Ever wonder how much energy you’re wasting through that big garage door of yours? If you’re like most Sacramento homeowners, you probably don’t give it much thought. But those garage doors are responsible for up to 30% of your home’s energy loss. That means you could be sending hundreds of dollars each year out of your garage and into the atmosphere. Not exactly the best use of your hard-earned cash, right?
The good news is with a few simple maintenance tips, you can seal up that energy leak and keep more money in your pocket. As your local garage door pros, we want to share 5 easy ways you can save energy with your garage door and stop paying the utility companies for cool air you’ll never feel. Give us a call for a free estimate and we’ll get your garage door back in shape and your energy bills under control. Saving the planet and your wallet – now that’s an unbeatable combination.
01. Keep Your Garage Door Properly Maintained
To keep your garage door running efficiently for years to come, regular maintenance is key. Here are 5 tips to save energy with proper garage door care:
Keep Your Garage Door Balanced
An unbalanced garage door requires more effort to open and close, wasting energy. Have a pro check and adjust your door’s balance and springs annually. They can lubricate and tune up the entire mechanism so your door opens smoothly and safely.
Weatherstrip Around the Edges
Weatherstripping seals the gaps around your garage door to prevent drafts and keep conditioned air in. Inspect the seals around the edges of the door, especially along the bottom, and replace any torn, damaged or missing strips. This simple fix can improve your garage door’s energy efficiency by up to 20%.
Lubricate the Moving Parts
To reduce friction and make your garage door glide effortlessly, lubricate the hinges, rollers, tracks, springs and chain or belt with a spray-on lubricant once a year or so. This allows the door to open and close without resistance, using minimal energy.
Choose an Insulated Garage Door
If your garage door is hollow or made of single sheets of metal or wood, it’s poorly insulated and leaks energy. When it’s time to replace your door, choose an insulated model with steel, aluminum or fiberglass panels and a core of polyurethane or polystyrene insulation. An insulated door can improve your home’s energy efficiency by up to 10%.
Keep Your Garage Door Closed
An open garage door lets hot or cold air escape from your garage into the outdoors. Keep your garage door closed as much as possible, especially when running the furnace or air conditioner. An open garage door can reduce your home’s energy efficiency by up to 30%!
So put in a little effort to properly maintain your garage door, and you’ll save energy and money for years to come. Give us a call for any garage door repairs, tune-ups or replacements. We’ve got you covered in Sacramento!
02. Replace Old and Worn Garage Door Seals
If your garage door seals have seen better days, it’s time for replacement. Old, worn seals won’t insulate properly and let hot or cold air in,
costing you money and comfort.
Why Replace Garage Door Seals?
Replacing your garage door seals is an easy, inexpensive way to boost your home’s energy efficiency. Seals act as a barrier between the elements outside and your garage interior. When seals get old, they become brittle, tear, and let air infiltrate into the space. This means your HVAC has to work harder to heat or cool the garage, wasting energy and money.
New seals will provide an airtight seal and insulation for your garage. They’ll keep hot air out in the summer and prevent heat loss in the winter. Seals also reduce noise from outside by blocking sound transmission. Your garage will become a more comfortable space, and your energy bills may decrease by up to 10-15% annually. That’s real savings from such a simple upgrade.
Time for an Upgrade?
If your garage door seals are visibly damaged, torn, or cracked, it’s definitely time to replace them. But even seals that look intact may need replacement. An easy way to check is to see if you can see any light peeking through the seals or feel air flowing through. You can also do a quick DIY test using a lit incense stick – if the smoke blows through the seals, replacement is needed.
Don’t put it off any longer. Call us at (916) 975-0705 for a free estimate and onsite inspection. We’ll provide quality garage door seals and weatherstripping to make your Sacramento garage energy efficient, comfortable, and secure. Your wallet and the planet will thank you.
03. Insulate Your Garage Door
Insulating your garage door is one of the easiest ways to improve its energy efficiency. The garage is often one of the least insulated parts of a home, so adding insulation can significantly reduce heating and cooling costs.
Add weatherstripping
Weatherstripping seals the gaps around your garage door to prevent air leaks. You can install weatherstripping around the door frame and at the base of the door where it meets the floor. Self-adhesive weatherstripping is inexpensive and easy to apply. Measure your door to purchase the correct size.
Install a threshold seal
A threshold seal attaches to the floor beneath the garage door, sealing the gap between the door and the floor. It reduces air infiltration from under the door. Threshold seals can lower your energy bill by preventing heat loss.
Consider a garage door insulation kit
For the best insulation, you can install a full garage door insulation kit. Kits typically include panels that attach to the inside of your garage door. The most effective kits use polystyrene or polyurethane panels. These kits can significantly improve your garage door’s R-value, a measure of its insulation. An insulated kit may reduce heat transfer through your garage door by up to 95%.
Seal and weatherstrip the attic access door
If you have an attic above your garage, make sure the attic access door or panel is properly sealed and weatherstripped. Attic access doors are a major source of air leaks into the garage. Installing weatherstripping, a door sweep or plugging large gaps and holes in the attic door can reduce energy waste.
Adding insulation and weatherstripping to your garage door is an easy, low-cost way to boost the energy efficiency of your home. Lower energy bills and a more comfortable space are worth the small investment. If you have any questions about garage door insulation or want an estimate for professional installation, contact MOJA GARAGE DOORS for a free onsite inspection. We service all garage doors in the greater Sacramento area.
04. Choose an Efficient Garage Door Opener
When it comes to saving energy with your garage door, one of the best things you can do is choose an efficient garage door opener. The opener you select can make a big difference in how much power your garage door uses. Here are some tips for choosing an energy-efficient garage door opener:
Look for an opener with a DC motor
Direct current or DC motors are more energy efficient than older alternating current or AC motors. DC motors don’t have to be constantly running to hold the door in place, so they use less energy. Many newer garage door openers from major brands like Chamberlain and Genie utilize DC motors.
Get a model with a timer-to-close feature
A timer-to-close feature will automatically close your garage door after a set period of time. This prevents wasted energy from heat loss if you accidentally leave the garage door open. You can find openers with adjustable close timers, often up to 4 minutes.
Consider a model with battery backup
Battery backup openers contain a battery that will operate the garage door for a short time during a power outage. This type of opener is convenient and also more energy efficient since it’s not constantly drawing power from the grid to hold the door open or closed. The battery takes over when the power is out.
Look for an opener with motion-activated lights
Many newer garage door openers come with LED lights that automatically turn on when motion is detected in your garage. These motion-activated lights are more energy efficient than standard garage door opener lights that stay on for a set period of time. The lights only turn on when needed and then automatically shut off.
Talk to MOJA Garage Doors
For help choosing an energy-efficient garage door opener that suits your needs, contact the professionals at MOJA Garage Doors. Our technicians stay up-to-date with the latest garage door technology and can provide recommendations and estimates for new openers. Give us a call at (916) 975-0705 for a free on-site inspection and quote.
05. Keep the Garage Door Closed
One of the easiest ways to improve the energy efficiency of your garage is simply to keep the door closed as much as possible. An open garage door is like having a window open in your home—it allows conditioned air to escape, forcing your HVAC system to work harder to regulate the temperature.
Keep it Closed
Make it a habit to close your garage door immediately after entering or exiting your vehicle. Don’t leave it open for long periods when doing yardwork or hobbies in the garage. The energy savings of a closed garage door during winter and summer months can be substantial.
If you have an attached garage, keeping the door closed also prevents fumes from entering your home. Carbon monoxide emitted by idling vehicles in an open garage can be dangerous. For safety and energy efficiency, keep your garage door closed when vehicles are running or the garage is not in use.
During extreme weather, a closed garage door can also help protect your vehicle’s interior temperature and components. An open garage exposes your vehicle to temperature extremes that can reduce the lifespan of batteries and other parts. Keeping the garage door closed will help your vehicle last longer.
Call Moja Garage Doors in Sacramento today at (916) 975-0705 for a free onsite inspection and quote on upgrading your garage door for maximum energy efficiency. Our expert technicians serve Sacramento and the surrounding areas. We provide full service garage door repair, garage door installation and garage door maintenance services for residential and commercial customers.
Keeping your garage door closed is one of the simplest ways to improve home efficiency and save money. Make it a habit and reap the benefits of an energy smart home.
Conclusion
So there you have it, five easy ways to save energy and money with your garage door in Sacramento. Don’t wait until that old, inefficient door finally gives out to make a change. Contact Moja Garage Doors today for a free estimate on a new, insulated garage door. Our experienced technicians can install a high-quality door that fits your budget and home. Save energy, add curb appeal, increase home value, and gain peace of mind – all with one call. Take control of your utility bills and stop wasting money each month. Make that call to schedule your free estimate. You’ll be glad you did.
Garage Door Maintenance in Sacramento ☎️ (916) 975-0705
