For most homes, the garage is opened at least once a day, while for other homeowners, a larger share of their day is spent in the garage.
No matter how frequently you use your garage, you wish to see the door open and close easily.
Even so, all garage openers do not work in a similar way– some open faster than others.
If you have concerns about how slow or fast your garage door opens, you might consider checking on the motor system, which could leave you wondering:
Can A Garage Door BE TOO POWERFUL?
Of course, a garage opener can be too powerful, and there are already several powerful openers on the market. Even so, the difference between a powerful and weak garage opener can seldom be noticed when it is functioning.
All the same, a door with high horsepower will generally open or close faster than that with low horsepower.
Whenever you go to the market to search for a garage opener, there are several things you may need to consider before settling for one.
See Also: What Should You Do If Your Garage Door Remote Is Stolen?
Even though you wish to have a garage door open faster, you still don’t want to have it broken easily.
In many stores, you will get openers with average power that can function well for any standard door.
This article will cover more about the power of a garage door opener, how to regulate it, and some considerations you need to make when seeking a garage door opener.
Can A Garage Door Opener Be Too Powerful For The Garage Door?
Even though there are some powerful garage door openers, finding one for an average door is not easy unless your door is too small.
To some people, the different horsepower ratings are just for marketing show-off and do not in any way affect the power of the garage opener.
However, a motor with higher horsepower may work faster and wear out slowly because of the minimal friction as it opens and closes.
When you buy a garage opener, you need to readjust its force to align with how you want your door to open and the strength of the door.
If you set the force too high, you increase the chances of the door getting stuck or being damaged. It is therefore advisable to only set the medium force that functions well for most doors.
Should You Replace A Powerful Garage Door Opener?
The moment you realize that your door opens with too much power, you may first think of switching the opener with another new one.
However, you should not always replace a motor whenever you think it is too powerful.
Instead, check the force settings and adjust them to fit with the prescribed force for your door weight and material.
Otherwise, if the opener force is set appropriately and it functions well, there is no good reason to change it unless you have planned to buy a new one.
Even when you realize that your opener is of high horsepower, you don’t need to replace it with one that has less horsepower.
Typically, a higher horsepower door opener functions more swiftly than that with minimal horsepower. Ware and tear of the door or motor are less when using a high horsepower opener.
You can probably think of replacing a garage door opener if it lacks some automatic features.
For example, a garage opener with the automatic reversal feature will not close if something is blocking the way, thus enhancing safety.
Eleven Things To Look For When Buying A Garage Door Opener
Now that you know the horsepower does not imply much on a garage opener, here are a few important features you need to look for when buying a door opener.
1. Automated Home Integration
Some garage door openers can be integrated with the home system to automatically open or close after sensing movement.
For instance, a garage door can open when you get your car to the driveway.
This feature allows you to integrate your garage with Google assistant and help you open or close any part of your home.
2. Safety Features
Most garage door openers have an auto-close feature that locks the door after some time.
This feature enhances the security of your car and other material inside the garage in case you forget to lock the door.
3. Remote Control
Remote control to operate motors is the most convenient way to control and operate several home appliances.
For a garage door opener, you can install passcode-controlled buttons or keypads mounted on walls to open and close the door remotely.
You can do this at your convenience, without necessarily moving out of the car or moving close to the garage.
4. Wall Mounting Feature
Several garage door openers can be mounted on the wall next to the door, while others must be placed on rails at the center of the garage.
The wall mounting feature allows you to have more space in the garage to work effectively.
You can also install ceiling fans to help cool down the garage on hot days.
5. Smart Connectivity Features
Some garage openers have inbuilt smart features, while others come as an additional compartment.
The smart feature allows you to operate the door via a mobile app.
Imagine leaving home and forgetting to lock the garage; then you realize you can easily lock it via your phone.
Modern door openers are integrated with this smart app feature and more mobile integration specifications to simplify the usability of the openers.
6. Manual Operation Feature
This feature allows you to turn off the electric control and operate the door manually.
This is very important, especially when you wish to open the door to a certain medium height.
You can raise or lower the garage door to any level of your preference, depending on what you want to remove or put inside the garage.
7. Battery Backup
If you suffer a power outage, you don’t wish to have your car locked up in the garage because the door can’t open.
A battery backup feature allows you to connect the opener to a battery system that helps open and close the garage when there is no power in the home.
8. Vehicle Compatibility
Some modern vehicles are built with control panels to open garages and gates.
If you own such a car or are planning to buy it, then you need to buy a garage door opener that is compatible with this car’s features.
9. Motion Sensors
Some garage door openers have automatic motion sensor security lights that switch on whenever there is motion near the garage.
This can help scare away thieves or intruders who are planning to break into your garage at night.
10. Locks
This feature allows you to lock the motor control panel to prevent remote access and control the door whenever you wish to turn to manual operation.
11. Soft Start And Stop Motors
Such motors are swifter and quiet, thus reducing the wear and tear of the rails.
Conclusion
The functionality of a garage door opener can be pleasing to some people but be a cause of concern to others.
If you notice that your garage door opener has too much power, you should not worry because it is an issue that can be solved through simple basic settings.
This article covers more that may be helpful to you if you have a powerful garage door opener.
References
https://www.lowes.com/n/buying-guide/garage-door-opener-buying-guide
