Are you looking for dependable driveway gate openers that help cut down on your electric bill? If so, you may be interested in learning more about solar-powdered openers, such as the LA412UL from LiftMaster.
In this article, we’re taking a closer look at how you can save energy with a solar powered driveway gate.
Why An Automatic Gate?
Before you even think about buying a gate, you need to think about whether you want an automatic or manual gate, as there are benefits to both. Manual gates need to be opened by hand, while automatic gates can be opened by the touch of a button.
A manual gate is chosen by a lot of homeowners because they know it will always work, even in power outages. They’ll also pick it if they don’t need to open and close the gate every day. A manual gate is also a better option if you don’t want to dig up your driveway to put power lines down to it.
An automatic gate, on the other hand, has a lot of benefits. Firstly, you’ll never have to get out of your car in order to open the gate. Many gates will operate on a similar system to automatic garage doors, opening when you have the right remote control or code. They also allow for more security, as you can add key codes to the gate. That way, no one is getting in unless they know the code.
How Solar Powered Gates Work
A solar-powered gate is almost the same as their regularly powered counterparts. Instead of being wired for power, they are instead using a solar panel to collect power, in order to move the gate when needed. A solar power unit can be used with almost any type of gate, such as rolling gates and wing gates, meaning you’ve got plenty of choices when it comes to the gate you choose.
The power voltage of the gate will depend on what you’re using it for. Most light use or residential gates use a 12-volt system, which is more than powerful enough for your needs. If you need it for heavier use, such as in a commercial setting, then you can buy a 24-volt system which will give you the power you need.
There’s no worry about using your gate at night, too. The solar power system will include a solar battery. The panels will collect solar power and store it in the battery, so you can even use your gate when it’s dark outside.
Benefits of a Solar Powered Driveway Gate
So why use a solar powered gate, rather than a regularly powered one? There are several reasons why you should consider it:
Cost-effective
When you use a powered gate, it’s not going to use an awful lot of power. However, it is going to add to your energy bills. When you use a solar-powered gate, you’re using free sunlight as energy, so it’s not going to cost you a thing. Those savings will add up in the long run.
Environmentally friendly
This is the reason a lot of homeowners are going to look into solar-powered gates. These days, everyone is trying to reduce their impact on the planet. As solar power is free and endlessly renewable, it’s hard to find a more ecologically friendly way to power your gate.
Quick and easy installation
When having a regular gate installed, you’ll need to think about how it’s going to be installed. You’ll most likely have to dig up part of your driveway in order to put down power cables, creating a mess and extra expense in repaving the drive itself. A solar-powered gate doesn’t need any of that. It just needs to be linked to a solar panel, making it much easier to hook up and get working.
Place the solar panel in any position you like
The solar panel for your gate doesn’t need to be right by your gate. If you’re worried about aesthetics, then you can place the panel somewhere that’s out of sight, but able to get enough sun for the solar panel to work.
Get tax credits
Depending on where you live, you may be able to get tax credits for installing a solar-powered gate. In some cases, this can be up to 30% of the cost. It’s well worth looking into tax credits, to see if you can get some money off.
Don’t worry about outages
If the power goes out in your area, then that’s not going to be a problem with a solar-powered gate. Thanks to the storage battery, you’ll be able to use the gate no matter what.
What To Consider Before You Buy Your Solar Powered Gate
There are a few things you’ll need to think about before you buy your solar powered gate. Firstly, do you get enough sun on your property? You need about 5 hours of strong sunlight in order for a solar-powered gate to work as it should. If you don’t get this, then you’ll need another option for your powered gate.
Solar panels need a little extra upkeep, so you need to be willing to do this. This means cleaning the panel and positioning it correctly. If you’re happy to do this, then a solar panel is going to be right for you.
Finally as mentioned above, solar-powered gates work best with residential properties, as they’ll see lighter use. If the gate is going to be in use every day, all day long, you may need a heavier duty powered option.
There are all kinds of reasons why you’ll want a solar-powered driveway gate. It’s environmentally friendly, cheap to operate, and it ensures your gate will open and close properly. You’ve got a lot of choices when it comes to a solar-powered driveway gate, so you can pick the one that’s right for your home.
Conclusion
Now that you know more about saving energy with a solar powered driveway gate, you can decide whether it’s the right solution for you. If so, the LiftMaster LA412UL may be the driveway gate opener you’re looking for.
To learn more, please feel free to get in touch. We’re here to help gu