What Horsepower Garage Door Opener do I need?

Installing a garage door opener is something most homeowners prefer to tackle to save a few bucks and time. Most people believe that the process is so simple and forget to involve preparations. Conversely, garage door openers come in different sizes, so it is crucial to know which size is right for your door. As a DIY expert, I was going through some reviews when I bumped into this frequently asked question, what horsepower garage door opener do I need?

Depending on the size of your door, the average horsepower needed for residential doors, 8-12ft should have at least a ½ HP motor. On the other hand, doors that measure more than 14 ft can use at least ¾ HP motor. See, garage door openers do the heavy lifting for you, so you get to enjoy the convenience every time you get back home after a hectic day.

However, buying an opener with extra horsepower or going for too small power can be as wasteful. It’s a decision that involves much complexity. It would be best if you balanced functionality and cost before making any decision.

Getting down to basics

The characteristics of your garage door will heavily influence its size and horsepower. A heavy or large door needs more power to lift it. Its size and weight help you figure out what size of opener you need. You can start by measuring your garage door’s width and height with a tape measure, so you know what you have. Double doors do well with a little more horsepower, while single ones do well with smaller openers.

The essential function of any garage door opener is to prevent you from doing the job manually. To do the job correctly, the torsion or extension spring system must be perfectly balanced with your door’s weight. The system serves as the counterweight to your door’s deadweight, which can either weigh 90 to 350 lb. Although the door springs balance the weight and the actual job of lifting the door, some doors can be heavier. Insulation on any door type adds weights and may require a larger opener.

Garage door terminology

Although many motors use horsepower to describe the force that it uses, it’s crucial to start discussing motor sizes and learn a few terms first. An electric garage door opener generally uses two basic types of electrical current. An alternating current is described using horsepower, while a direct current is described using Newton’s force. Although these power types seem different, they do share some similarities.

One primary difference between the two is that the AC-type motors use a constant speed while DC motors start slowly and steadily increase in speed. They then reduce their speed before stopping. Concurrently, motors that use DC motors are way quieter.

Understanding Motor Size

Since you’re now acquainted with the current types that can be used in your garage door opener, let’s learn more about the motor size. A residential opener with AC motors ranges from ⅓, ½ to ¾ HP, the most popular being ½ HP. On the other hand, DC motors range between 500-700 Newton, the popular one being 500 N. Single doors use ½ HP or 500 N motor while double garage doors use at least ¾ HP or 700 N motor. Before deciding on a garage door opener, you also need to factor in the motor’s projected life. While others can last up to 15 years, more dependable and durable openers will be reflected in the price tag.

Understanding Drive Types

When embracing this new technology, it’s also crucial to consider the drive type. This is because you want to maximize your convenience. Single-car garage doors can do well with a screw, belt, or chain-driven motors without imposing any motor damage. Screw and belt-driven openers are less noisy and more reliable. On the other hand, chain openers are quite noisy but less complicated to repair for the average homeowner. So, understanding the drive type is pretty useful.

How to choose Installation Type

When installing your garage door, you can either opt to do it yourself or involve an expert. Self-installed openers use rails in three pieces to assemble, while a professionally installed model includes a one-piece rail. Although there’s no significant difference in the rail’s strength or durability, installing it right is crucial as it determines the opener’s proper operation.

Smart garage door openers

Significant advancements in technology have enabled most homeowners to adapt to this new era of smart garage door openers. Multiple choices can be Wi-Fi connected for effortless control. Besides, some models allow users to control their garage doors through a Smartphone. This means that they get total control of their garage door right from anywhere.

It’s a new norm that almost everyone is falling to. So, before opting for a garage door opener, you may want to consider its smart technology. Luckily, we have a list of top garage door openers with all the above smart technology. You may check on them to land on the best options. You may also share the functions and accessories you desire to help us direct you well. Reach us, and you’ll never be disappointed!

Why safety should be a concern

Whether you’re installing your garage door opener yourself or you’ve involved an expert, your door must always remain appropriately balanced. To ensure it’s balanced, you should be able to lift it easily. You can use this procedure to evaluate the state of your garage door.

First up, pull on the red emergency release cord to disengage your door opener

Bend on your knees and raise the door using the lift handle located on the bottom section
Hold the door roughly 4 ft. (1.2 m) from the ground, and it should remain stable at this height
If you notice some difficulties, call any expert specialized in garage door systems immediately

Matching an opener to the door

One significant step to installing a garage door opener is to measure it correctly. Thus, purchase the correct size opener for your application. It’s an effortless process that only takes about 15 minutes of your time when you have the right tool. Here are the five main measurements you may want to consider.

Height

It’s the distance from the floor to the top of the garage door opening. The height is crucial as it determines if you will need an extension kit when purchasing your DIY operator.

Depth

The depth of a garage door opener is the distance to the back wall of the garage. For manually operated doors, a minimum depth of the door’s height plus 18″ is required. Electric motor-heads are typically placed between 9.5′ to 11.5′ from the door. That said, always ensure a 120VAC outlet is within 36″ of this location. It’s also crucial to check for any obstructions like attic access, storage, and beams that might be blocking the way of the installation.

Side room

A side room is an area available immediately adjacent to the door opening. To safely mount the beam system, a minimum of 3.5″ to 4.5″ is required on either side of the door opening.

Headroom

This is the area above the door opening used to mount the rail assembly and header bracket. It’s measured from the top of the door opening to the ceiling. Here, a minimum of 12″ is sufficient.

The highest point level

The highest point of level is the distance measured from the ceiling to the highest point of the garage door’s leading edge when raised.

Frequently asked questions

How many pounds can a 1/2 hp garage door opener lift?

It should approximately lift 300 pounds which is the average weight of a two-car steel door.

Can my garage door opener be too powerful?

Well, garage door openers come with different amounts of horsepower, as discussed above. Conversely, most openers aren’t too powerful for the standard garage door.

Can I replace my garage door opener without changing rails?

While most homeowners have reused the rails when swapping garage door units, it’s not highly recommended. This is because they don’t have the same dimensions and may result in severe damages. Besides, there’s no standard size rail as they change over the years.

Final Thoughts

When choosing the right horsepower and size for your garage door, the above details go a long way in helping users make a more informed decision. With a ton of upgraded garage door openers to choose from, this guide will help you land on the best model sooner than you’d like. With the right amount of forethought, we’ve also given you some safety tips that will help you through the installation process. We hope you’re now ready to consistently and smoothly operate your garage door opener for many years to come!