When you are faced with buying a new garage door opener, it can be tempting to go to a local big box store and buy the first one you see, but this does not always result in you getting the right one for your needs. These units can vary wildly in how noisy they are, how much weight they can lift, and how long they will last with regular usage. To ensure that you buy the correct unit, be sure to consult our professional technicians.
1/2 HP Models
Most standard doors can be smoothly and safely operated with 1/2 HP units. This is perfect for the homeowner who has a regular, single-car garage door that is not heavily insulated. Once you need to lift heavier doors, however, you will have to buy a unit that has a little bit more power. If you install this opener on a door that is much heavier, such as a double door, you will find that it wears out much sooner than expected, if not simply fail to work altogether.
3/4 HP Models and 1 HP Openers
For wooden garage doors or ones that are very heavily insulated, 3/4 HP units are a little bit more durable. They have the extra power required to perform a more effortless function, and thus effectively help increase their longevity. It also means that they can lift heavier doors. These openers can be highly suitable for an oversized door.
AC or DC
Additionally, it’s important to consider the current that supplies the motor. Direct current motors are generally more popular due to allowing openers to work with soft stops and starts instead of running with a jerky movement. They tend to be quieter and are easy to hook up to a backup battery in case of a power failure.
The best way to make sure that you are buying the right garage door opener for your home is to get professional help from our experts. With years of experience on our side, we can help you find the right unit that will best meet your needs. We excel in installing new units as well as entire doors and can test to ensure your system is functioning properly.