With the rise in popularity, electric garage doors are becoming the go-to option for garages. Their convenience and sleek style make them a great choice for any home, but with the rise in costs of living and energy prices, how much electricity does a garage door use?
What affects the electricity usage of a garage door?
Firstly, energy consumption can vary depending on certain factors of the door. These include:
- Size of the door
- Weight of the door
- How often you use the mechanism
- Added extras, such as lighting or WIFI models
As you can imagine, the greater these numbers, the more electricity your garage uses. To keep costs lower, it’s recommended to look for the smallest option in each category.
However, the energy usage comes from the motor used to open and close the door. This is powered by electricity and is used to mechanically move your door on its hinges. It mainly uses most of its electricity when your door is in action, and you’ve signaled for the door to move with your remote. Although even when on standby, the door still uses power. This is because it ensures the motor is available when eventually needed- awaiting instructions to minimise any delay. Don’t worry, when the sensor is active, only a small amount of electricity is needed in comparison to the door being in operation, so the cost is minimal. To lower this further, try turning the power off when you go away. If you’re not using the door for several days, it’s a great time to shut down the supply and prevent any unnecessary energy usage!
So, when an electric garage door is in use, how much electricity does it use?
To calculate this, we would take the average time the door is in use and the number of watts used. To estimate, an average monthly use for an electric roller garage door would be 1.065kWh/month, which would equate to £0.32p. Therefore, as you can see the electricity needed to run the garage door is minimal and cost-effective! It’s worth noting this is an average consumption and can vary depending on your individual usage.
How to reduce electricity use on your electric garage door further?
Still wanting to bring down your electricity spend further? Here are some simple ways you can help keep costs low and your door working.
Maintaining your door parts.
Make sure the mechanisms are properly working and regularly checked for the smoothest movements, as friction can cause unnecessary electrical usage. Lubricating these often
Go for an insulated garage door.
Opting for an insulated door can help minimise the amount of heat escaping, meaning less electricity is needed to keep your home warm in the winter. Additionally, this also works the other way around, keeping you cooler in the summer and saving on having to power a fan.
Opt for solar
You can sometimes use solar to connect up with your motor and power your garage. This is a reusable and eco-friendly alternative that saves you money in the long run. A great option for those looking for a sustainable solution.
Choose to add a safety edge.
This prevents the door from moving if an obstruction is present. Not only does it not use up any unnecessary electricity, but it also makes your door much safer.
Want to switch to an electric garage door?
We hope that clears up a few questions about how much electricity an electric door actually uses and how you can reduce this amount. If you have any other queries or questions, please get in touch with our friendly team today on 01430871161 or email info@rollrightltd.co.uk.
You can also book a free survey today– make the switch to an electric roller garage door!
