When considering home energy efficiency, most homeowners think of windows, insulation, or heating systems—but another culprit can be the garage door. Since your garage is one of the largest openings in your home, it significantly affects how much heat enters or escapes. An ineffective garage door can lead to high energy bills, decreased comfort, and even negatively impact the performance of your HVAC system.
Here are some ways you can make your garage door system more energy efficient and have a comfortable, cost-effective home.
Upgrade to an Insulated Garage Door: One of the simplest ways to increase energy efficiency is by using an insulated garage door. Insulated doors also benefit your home by reducing temperature fluctuations, so your garage is cooler in summer and warmer in winter.
With an attached garage, insulation also helps to control the temperature throughout your home, interfering with heat migrations that might add strain to heating and cooling systems. Opt for doors with polyurethane or polystyrene insulation and a high R-value (a way of measuring thermal resistance).
Seal All Gaps and Cracks: Drafts, moisture and pests can also sneak in through tiny gaps around your garage door. Weatherstripping can eventually wear out or become brittle. Inspect the bottom seal, side seals and top weatherstrip frequently and replace if necessary.
Tip: Quality rubber or vinyl weatherstripping material fits tightly and can handle temperature changes more effectively than cheap products.
Insulate the Garage Walls and Ceiling: If you have an attached or regularly used garage, consider insulating the walls and ceiling to maintain the interior temperature better. This helps keep exterior air from infiltrating, making it comfortable any time of year. It also minimizes noise and protects its contents from extreme temperature fluctuations.
Choose Energy-Efficient Materials and Colors: The material and colour of your garage door can impact heat absorption. Some common-sense things to consider are that lighter-colored doors will reflect more of the sunlight, helping to keep your garage cooler, whereas darker colours will absorb and store heat.
Modern energy-efficient flush doors are made from steel, wood or fibreglass, and are mould-resistant due to their foam cores. They are also more energy efficient than old wooden doors and will last for many years to come.Install Smart Garage Door Openers:
Install Smart Garage Door Openers: A smart garage door opener isn’t just a convenience item; it can also contribute to energy efficiency. Also worth considering: Many smart openers have low-power standby modes, which give you some control over electricity use. They also allow you to monitor and close your door remotely, preventing energy waste from accidentally leaving the garage open.
Let Natural Light In: If you’re used to leaving the lights on all day, consider installing insulated glass panels or windows in your garage door instead. They allow light, which helps you reduce electricity use for lighting during the day. Just be sure the windows are double-glazed so you don’t get all the heat loss and have to forgo any privacy.
Regular Maintenance Makes a Difference: A neglected door is wasting energy. Misaligned tracks, worn rollers and damaged seals can all result in your garage door closing crookedly, leaving room for air to enter. Use scheduled regular tune-ups to be certain everything is in good working order, whether it’s springs or sensors.
Professional maintenance by Halton Garage Doors can help ensure your system remains efficient, smooth, and quiet for years to come.
Upgrade to an Energy-Efficient Opener Motor: If you have an old or undersized motor for your opener, it will use more power than is needed. When replacement time comes along, go for a DC motor opener — they’re quieter, use less energy, and can be connected to a battery backup system in case of a power failure.
Don’t Forget the Garage Door Threshold Seal: A threshold seal adheres to the floor, keeping water, drafts and pests at bay. It complements your weatherstripping — and provides an extra layer of insulation, which can be especially valuable if your driveway doesn’t slope upward or if the door isn’t sealed to the ground.
Final Thoughts
Making your garage door more energy efficient isn’t just about saving money on your utilities – it’s about making sure that you and your loved ones are comfortable, minimizing wear-and-tear on your HVAC system and living a greener life!
From upgrading to an insulated door, sealing gaps, or investing in a smart opener, little things can have long-term implications on performance.
Halton Garage Doors offers an energy-efficient garage door and professional installation to fit your needs.
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