Maintaining Your Garage Door is the Secret to Saving Money on Bills in Winter
As winter temperatures begin setting in, homeowners nationwide are preparing for the inevitable spike in their energy bills. While you may have already taken measures to insulate your windows, seal any drafts, and upgrade your heating system, there remains one commonly overlooked secret to saving money on your energy bills during colder months: a properly functioning garage door.
In this blog post, we’ll explore how a well-maintained garage door can help you conserve energy and reduce your heating costs this winter.
Insulation is Key
Your garage door is the largest moving part in your home and serves as a barrier between the harsh outdoor weather and your comfortable living space. It’s important to ensure that this barrier is well-insulated, as it can significantly impact your home’s overall energy efficiency.
A properly insulated garage door helps maintain a more stable temperature inside the garage, affecting the temperature in adjacent rooms, particularly those that share walls with the garage. When your garage is better insulated, you reduce heat loss and prevent cold air from seeping into your living spaces. This means that your heating system doesn’t have to work as hard to maintain a comfortable temperature, resulting in major energy savings.
Weatherstripping and Seals
In addition to insulation, your garage door’s weatherstripping and seals play a crucial role in keeping cold air out and warm air in (and vice versa during the summer). Over time, these components can wear out and lose effectiveness, allowing drafts and moisture to infiltrate your garage. When that happens, your heating system must work harder to compensate.
Regularly inspect and replace worn weatherstripping and seals to ensure a properly functioning garage door. These relatively inexpensive maintenance tasks can substantially prevent heat loss and maintain a cozy living environment. If you can’t recall the last time you had your garage door looked at by a pro, give us a call, and we’ll send our experts out for an affordable inspection.
Reduced Wear and Tear on Your Heating System Leads to Future Savings
When your garage door works properly and maintains a stable temperature in your garage, your heating system doesn’t have to work overtime. Adding stress to your heating system – which is already taxed during colder months – can lead to increased wear and tear, reduced efficiency, and the need for more frequent repairs and even premature replacement.
By maintaining your garage door, you can extend the life of your heating system while reducing your long-term energy consumption. It can sound like a stretch to tie your HVAC system’s life to your garage door’s functionality, but your wallet might disagree.
Consider Modern Garage Door Tech
Modern garage door openers are equipped with safety features and technology that help ensure your garage door operates efficiently…when it’s working properly. A garage door opener that has been professionally maintained and, therefore, in good working order can help save energy in several ways.
First, timed closure technology from brands like Raynor prevents your garage door from staying open for hours (or days) at a time if you accidentally forget to close it. Many garage door openers allow you to set a timer for how long the door remains open, which helps prevent unnecessary heat loss during loading and unloading.
Remote access is another great feature available with many of today’s garage door systems. This feature allows you to control your garage door from anywhere, ensuring that it’s not left open inadvertently, which could result in significant energy loss.
Discover Expert Garage Maintenance at Bushelman Supply
A properly functioning garage door is an often underestimated ally in the battle against high energy bills during colder months. And in extreme weather, knowing your system is in good working order can provide much-needed peace of mind.
Don’t wait until you’re faced with a garage door emergency to consult the experts. As a Raynor partner, the Bushelman team is trained in the latest technology and has the insight and experience to help keep your system working in every season. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.