If you’re in the market for a new lawnmower, leaf blower or trimmer, consider going electric. You’ll love how quiet they are and your neighbours will appreciate it, too.
By Tom Rataj
The growing season is now in full swing with flowers blooming, trees and shrubs budding and flowering, and lawns coming to life. Many of us have already gotten to work preparing our properties for the summer days ahead, and are excited about spending lots of time outdoors.
Much of this preparation and maintenance relies on powered yard-care machines, typically lawnmowers, string-trimmers, and leaf blowers. All these machines have traditionally been powered by gas, but corded and cordless electric models now dominate retail selections for many enticing reasons.
Air Pollution
All the gas machines are big air and noise polluters. A typical 3.5 HP gas lawnmower can produce the same amount of smog-causing pollution in an hour of use as driving a gas car for 550 km! Gas string-trimmers and leaf-blowers aren’t any better. Gasoline also releases toxic emissions and always presents an environmental and fire hazard.
Noise Pollution
All of these small gas machines are also extremely noisy and disturb the peace far from their point of use. A gas lawnmower can generate as much as 100 dB of noise, which can cause hearing loss. Gas string-trimmers and leaf blowers are almost as noisy.
Alternatives
Clean, quiet and zero-emission electric yard-care machines to the rescue! Corded electric models are the cheapest option, but are tethered with a long extension cord. Battery-electric machines are pricier and have all the freedom of the gas models. Although more expensive than the corded ones, many decent models can be found in the same price range as middle-of-the-road gas models.
The latest battery technologies provide excellent power and run time allowing users to tackle a typical Centennial-sized property on one charge. Their performance can be on par with gas models, easily tackling typical conditions with power to spare.
Electric lawn mowers are 50-75% quieter than gas models, producing only a mild hum. Electric string trimmers and leaf blowers are also substantially quieter, although to a lesser degree.
Batteries
At the lower end of the market are 18V batteries with 4.0Ah of power/endurance, while the higher end batteries will have 40V or even 60V power and 10Ah endurance. Bigger is better in this case. String trimmers and leaf blowers don’t need as much power as a lawnmower so 18V / 4.0Ah is perfectly adequate.
Batteries can be fully charged in less than an hour and are easier and safer to manage than gasoline. They also last for years.
So, if you’re in the market for a new lawnmower, leaf blower or trimmer, consider going electric. You’ll love how quiet they are and your neighbours will appreciate it, too.