Homeowners are always looking for ways to reduce their energy waste and lower their energy costs. One area of the home that can get overlooked when it comes to energy-efficiency is the garage door. Your garage door could be letting in too much outside air and making your heating and cooling system work overtime. If you think your garage door could be the reason your energy use is high, it may be time to get a new garage door.
Can a New Garage Door Be Energy Efficient?
Older garage doors may not be insulated or could have gaps that leak air. So if you have an attached garage, it is something to consider. Hot and cold air that travels through your garage door is making its way to the walls of your living space. Some reports say that replacing an old garage door with a more energy-efficient model could decrease energy loss through your garage by up to 71%.
What is an Energy Efficient Garage Door?
A garage door that is energy efficient will have multiple layers of insulation. The two most common types of insulation you’ll find inside are polyurethane and expanded polystyrene. These doors can be single, double, or triple layered. There should also be excellent weather stripping to keep things sealed up well. And just because your updated garage door is energy efficient, that doesn’t mean it won’t look great. New garage doors can be made to match the current style of your home in various colors and textures.
When searching for a garage door, keep an eye out for the R-value. This indicates the amount of thermal resistance in the garage door. The higher the R-value is, the more insulation the door has, meaning it won’t be as likely to leak air.
Benefits of a New Garage Door
Keep The Temperature of Your Home Consistent
Older garage doors are not likely to have much insulation and may also have gaps around the edges. If you can see light coming in through the garage door, that means air is getting in too. In the summer, when hot air comes into your garage, it stays in the closed garage, and that heat can make its way into your home. During peak summer months, it’s likely that your garage will get hotter than it is outside.
Reduce Your Energy Bills
The heating and cooling costs for your home could be between 15-20% lower with a new garage door that is properly sealed and insulated. It is not uncommon for homeowners to have overlooked insulating their garage, but replacing your old door can make a difference.
Improve Curb Appeal
Although energy efficiency is the primary focus here, there is no denying what an updated garage door can do for your home’s curb appeal. Your old garage door likely has a few dings or scratches in it and it may be showing its age. Additionally, an old garage door may not be functioning properly anymore and you may need to replace the garage door opening mechanism as well for both safety and efficiency.
Talk to the Garage Door Experts
GP Garage Doors offer expert garage door repair and installation for residents of the Columbia, MO area as well as Jefferson City, Moberly, Fulton, and Boonville. We can help you choose the right garage door for your home that will be energy efficient and keep your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Visit the website or give us a call at 573-441-0021 today.