Door closers are a type of door accessory fitted to a door system. They control the speed and direction of the swing, ensuring the door closes safely and does not hurt anyone. They are usually installed with automatic door operators.
There are two major types of door closers, low-energy and high-energy. Basically speaking, the low-energy type moves slower and requires less force, while the other motions faster, needing more force, and is ideal for high-traffic surroundings.
Learn more about their differences in this comparative guide, discussing:
– The purpose of door closers
– Low-energy vs. high-energy door closer
– Things to consider when choosing door closers
Door closers are installed to carry out these objectives:
The biggest use cases of door closers are:
The low-energy type is primarily used for environments that do not encounter high traffic, so the speed of the door opening and closing does not have to be rapid. For instance, these doors are necessary to keep people with disabilities and patients in hospitals safe.
On the other hand, the high-energy type is designed for high-traffic surroundings, such as commercial spaces and industrial facilities when fast door opening and closing are required to prevent underproduction. They are used for office buildings, warehouses, and malls.
As their names imply, low-energy closers for doors use little force when the door needs to be closed, so they are suitable for situations that do not require a significant amount of resistance, while high-energy closers deliver a much higher force level and quicker closing speeds, ensuring that even if door movement is rapid, the people around are safe.
The speed of the low-energy type is slower and more controlled, so it provides smoother and quieter opening and closing, reducing the risk of slamming.
Meanwhile, high-energy closers are known for their quicker closure speeds and stronger force, which is why heavy-duty, high-traffic applications require them.
If you want to avoid incurring high electricity bills, choose to install the low-energy door closer. They are relatively more energy-efficient because they do not require high mechanical energy in order to operate. In other words, they are designed to minimize your carbon footprint.
Meanwhile, the high-energy door closer requires more energy for efficient operations, so they may have higher energy and maintenance costs.
The low-energy type is for environments with the elderly and disabled individuals, so high-energy closers for doors should not be found here as they quickly open and close. The latter is only for facilities with high traffic, such as a grocery store’s meat section and the door to a restaurant’s kitchen area. To boost this safety advantage, they may be installed with a low-energy door operator and high-energy door operator, respectively.
High-energy closers for doors are more expensive than the low-energy type because they are built to handle higher forces and more frequent use.
Considering asking yourself the following questions when shopping for a door closer:
Once those questions are addressed, you must assess whether the door closer matches the door you have, are suitable for the traffic your area receives, ensures the door can be opened safely and closed consistently, guarantees no door slamming, and is cost-effective.
Low-energy and high-energy closers for doors are hugely distinct. You cannot use a high-energy closer for areas that actually require the low-energy type, or you will compromise your safety.
At the end of the day, your decision may also depend on building regulations, insurance providers, or safety audits that may influence which door closer is right for your property.
For door closers that comply with the highest industry standards, consider getting them from Oude, a leading manufacturer of top-notch door closers that are a product of a strong collaboration between stakeholders in mainland China and Hong Kong. Contact them now to see what they have in store for you.
