Wondering whether a backup battery on a garage door opener is something you need? For many people, it is. This is even more the case if you are located somewhere that has frequent power outages.
Not sure why it matters? We’ll share exactly why you should have an electric garage door opener that includes a backup battery.
Why backup batteries are so important
In July 2019, the state of California made a decision that all residential garage door openers sold or installed in the future must be fitted with a backup battery. This bill was signed into law by the governor in September 2018. Every home builder in the state is required to comply with the new requirement.
Curious what led to this new change? Based on the many forest fires and fires to brush that have plagued California over the last few years, some deaths have occurred. In some cases, the deaths were the result of individuals being stuck and trapped because there was no way to open their garage doors manually.
You might be wondering if this risk extends to the rest of North America. It could. As climate change continues from the last few years, it is leading to a reduced amount of rainfall and higher temperatures. When there is also low humidity and increased winds, trees and other plants can catch fire and spread very easily. This is not something unique to only California.
Due to the large number of people who populate California, it is quite likely that major garage door opener manufacturers, including LiftMaster and Chamberlain, will come out with a larger number of products that include backup batteries, which can both be present next to the motor or inside of the motor housing itself.
Do you own a garage which only has one access point, meaning the garage door itself is the only way to get in and out? A backup battery is absolutely crucial in this situation. You will most often see this type of situation in high-rise condos and apartments with exterior garages.
A balanced garage door and why it matters
One of the most important things to know about garage door openers powered by electricity is that it offers a replacement for what you can do manually. This applies whether a power outage is happening or not. A typical single metal garage door (9 x 7 ft.) can weigh about 125 lb. (57 kg.) while a double door (16 x 7 ft.) weighs 250 lb. (114 kg.) or even more. A solid wood door is going to be heavier than a metal one. When we talk about the weight, this includes the rollers, windows, hinges, reinforcement struts, and other hardware.
You might be wondering why all of this matters. It is because the spring system is responsible for counterbalancing all of that weight, so it only feels like 8 to 10 lb. (3 to 5 kg.) at the very most. This is why you can easily lift a garage door using a single hand when you need to do so.
In order for all of this to work the way it supposed to, your garage door needs to be properly balanced. Want to test your own garage door? You want to turn off the garage door opener using the emergency release handle. After that is complete, you should find the lift handle on the door’s bottom two sections and try to lift the door upward. Is it difficult to do? You should contact us as soon as possible to take care of it. You should also be running these checks for you’re a balanced garage door as often as once every two months if the garage door is used five or more times a day.
The backup battery in a garage door opener is just like any other type of rechargeable battery. Depending on the model of LiftMaster or Chamberlain door opener you have, the battery will be found installed by the motor or in the housing of the motor. Each of these batteries holds enough power that you can open and close the door about 20 times during a power outage. Once the battery is empty of power, it will take approximately four to five hours to charge back up. Something else that you may find reassuring is that the safety reverse systems (such as the photoeye reversal system) are powered by the backup battery and will still be operational.
The model options offered by LiftMaster
Those who have a modern door opener by LiftMaster or Chamberlain may already have battery backup. Take a look at the opener and look for a logo that indicates that. If it is present, you can choose to add a battery, or one may already be installed for you. Another important thing to know is that backup batteries can only be integrated and installed if the motor is a direct current motor (DC) rather than running on alternating current (AC).
The great thing about backup batteries is that they are simple to integrate or install. They also come with the MyQ technology that gives you the option to open and close the garage door using your tablet, smartphone, or laptop from wherever you are.
Are you interested in more information?
Contact us right nowat 1-866-573-3667 if you live in Trumbull County. We have knowledge of garage door openers beyond anyone else. We can provide information to you about which device will fit your budget and needs best.
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