At a time when almost all aspects of our home are intertwined with technology, including the garage, there are many options for making the normal home experience better. From smart lighting that can activate with ease, to locks that can be accessed through your phone, it has become the norm in many households. Here in Gillette and Spearfish, WY, many homeowners are finding that smart garage doors can add safety, comfort, and convenience to their daily lives throughout their homes.
Let’s take a deeper dive into what smart garage doors are, how they operate, and why they could be your home’s next big upgrade.
What Is A Smart Garage Door?
Smart garage doors can be connected to your home’s Wi-Fi or Bluetooth which allows the homeowner to either open, close, or check-in on the status of the door from any location. In newer systems, the connectivity to a smart garage door loosens the burden of using a hand-held remote, to open or close the garage door, and instead uses an app like myQ® or Aladdin Connect® to control what had otherwise been managed at home with a hand-held device using your smartphone, tablet, or in some cases, from your car.
Another appealing benefit of these newer systems is the ability to provide voice function with Smart Assistants like Alexa, Google Assistant, or Apple HomeKit, just to name a few. For example, you could say to your Smart Assistant, “close the garage” and the task is taken care of in the immediate. A homeowner could be in town or halfway across the state and have the peace of mind that the garage door is closed and secure.
Why Homeowners Enjoy Smart Garage Doors
1. Easy Remote Access
In a hurry to get to work in Gillette, and forgot to close your garage door? No problem! Just simply open your garage door app to close it from anywhere. If you need to grant access to a delivery person, friend, or pet sitter, just give a quick tap and they are in!
2. Real-time Alerts
Smart garage doors will let you know when your garage door opens or closes and if you leave it open too long, you will know that too. You can always check on your garage door, so if you are home in Spearfish, your property is monitored and secure!
3. Hands-free Closing / Opening
When you are carrying groceries or tools, it is useful to not have to press a button. Instead you can notify your voice assistant to close or open the garage door for you!
4. More Security
These systems add not just convenience, but a security feature to your home. It has access to remotely monitor your garage, create passcodes for guests and set up a time your garage closes automatically! Certain models have built in cameras or motion-sensing lights to enhance security too!
5. Energy Efficiency
If you have a heating or cooling system in your garage, an open garage door can be a waste of that energy. With a smart opener, you easily can close it right from your device. You can even schedule it to open and close, which is more energy efficient and provides extra safety.
What You Should Know If You Are Thinking of Upgrading
There are great benefits to a smart garage door, but here are a few things to think about:
1. Wi-Fi Reliability
Since the smart device depends on your internet, a slow connection or interruption may impact control of the app. Your wall button and back-up remote will still function as normal though.
2. Cost
Buying smart openers is more than a traditional garage door opener, generally prices start around $200 and go up to around $500. However, the convenience and peace of mind is probably worth it, especially for busy parents in Wyoming.
3. Cybersecurity
Like any connected devices, it’s important to change the passwords and be sure the software is up to date. Newer brands such as LiftMaster® and Chamberlain® typically use encrypted networks and secure cloud circuit to keep your information safer.
General Maintenance Guidelines
Your garage door opener is a worthwhile investment and works tirelessly for you every day to open and close your garage door. To extend the life of your garage door opener and keep it performing in peak condition, try the following maintenance tips:
Look for signs of wear, rust, and loose bolts on the hardware — and make necessary repairs.
Check the balance and alignment of the garage door once a month to prevent making the opener work harder than necessary.
Check the safety reversal system at least once a year to ensure it responds correctly if it strikes an obstacle while closing.
Lubricate the garage door opener’s moving parts — including the garage door springs and rollers — every 1-5 years using a silicone-based lubricant.
Some of the smart systems we use today (like LiftMaster®’s myQ Diagnostics®) will even alert you of reliability issues during normal operation to help you know when to call in a technician.
The Next Phase of Smart Garage Door Technology
Smart garage door systems are a rapidly changing component of your home security system. Smart garage doors get stronger with implementing more advanced security systems, quieter openers, and increase energy efficiency each year. Garage door openers with DC power are beginning to appear on the market because they use less energy and operate better, while at the same time integrating with vehicles and other smart home systems is becoming easier to do.
Next phase development will be based on sustainability and automation. Despite accelerated product development, smart garage door systems will be more relevant today and in the future in Gillette, Spearfish, and all parts of the world.
Before You Go
Smart garage doors alter the ways we interact with our homes. They merge convenience, safety, and energy savings into one sleek system. Whether you want easier access, control, or better security in your home, a smart garage door opener is a worthwhile upgrade that makes life easier.
Seamless Systems helps homeowners in Gillette and Spearfish, WY, find a garage door solution and install it, from smart openers of various manufacturers to a new garage door altogether.
Reach out to Seamless Systems for all of your smart garage door needs and make your home smarter today!
