If you’ve been to your local home improvement store lately, you may have noticed a growing inventory of electric lawn equipment on display. This equipment is nothing new, but advances in battery technology make it a more practical option for homeowners than ever before. Read on to learn how electric lawn equipment compares to its gas-powered counterparts.
Today’s electric lawn equipment is likely to be powered by a rechargeable battery pack. According to Consumer Reports, the average electric walk-behind mower’s run time is 45-50 minutes per charge, which is typically sufficient to handle the average American lawn size of around a quarter of an acre. For larger yards, there are several zero-turn riding mowers that have a run time of nearly two hours, which is enough to mow nearly two acres.
Electric lawn mowers are lighter than their gas-powered counterparts, which means they’re easier to maneuver, unload, and store. However, an electric-powered mower may not be as powerful as its gas-powered cousin, particularly with tall grass and overgrown brush.
There are some significant environmental benefits to making the switch to electric. The fumes from gas-powered exhausts are completely eliminated, and noise pollution can be reduced by as much as 20 decibels.
You’ll also find that electric lawn equipment is easier to start up after languishing in the garage or shed for the winter and doesn’t require a full tune-up at the start of the season. However, the battery pack should not be stored in extreme cold, and it will eventually need to be replaced.
Electric lawn equipment has fewer moving parts than gas-powered equipment, which means it’s easier and less expensive to maintain. You also won’t need to fill up gas cans or schedule oil and air filter changes, resulting in less downtime.
Electric lawn mowers are competitively priced, and Unitil’s Massachusetts electric customers may even be entitled to a rebate of up to $75 on qualifying equipment purchases.
Reduced noise and air pollution, easier maintenance, and enhanced maneuverability are all major benefits to making the switch. As technological advances continue to be made with regard to battery size, life, and power, electric lawn equipment will become increasingly more appealing to many homeowners.
Key Takeaways
- Today’s electric lawn equipment is likely to be powered by battery packs rather than extension cords, which makes them easier to handle and more convenient than their predecessors.
- Like their gas-powered counterparts, electric mowers are available in push, self-propelled/walk-behind, and riding models.
- Consider staying loyal to a single brand of electric lawn equipment. In many cases, their batteries are interchangeable.
