Have you ever had any power outages where you live and been unable to open up the garage door to get your vehicle out? If you have, then you know just how important it is to have a backup battery available for your garage door opener. Having one of these batteries can provide some excellent benefits, and it can help to save lives. There are some places where it’s not just a good idea to have a backup, but it is also the law. Let’s get a closer look.
Why Do You Need a Backup Battery?
If you are living in California, it is now a requirement for all garage door openers that are sold or installed for residential uses in the state have a backup battery. This is because of the dangers that arise when people do not have these batteries.
The state is prone to wildfires, and those fires often require that people can get their vehicles out of their homes so they can evacuate, usually on short notice. When the flames are raging, it is sometimes not possible to check on everyone right away. There have been cases in the state where people were unable to get their vehicles out of their home because there was no power for the garage door opener, and the door was not balanced properly, making it hard to open. This can be deadly, and people have already died because of it.
Now, you might be thinking that since you do not live in California, and it is not a requirement to have a backup battery in your area, you do not need one. Think for a moment about the heatwaves and the strange weather that has been occurring. The world is heating up. Temperatures rise, and the amount of rainfall received is dwindling in many areas. This makes the perfect recipe for disaster.
However, it is not just wildfires that can be problematic. If the power were to go out in the middle of winter, and you needed to get out of your home with your vehicle since walking is not an option, it can be dangerous, as well. Having a backup battery might not be a requirement, but it is always a good idea.
Many garage door opener manufacturers are starting to expand their product range to include more options with backup batteries, and easy ways to have them integrated.
Is the Door Balanced?
Along the same lines as having a backup battery, you need to determine whether your door is balanced correctly. Often, it is a combination of a power outage and an unbalanced door that causes problems. When a door is balanced correctly, it should feel as though it only weighs about 10 lbs. (5kg) or so. If the door is out of balance, you would have to push up the full weight of the door to move it. For a 9’x 7’door, this would be 125 lb. (57 kg) and for a 16’x 7’door, which could be 250 lbs. (144 kg) or more.
Fortunately, it is quite easy to see whether your garage door is balanced correctly or not. You will want first to disconnect your electric garage door opener. Then, you will lift the door manually from the bottom, just as you would normally. If you are unable to raise the door and it feels like it weighs a lot, there is a problem with the balance. You will want to contact us as soon as you can, so we can help to get things back for you. Check the balance of your garage door like this every couple of months to be on the safe side.
The Battery and the Models Available
Some of the models available include:
- Chain-drive door opener, 8360W
- Jackshaft door opener, 8500W
- Belt-drive door opener, WLED, and 8550W
The installation for these batteries is easy, and they can provide you with the peace of mind that you need. Also, you will find that these can integrate nicely with your smart home thanks to the MyQ technology.
The Battery and the Models Available
If you live in or near ORILLIA, you will want to contact us right now at 705-325-2568. You will be able to find the garage door openers that you need for your garage door, and you can learn more about the benefits of having a backup battery for your door. We want to help you find the best device and options for your needs, not to mention for your budget.
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