Many people have been asking their Garage Door Repair Technicians this question for ages. However, while the question may appear to be easy to answer, there is no one right or wrong answer. It is hard to put an expiration date on any garage opener just because it was manufactured by a particular brand, or cost a certain amount.

Many homeowners think about replacing their Garage Door Opener after an Average of 5 Years. Some may think about it but never get down to replacing it because their opener is working fine or until the opener starts giving trouble. That said, it is essential not to neglect your garage door opener’s life, especially if the garage door is something you and the family rely on.

So, we circle back to the original question, i.e. when is the best time to replace the garage door opener? How long does the average garage door opener last and why should you replace one? We’ll answer these and a few other questions in this article.

When Should You Decide to Replace the Garage Door Opener?

On average a garage door opener can easily last you 10 years. If it is taken care of with all maintenance procedures perform as needed, then it can last for up to 15 years. There are several factors that go into determining the life of your garage door opener, which includes the frequency of maintenance and its use.

If you are a homeowner who has a garage door opener that is nearing 15 years old, and you’re noticing that the garage door does not open and close smoothly, then get it replaced.

However, if you are opting to get a new garage door because the existing one is too old, then make sure to replace the opener too especially if you have had both for around the same number of years.

Upgrading the Existing Garage Door Opener 

Now even if your garage door opener is working perfectly and it isn’t anywhere near 15 years old, you may still want to replace it. One reason will be if the garage door is making noise.

It could be because there is something wrong with the opener’s motor, which will have to be replaced. But even if the noise is just a loud opener, you can buy something with a belt drive that’s a lot smoother and less noisy.

Some people may elect to upgrade their garage door to take advantage of the many safety and convenience features that a new door has to offer. Take, for instance, that older garage door openers used a fixed security code which was transmitted over an unencrypted system.

The codes could be intercepted by criminals, and that could be used to gain access to your home. So, if you have one of these older garage door openers, then you’ll want to upgrade to the newer ones that have rolling code systems whereby the code changes each time it is used.

Now if you have one of the older key-operated garage doors and not one with a keypad, getting one of the latest ones will help secure your home.

Another reason to upgrade is to take advantage of an outstanding modern feature called the MyQ system.

It is a smart garage door system that allows you to control the garage door using an app on your phone. The system makes it convenient and safe, and it one of the leading reasons why many people may choose to upgrade their garage door opener.

The ability to open the garage door remotely from anywhere in the world via an app, as well as the ability to receive text alerts each time the door opens and closes is invaluable. Most people often wonder what they ever did without this system in their home.

Do You Have the Budget for a New Garage Door Opener? 

The prices of traditional electronic Garage Door Openers have declined sharply. So, if you’re buying a traditional one, then the budget isn’t going to be much of an issue. However, if you intend to upgrade over to one with the modern features, then that will cost you more money.

Plus, you need to factor in installation costs. So, before you go out and buy the most high-tech garage door opener for your home, make sure that you have the budget so that the opener can be installed securely by a team of certified professionals.