Are DC Garage Door Openers Worth The Extra Cost?
Posted on: 16 November 2021
If you are looking for a new automatic garage door opener, choosing the right model can be a challenge. Garage door openers come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and some opener types may be more suitable for your needs than others. For example, if you need a quiet garage door opener for early morning use, you should consider a belt-drive opener and avoid noisier chain-drive models.
You should also consider what type of electrical motor you want your new door opener to use. Garage door openers with direct current (DC) motors are more expensive than openers with alternating current (AC) motors, but DC door openers can be well worth the extra investment.
Advantages Of Garage Door Openers With DC Motors
Compact Size
DC motors are usually a lot smaller than AC motors, and most garage door openers fitted with DC motors are compact and unobtrusive. This can be very useful in smaller garages and is also helpful if you want to install ceiling-mounted storage racks and shelving around your door opener.
Backup Battery Functionality
Unlike AC-powered garage door openers, door openers with DC motors can be fitted with backup batteries, which will provide emergency power to the opener during power outages. If you live in an area that sees frequent power outages, or your garage door is too heavy or unwieldy to operate manually, a DC door opener with a backup battery can be a lifesaver.
Quiet Operation
Garage door openers with AC motors can be quite loud, creating an audible hum while operating. DC motors are usually quieter and are ideal if you need a garage door opener that can be used at any time of day or night without disturbing the neighbors. A DC garage door opener with a belt or screw drive will function almost silently.
Soft Start/Stop Functionality
Unlike AC garage door openers, which run at a single, fixed speed, DC door openers can be made to run more quickly or slowly by adjusting the electrical current supplied to the motor. This allows DC openers to use soft start and stop functionality.
When a garage door opener with soft start functionality is activated, it will start moving the garage door slowly, before gradually bringing the motor up to full speed. When the garage door reaches the end of its tracks, this process is reversed, bringing the door to a gentle, gradual stop. This process minimizes wear on the garage doors moving components, extending the working life of your door.
Increased Safety
All modern garage door openers are very safe to use and do not pose any kind of electrocution risk unless they are extremely badly damaged by flooding, heavy impacts, or deliberate tampering. However, direct electrical current causes less damage to the human body than alternating current, so choosing a DC-powered door opener will provide additional safety in a worst-case scenario.
Contact a local garage door company to learn more about garage door openers.
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