At Mehr’s Garage Doors, we recognize the importance of energy efficiency in all facets of your home. Your garage door, which is often forgotten, is crucial for maintaining your home’s warmth and lowering energy costs. This detailed guide will show you how to make your garage doors more energy-efficient, saving you money and making you feel better.
Using energy-efficient garage doors offers many benefits for homeowners. They lower the cost of heating and cooling, make the garage and living areas that link to it more comfortable, and make HVAC systems work less hard. These doors can also raise the value of your home and better protect temperature-sensitive things kept in the garage.
Mehr’s Garage Doors has been helping St. George homeowners improve their garage door efficiency for over 40 years. Our knowledge will help you maximize these benefits and enjoy a more relaxed, energy-efficient home.
At Mehr’s Garage Doors, we’ve seen many signs that garage doors are inefficient. If there are leaks around the door’s edges, that’s a clear sign that it’s not sealed well. Extreme temperature changes in your garage compared to the outside air may mean your insulation isn’t good enough.
When it’s cold outside, mist or frost inside the door means heat is leaving. If you notice sudden temperature changes right after shutting the door, you may need more insulation in your garage. These signs point to a door that wastes energy and costs you money.
We recommend a straightforward DIY method for checking for air leaks: Close your garage door and stand inside on a warm day. Check to see if any light is coming in through gaps around the door edges. Feel for air movement by running your hand around the edge.
Use a smoke pencil to find small air currents for a more accurate test. If an R-value is available, check it to determine its insulation. In St. George, we consider a house with an R-value less than nine inadequately insulated. Our technicians can check your garage door’s energy efficiency if you need more clarification.
The R-value tells you how well insulation works; the higher the number, the better. R-9 to R-13 is suitable for garage doors in mild areas. R-13 to R-16 works well in most places.
We usually recommend doors with R-16 or higher for maximum energy efficiency due to St. George’s extreme temperatures. For example, the R-values on our Clopay Thermacore doors are up to 17.2, which provides excellent insulation.
Non-insulated doors are unsuitable for our environment. Although they may initially cost less, they eventually lead to higher energy costs and less comfortable living areas.
Insulated doors can help soundproof your garage, maintain a more constant garage temperature, and put less stress on your HVAC system. Thanks to the energy savings, the higher cost of an insulated door usually pays for itself in a few years.
Steel vs. fiberglass vs. wood: Each material has pros and cons. Steel doors are famous because they last a long time and can keep heat in. Fiberglass doors are great for families with busy kids because they are naturally insulating and won’t harm you.
Wood doors have a classic appearance but need more upkeep to maintain energy efficiency. We can advise you on the best material based on your unique requirements and available funds.
When selecting an energy-efficient garage door, look for polyurethane foam insulation, which beats polystyrene. Thermal breaks in the panels stop heat from moving between them, and low-E glass helps keep solar heat out of doors with windows.
The parts must have airtight seals to prevent air from leaking. Our team can guide you through these features to ensure you get the most energy-efficient door for your home.
At Mehr’s Garage Doors, we know replacing your whole door is only sometimes possible. For those scenarios, we recommend a few do-it-yourself insulation options. Many choose foam board insulation because it is hard, easy to cut, and good at keeping heat in. You could also use fiberglass batts, which work exceptionally well with a support system.
Reflective insulation can help keep heat from escaping during the hot weather in St. George. DIY insulation can increase efficiency, but it’s important to remember that it won’t always match the performance of a factory-insulated door that an expert has installed.
Please find below a simple guide for installing insulation panels if you are handy:
Make sure your garage door sticks well by cleaning it well. To fit each panel, you must measure and cut your insulation material. Put a strong glue on the back of the insulation.
Don’t let go of the insulation on any of the panels. If necessary, seal the edges with silver tape for a better look. We always recommend professional fitting to ensure your door works properly, even though this process seems simple.
Each insulation material has benefits and drawbacks. The foam board is easy to work with and has a good R-value per inch, but it might cost more.
Although they provide excellent insulation at a low cost, fiberglass batts can be messy and may soak up moisture. In hot places like ours, reflective insulation works excellently, but it might be less useful in the winter. Our team can help you choose the best material for your situation.
An energy-efficient garage door needs the right weatherstripping. We recommend that you check the top and side seals on your door once a year. If you see cracks, brittleness, or tension that keeps it from making full contact, it’s time to get a new seal. Our technicians possess the skill to select and install the appropriate weatherstripping for your particular door model.
A lot of air leaks through the bottom of your garage door. We often use flexible rubber or plastic plugs that fit over small bumps on your garage floor. When the door is closed, the bottom seal should fully touch the floor. This creates an airtight barrier against drafts, dust, and pests.
Even small gaps can lead to significant energy loss. We use high-quality, weatherproof glue to make a tight seal around small gaps. For larger gaps, you should use a foam backer bar first, then caulk.
We may occasionally recommend installing extra weatherstripping around the frame for maximum efficiency. A properly sealed garage door not only saves energy but also keeps out pests and lowers noise.
At Mehr’s Garage Doors, we understand that while windows can make your garage look nicer and let in more natural light, they can also reduce energy efficiency. We offer a few different energy-efficient window choices for garage doors. Good insulation keeps heat from escaping through double—or triple-pane glass.
Low-E treatments on the glass help keep your garage cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter by reflecting heat. We recommend argon gas-filled windows for the best insulation because it blocks heat flow without being seen. These choices allow you to enjoy natural light without hurting your energy efficiency.
When deciding where to place windows, we consider both beauty and energy efficiency. Putting windows in the top parts of the door is often a good idea for privacy. If you want to use sun heat in the winter, windows that face south can be helpful.
We recommend limiting direct sunshine in St. George’s hot environment to avoid overheating. Our team can help you find the best mix between wanting natural light and saving energy (energy performance).
The energy efficiency of modern garage door openers can be significantly improved. We recommend door openers with DC motors because they operate more quietly and smoothly than AC motors and typically consume less energy.
Look for openers with idle power modes that use less electricity when not in use. Some high-efficiency types use as little as 75% less power than regular openers when they’re not in use.
Intelligent technology has transformed the efficiency of garage doors. We have WiFi-enabled openers, so you can use your phone to check on and control your garage door from anywhere. This keeps your door closed, so you can always keep it open by chance and save energy.
You can set some types to close the door automatically during peak heating or cooling times. There is even more flexibility and energy savings with many of our intelligent openers that can work with home automation systems.
We recommend that you have a professional check your garage door once a year to maintain its energy efficiency. Our technicians check for broken or old parts, misaligned parts, and possible air leaks. We also ensure that your door is adjusted correctly, saving energy and making your handle last longer. Minor problems can be found and fixed before they worsen and cost a lot of money.
Proper lubrication depends on your door’s efficiency and life. Every three to six months, you should grease all the moving parts, like the hinges, rollers, and springs. The reduced friction reduces the energy required to operate your door, maintaining the tight seal and insulation qualities of the door and stopping wear and tear.
Even minor damage can affect your door’s energy efficiency. Cracks or dents in the insulation can let air leak out. We recommend having it fixed right away if you see any damage.
Act quickly to maintain your door’s energy-saving features and avoid further damage. Mehr’s Garage Doors is always ready to evaluate and repair any problems to maintain your garage door’s maximum efficiency.
At Mehr’s Garage Doors, we think that energy efficiency in the garage should be looked at from every angle. Insulating your garage walls and ceiling can significantly enhance overall performance, even though an insulated door is essential. We recommend insulating the walls with fiberglass batts or spray foam insulation, paying extra attention to any walls shared with living areas.
Blown-in insulation can be a good choice for the ceiling, especially if you have an extra space above. Proper insulation is needed for better energy efficiency. It also helps keep moisture in and noise out.
Aside from the garage door, there are other places where air can leak and ruin your efforts to save energy. We advise looking for gaps around windows, doors for pedestrians, and any holes for pipes or lines.
For small gaps, use caulk, expanding foam sealant, or weatherstripping around doors and windows. Remember to seal where the garage walls meet the roof and base. The energy savings from these small changes can add up to a lot.
If you use your garage as a workspace in the winter, using a space heater may be more efficient than trying to heat the whole garage. Infrared or ceramic heaters, which heat things directly rather than the air, are energy efficient and recommended.
Consider using a radiant shield behind the heater to bounce heat back into the space as you position it to warm your work area. Never leave a heater unsupervised, and always follow safety guidelines.
Depending on your situation, upgrading your garage door can result in significant energy savings. Consider your temperature, the size of your garage, and how often you use the space.
In St. George’s, an energy-efficient garage door could reduce heating and cooling costs by 10 to 20 percent. The savings could be even more significant if your garage is connected to your home because it also helps keep your living areas warm.
Although the initial cost of an energy-efficient garage door or insulation changes may seem high, the long-term savings usually make it worthwhile. Homeowners can typically expect to recover their cost savings from energy savings within 5 to 7 years.
This can change, though, depending on the energy price and how it is used. Improving comfort and raising the value of your home are also instant benefits. We at Mehr’s Garage Doors can give you a more thorough cost-benefit study based on your unique case.
Improving your garage door’s energy efficiency is a good idea that will pay off in lower energy bills, more comfortable living, and a higher home value. At Mehr’s Garage Doors, we’re dedicated to helping St. George homeowners get the most out of their garage door performance.
Our professional team is here to guide you every step of the way, whether you’re installing a new door or upgrading your current one. Call us today to take the first step toward making your home more energy-efficient.
Installing an efficient garage door may allow homeowners in St. George to save 10 to 20 percent on their energy costs, though savings may vary.
Of course, mainly if you use the space a lot. The garage is protected by insulation, which helps maintain a more livable temperature.
People can install insulation themselves, but we recommend that a professional do it to ensure that it fits properly and does not damage your door’s operation.
We recommend checking and replacing the weatherstripping once a year and when you see signs of wear, usually every two to three years.
Insulation does not work in a vacuum. It helps keep heat out in the summer and warmth in during the winter, so the temperature stays more stable all year.
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