When’s the last time your garage door opener was replaced? Did it come with the house? Most people don’t think about their openers until they have problems. Aside from the occasional battery change, the opener is usually good to go — until it suddenly isn’t.
Chances are you’ll install one or two new garage doors your entire lifetime — if that. Your opener, however, is a different story. They aren’t designed to last as long as the door itself. So if you installed an opener along with a new door the last time, chances are you’ll need to install a new opener long before the door shows signs of wear.
Here’s why a new opener might be a good idea if your opener is more than 10 or 15 years old.
Your Opener May be Unsafe
If your garage door opener was installed before 1993, it probably doesn’t have the safety features that can keep a door from closing on a kid, pet, or piece of equipment. Doors after the early 90s are required to have photo eyes that can detect when something is in the door’s path. This will immediately reverse a closing door for safety reasons. If your door doesn’t have this feature, it’s time for an upgrade.
Your Door May Have Security Issues
If your opener is more than 15 years old, it could be prone to electric hacking that could allow a savvy thief access to your garage. Computers have come a long way. If you don’t have the latest technology protecting you, it may be time for an upgrade.
Your Door is Too Loud
Loud garage doors are annoying — especially if your garage is near a living room or bedroom. Modern openers are designed to operate silently. If your door operates on a chain, you might consider switching to a cable operated door — it’s much quieter.
Your Door Isn’t Smart
Smart technology for garage doors has gotten very affordable in the last several years. With a smart door, you can control it virtually from the Internet. That way you can close it directly from your mobile phone, tablet or PC. This can be very helpful if you or the kids forgot to close it. Smart garage doors also allow for remote viewing so you can view your door anytime — even if you are on vacation.
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