When considering your home’s energy efficiency, the majority of homeowners will think about high-efficiency appliances, insulation, and energy efficient windows and doors. What many people fail to realize is that investing in an energy efficient garage door can make a significant difference to the overall efficiency of your home. Energy-efficient garage doors can help you reduce your utility bills, lower your carbon footprint and increase your home’s value, making it a smart investment.
How Garage Doors Can Impact Energy Efficiency
Your garage door has more of an impact on your home’s energy efficiency than you probably realize. They can play a major role in the cost of heating and cooling your home. Your garage door is most likely the largest opening in your home so a garage door without proper insulation and sealing can have a significantly negative impact. Uninsulated garage doors or doors with a minimal amount of insulation can drastically affect the temperature. The door will allow for more air leakage, meaning that there will be greater heat loss in the winter and more heat gain in the summer. If your garage is attached to your home, this can make it more difficult to maintain the temperature inside your home as the air from the garage will seep into living areas. This will cause your HVAC systems to work harder than they should need to, leading to more expensive utility bills.
Saving Money with an Energy-Efficient Garage Door
While there is of course the initial cost of upgrading your door to an energy-efficient model, you will notice the benefits. As discussed, an energy-efficient garage door will help to regulate the temperature even inside your home, ensuring that your HVAC systems are not overworked. As we experience extreme temperatures in the Toronto area, very cold winters, and hot summers, this will reduce your heating and cooling costs. Another bonus is that since your HVAC won’t need to work as hard, you can reduce its wear and tear and even extend its lifespan. This can possibly save you money on potential repairs and replacement costs of your HVAC system. The savings you can reap from investing in an energy-efficient garage door can even pay for the door itself within just a few years.
Increased Property Value
Installing an energy-efficient garage door can boost the resale value of your home. Potential homebuyers are more commonly looking for homes that have energy efficient features which will make an energy-efficient garage door very attractive. Energy-efficient home upgrades have one of the highest return on investments and estimates show that you can potentially get up to 90% of the cost of your garage door back when selling your home.
In addition, a new energy-efficient garage door will improve your curb appeal and aesthetically enhance the exterior appearance of your home. Plus, a new garage door that looks well-maintanced can let potential buyers know that the home is well taken care of.
What Makes A Garage Door Energy-Efficient?
Energy-efficient garage doors are made with materials that offer better insulation than just a thin piece of metal or wood. They are often 3-layer, meaning that insulation, normally polystyrene or polyurethane foam, is sandwiched between the outer and inner layer of the garage door. This layer of insulation will greatly reduce heat transfer that occurs. Here are some things to look for when purchasing an energy-efficient garage door:
Insulation
Polystyrene or polyurethane foam will reduce the heat flow, helping to maintain the garage temperature. Insulation is rated by R-value which is a measurement of its ability to resist heat traveling through it. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation.
Weatherstripping and Seals
Weatherstripping around the edges of the door and a good bottom seal will reduce the drafts, as well as moisture that makes its way into your garage.
Quality Materials
Steel or fiberglass garage doors with a layer of insulation tend to be the best choices as they perform better than other options such as aluminum and wood.
In conclusion, don’t overlook the garage door of your home when it comes to energy efficient upgrades. A good quality energy-efficient garage door will assist with temperature regulation, prevent drafts, and reduce your energy consumption, meaning lower energy bills! If you are looking to upgrade your garage door for aesthetic reasons, or for practicality, an energy-efficient door is without question the way to go!