What to Consider When Buying a Stairlift

Adding a stairlift to your home will change your life, but it’s still a huge decision to make. You may find yourself trying to determine if it’s really worth it, but when it comes down to it, a stairlift will give you or a loved one a freedom that has seemingly escaped.

Once you’ve decided to purchase a stairlift, there are a few things to consider.

What Type of Stairlift Do You Need?

What is your staircase like? Is it indoors or out? Does it run straight or is it curved? These are all factors that will determine how your stairlift will be installed and what type you need. It also affects installation time and price, since curved staircases will take longer to install than straight ones.

Take note of how your home is structured and how the staircase is designed. This will help you when you talk to a stairlift company to get a quote.

What Safety Features Are Included

Anyone who is having trouble climbing stairs may also find themselves in danger on a stairlift without the correct safety precautions. To ensure their safety, it’s important that the stairlift be secure, both in installation and for the user.

Common features include a seat belt to prevent falls. The stairlift will also run slowly without jerking or sudden stops and starts that could unseat the user.

In addition, the stairlift should include a diagnostic display. If anything happens to the lift, it will pop up a code so you can call in a technician for a quick repair.

How Energy Efficient Is It?

The stairlift should be quite efficient when it comes to energy, but this depends on the lift. Most lifts run on a rechargeable battery that may be charged from time to time when no one is using the chair. If you’re looking for something that will still be green, ask about energy usage and find out if it has a standby mode to reduce power usage.

Is the Stairlift Easy to Control?

Finally, you need to ensure the stairlift can be managed by the person who needs to use it. The controls should be easy to use, even with limited mobility and should not cause additional pain to those with arthritis. You may also want a remote call button that will allow you to return the seat to your position if someone else has used it.

Test the stairlift out before your purchase. This will let you know if it works for you and will help with the purchase decision.

Are you looking for a good stairlift? Call Alfix for a quote today.