Garage door openers have today become an essential part of the homes across California. Thanks to the evolving technology and higher service standards of the 21st century, garage door openers continue to improve in terms of both efficiency and longevity buy Why are some garage door openers not available in California?
The new units are capable of lifting heavier weights and responding more reliably to remote-controlled commands. However, alongside all the improvements there also arise attendant concerns over matters such as health, security, and energy consumption.
Energy Efficiency and Energy Consumption
Accordingly, certain garage door openers might not be available in California because of rules and regulations laid out by bodies such as the California Energy Commission (CEC). The CEC designed measures to encourage energy efficiency and reduce energy consumption by garage door openers.
Thus, not only are some garage door openers not permitted to be installed in the state, but certain manufacturers may decide from the outset to simply not distribute certain models in California because they cannot be certain of meeting the new and more demanding energy efficiency standards. Such interdiction may be directly related to levels of power consumption, or even to standby power requirements. It is therefore fair to say that some consumers across the Golden State may find themselves limited to a degree in the range of garage door openers on offer.
The importance of battery backup
It is also important to mention the new laws pertaining to battery backup. According to requirements laid out by Senate Bill 969 and signed into law by Governor Brown, automatic door openers without battery backup must no longer be sold in the state. The rationale behind this new legislation is that a backup battery will allow a garage door opener to operate even if power is lost. The law now applies to any automatic garage door sold in California after July 1, 2019, and includes a $1,000 fine that will be levied for each violation.
Garage door openers not available in California - Laws to save lives
Sadly, in the Northern California wildfires of 2017, at least five people lost their lives because garage doors would not open due to loss of power. In such scenarios, homeowners can get trapped in their homes or be unable to drive their vehicles out of their garage to get away from the danger. Although it is possible to open electric doors during a power outage, this may prove difficult for the elderly, the infirm, or parents with children or pets.
Know your garage doors and what to do in emergencies
· The safety release device: this is usually a red cord that hangs down inside the garage and allows you to manually disconnect the opener from the door itself. For those who are physically challenged, battery backup becomes ever more important in the event of power outages.
· Check your battery levels: it can be very useful to know if your battery is well-charged or if it is close to running out. We recommend unplugging the opener to test the backup battery (but don’t forget to plug it back in again!).
· Know how to replace your battery: some systems will require the battery to be replaced every 1-2 years. One way to do this is to check whether the red LED light is illuminated.
Whether you are based in garage door repair Tustin or elsewhere in Garage door repair Orange County, your security and peace of mind will be greatly enhanced by relying on professionals such as the specialists at Orange County Garage Doors. For services including garage door repair and garage door replacement, choose solid workmanship that is always aligned with the latest laws and specifications in the state of California.