How Much Does It Cost to Run a Garage Door Opener?
A typical Garage Door Opener uses 500W and runs about 0.05 hours/day. At the national average rate of 16.72¢/kWh, that costs approximately $0.13/month.
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What Affects the Cost of Running a Garage Door Opener
Standby Power Exceeds Operating Power Over a Year
Each open/close cycle uses the motor for 10-15 seconds (about 0.002 kWh). But the unit's standby power (4-8W for the radio receiver and light timeout circuit) runs 24/7, using 2.9-5.8 kWh/month. The standby costs $0.50-$1.00/month while the actual opening/closing costs $0.05-$0.10/month. You would need to open and close your garage door 300+ times per month to match the standby cost.
Garage Door Opener vs. Alternatives
How the monthly cost of a Garage Door Opener compares to other options:
| Alternative | Est. Monthly Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Garage Door Opener (this page) | $0.13 | At national average rate, 0.05hrs/day |
| Modern opener (DC motor, LED) | ~$0.50-0.75 | Lower standby draw (2-4W). LED light uses less power than incandescent. |
| Older opener (AC motor, incandescent) | ~$1-2 | Higher standby draw. The 100W light bulb left on for 4 minutes per open uses more energy than the motor. |
| Manual garage door (no opener) | $0 | Free but requires physical effort each time. |
Garage Door Opener Cost by State
What a Garage Door Opener costs to run at 500W for 0.05 hours/day in every state:
| State | Rate | Monthly Cost | Yearly Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 14.82¢ | $0.11 | $1.33 |
| Alaska | 25.34¢ | $0.19 | $2.28 |
| Arizona | 13.81¢ | $0.1 | $1.24 |
| Arkansas | 12.63¢ | $0.09 | $1.14 |
| California | 31.41¢ | $0.24 | $2.83 |
| Colorado | 15.24¢ | $0.11 | $1.37 |
| Connecticut | 29.35¢ | $0.22 | $2.64 |
| Delaware | 15.24¢ | $0.11 | $1.37 |
| District of Columbia | 15.87¢ | $0.12 | $1.43 |
| Florida | 15.63¢ | $0.12 | $1.41 |
| Georgia | 14.12¢ | $0.11 | $1.27 |
| Hawaii | 43.21¢ | $0.32 | $3.89 |
| Idaho | 10.87¢ | $0.08 | $0.98 |
| Illinois | 16.37¢ | $0.12 | $1.47 |
| Indiana | 15.12¢ | $0.11 | $1.36 |
| Iowa | 14.23¢ | $0.11 | $1.28 |
| Kansas | 14.98¢ | $0.11 | $1.35 |
| Kentucky | 12.87¢ | $0.1 | $1.16 |
| Louisiana | 11.98¢ | $0.09 | $1.08 |
| Maine | 22.87¢ | $0.17 | $2.06 |
| Maryland | 16.12¢ | $0.12 | $1.45 |
| Massachusetts | 28.76¢ | $0.22 | $2.59 |
| Michigan | 18.76¢ | $0.14 | $1.69 |
| Minnesota | 15.34¢ | $0.12 | $1.38 |
| Mississippi | 13.76¢ | $0.1 | $1.24 |
| Missouri | 13.12¢ | $0.1 | $1.18 |
| Montana | 12.45¢ | $0.09 | $1.12 |
| Nebraska | 11.98¢ | $0.09 | $1.08 |
| Nevada | 15.03¢ | $0.11 | $1.35 |
| New Hampshire | 25.34¢ | $0.19 | $2.28 |
| New Jersey | 18.76¢ | $0.14 | $1.69 |
| New Mexico | 14.87¢ | $0.11 | $1.34 |
| New York | 22.87¢ | $0.17 | $2.06 |
| North Carolina | 13.98¢ | $0.1 | $1.26 |
| North Dakota | 11.87¢ | $0.09 | $1.07 |
| Ohio | 15.34¢ | $0.12 | $1.38 |
| Oklahoma | 11.98¢ | $0.09 | $1.08 |
| Oregon | 13.12¢ | $0.1 | $1.18 |
| Pennsylvania | 16.87¢ | $0.13 | $1.52 |
| Rhode Island | 27.12¢ | $0.2 | $2.44 |
| South Carolina | 14.98¢ | $0.11 | $1.35 |
| South Dakota | 13.76¢ | $0.1 | $1.24 |
| Tennessee | 12.87¢ | $0.1 | $1.16 |
| Texas | 14.98¢ | $0.11 | $1.35 |
| Utah | 10.87¢ | $0.08 | $0.98 |
| Vermont | 21.34¢ | $0.16 | $1.92 |
| Virginia | 15.34¢ | $0.12 | $1.38 |
| Washington | 10.76¢ | $0.08 | $0.97 |
| West Virginia | 13.12¢ | $0.1 | $1.18 |
| Wisconsin | 16.98¢ | $0.13 | $1.53 |
| Wyoming | 11.23¢ | $0.08 | $1.01 |
Energy-Saving Tips for Your Garage Door Opener
- Each open/close cycle lasts only 10-15 seconds; per-use cost is almost nothing
- Standby power (4-8W) is actually the bigger cost since it runs 24/7
- Newer models have lower standby draw than older units
- The light bulb left on after opening uses more energy than the motor itself
Frequently Asked Questions
The motor uses about 0.002 kWh per open/close cycle (essentially free). Standby power draws 4-8W continuously, costing $0.50-$1.00/month. The light that turns on after each open is actually the biggest per-event energy cost. An incandescent bulb staying on for 4 minutes uses more electricity than the motor lifting the door. Switch to an LED bulb for easy savings.
Unplugging saves $0.50-$1.00/month in standby power, but you lose the ability to use your remote or smartphone opener and any built-in security features. For most people, the convenience outweighs the $6-12/year savings. If you have a vacation home and will be away for months, unplugging makes sense.
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Electricity cost estimates are based on typical wattage and average residential rates from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Your actual costs may vary based on your appliance's specific wattage, usage patterns, and your utility's rate structure. See our full disclaimer.