener seems to be working just fine, that doesn’t mean there aren’t better options available. An upgrade may be in order if you find that there are features or technologies that you prefer. Plus, there are some safety requirements that you may want to consider installing. For instance, California residents are now required to have battery backup.
No matter the reason, age or upgrade, you are going to want a garage door opener replacement sooner or later. It is important to keep in mind the following to decide if that new opener is needed sooner rather than later.
How Old is Your Opener?
If you bought a house with a garage door opener already installed, you may not be too sure of how old the machine actually is. There is no need to worry about that detail, there are ways that you can find out how old your opener is.
One quick check you can do is see if the opener as an automatic photoelectric reverse system. You will look for two sensors, one on each side of the door, that sit about four to six inches from the floor. All garage door openers manufactured after 1993 were required to add this system, so if yours doesn’t have it then you know it is more than two decades old.
Another quick way to discover the age is to look for the serial number on the metal housing of the motor. You should be able to find the serial number, model number, and year is was manufactured there.
How Old is Old?
If your garage door opener is more than 15 years old, it is likely time to go ahead and upgrade. A newer model will likely be more efficient, quieter, and have better features than your older model. Even if your door isn’t ten or more years old, you may find that it already needs replacing if you use it very often. The parts can wear out quicker with constant use.
Another thing that can prematurely age your opener is a failure to do routine maintenance. There are some things you can DIY, and there are some that you need to have done. It is also important to remember that things like the spring system, whether torsion or extension, and the counterweight on the door aren’t as long-lasting, and they may need to be replaced in seven years or less.
If you need more information about the necessary maintenance or to schedule some service, you can reach out to the garage door specialists at Absolute Door Services.
Other Things to Consider
There are other reasons besides age that may make a replacement necessary. For instance, if the manufacturer of your garage door opener is no longer in business, you may want to replace before a part wears out that you can no longer purchase. Switching to a reliable company, such as LIFTMASTER/CHAMBERLAIN, that has been in business for decades is a safer bet.
Protect Yourself from Thieves
A new garage door opener is more secure, as well, because older models, from before 1993, used dip switches. These make it easy to detect the codes by a technologically savvy thief. They can get into the garage without any difficulty. There have been more than a few innovations made to the technology over the intervening years, and it is nearly impossible to break the codes of today.
Emphasize Safety
It is also important to consider the safety aspects of your garage door system. The newer systems are meant to automatically revers due to the photoelectric reversal system. If this is missing, there is a much greater chance of an accident occurring.
Reduce the Noisiness
The older the garage door opener the louder it usually is. They make all kinds of noises like rattling and squeaking that can be heard throughout the entire house every single time the door opens. This can be a real issue if one family member works really late or really early. The newer models use rubber belts that are metal reinforced to be much quieter. If you want things to do even quieter, you can install Jackshaft door openers.
Make Life Easier
Even with all the other reasons for replacing your garage door opener, some people choose to upgrade simply to make life easier. The MyQ system by LIFTMASTER/CHAMBERLAIN will simplify your life. With an app on your smartphone, you can control your garage door from anywhere in the world that has a WiFi connection. You can always know if and when your garage door opens which makes it easy to close your garage door from work if you forget or have the peace of mind that things are secure while you are on vacation.
Absolute Door Services Can Help!
If you live near Yorkton, you can contact us at 1-855-896-9001.
We are happy to discuss all the LiftMaster products that are available. Plus, we offer free quotations by email.
If you are in the market for a garage door opener, or even an entire garage door, we can help! Check out the online Design Centre and image gallery for more garage door inspiration.
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