Operators with Battery Backup - Are They Worth It?

It's been around for a few years but garage door operators with battery backups seem to be getting more popular (at least from the manufacturers side of things). Most of the major garage door operator manufacturers either have a battery backup opener in their lineup or have one coming out soon. But are the consumers buying them? A few I guess but enough for the companies to keep them in production? That's a question we'll have to revisit in a couple of years.

Back on topic - is it worth it to buy a garage door operator with a battery backup? That depends. For me...no, it's not worth it. In the last five, no make that 10 years I can count on one hand how many times the power has gone out. And when it did go out it was usually in the middle of the night - no need for me to be opening the garage door. But even if I did have to open the door it wouldn't be a big deal. I think this is where people get talked into buying a battery backup unit - "Do you know what to do if the power goes out?" "Will you know how to open your garage door?" "Do you know how to lock your door if the opener isn't hooked up?" - These are all valid questions but it doesn't mean you need a battery backup. You just need to educate yourself a little bit about your garage door and opener.

So when would a battery backup opener be worth it? There's two reasons to have one: A) You don't mind spending the extra $75 - 100 for the convenience or B) You're older and/or you don't have the physical capabilities to disengage the opener and work the door manually. In these cases I do believe that the battery backup is worth it. Keep in mind that it is a battery and will eventually have to be replaced. The battery may last 5 - 7 years and cost $50 - 60. But you are receiving peace-of-mind that if there is a power outage you won't have to worry about getting out of the garage.

Before you buy an opener with a battery backup ask yourself one question - will I benefit from having a battery backup?