Having a beautiful lawn magnificently increases the value of your property. Lawns also provide functional space where you can relax and spend some amazing time during the weekend. As a matter of fact, you can even throw a home party or set up your wedding reception in your backyard. However, preserving the aesthetic value of your backyard calls for proper lawn maintenance. This is where lawn mowers come in.
A good lawn mower is one that is not only easy and convenient to use, it should be efficient too. But then again, lawn mowers vary widely in terms of their features, sizes, efficiencies, and most importantly, the fuel source. Speaking of fuel source, gas and electric lawn mowers are the two major options you can find on the market. The two options widely differ in terms of pricing, features, ease of use, eco-friendliness, and performance. This means that before choosing one, you’ll want to get familiar with some of their most common differences. You’ll want to assess the positives and negatives for each option before picking the one that works best for you. Without further ado, here are some pointers on what you should know about electric vs gas lawn mowers.
1. Fuel Source
This one is the most obvious difference. Electric mowers are powered by electricity whereas gas mowers are gasoline-powered. The source of fuel obviously affects the convenience of use as well as the operational cost. This means that the better option will depend on which one is cheaper in your area between gas and electricity. Also, corded electric mowers tend to limit mowing to areas near an electric plug or power socket.
2. Operational Noise
When it comes to operational quietness, electric mowers are clear winners. They produce very little operational sound compared to gas mowers that give out approximately 106 decibels. According to research, frequent exposure to sounds above 85 decibels could lead to hearing loss. Additionally, electric mowers tend to be less disturbing to your neighbors. With a loud lawn mower, it can be practically impossible to mow your lawn comfortably very early in the morning. This is unless; of course, you don’t have neighbors to worry about.
3. Performance
When it comes to performance, gas lawn mowers are clear winners. They tend to be stronger and more rigid. They can comfortably help you cut through thick and tall grass without strain or damage to the equipment. On the other hand, electric lawn mowers tend to be ideal for small areas of flat lawns. Battery-powered options will not limit your movement but rather, a limited usage time before you have to recharge the batteries.
4. Environmental Friendliness
The combustion engine in gas mowers produces emissions. Some of these emissions are composed of gases and substances that can be harmful to the environment. However, newer gas mower variants that produce lower emission levels are now available. Electric mowers, on the other hand, are greener and friendlier to the environment as they minimize air pollution.
5. Ease of Use and Maintenance
Electric mowers are generally easier to use. Most of them require only the push of a button to start. On the other hand, gas models require aggressively pulling a cord to start. Gas-powered mowers will also require you to refuel, change the oil, and perform frequent engine tune-ups. As for electric mowers, occasional blade sharpening is pretty much all the maintenance there is.
6. Safety
For starters, both electric and gas clippers pose a safety hazard to the user every time they operate the equipment. This is mostly because both mowers are equipped with sharp blades, which can cause injury in case an accident occurs. As a matter of fact, it is estimated that up to 70,000 users sustain injuries each year from lawn mowing. Moreover, the corded type of electric mowers could result in tripping over the cords accidentally during the exercise.
Gas mowers are not to be left behind either. These mowers run on gasoline and emit engine fumes that could be harmful to the user’s health upon inhalation. Additionally, fuel spills can happen, which also present toxicity hazards. In this case, cordless electric mowers tend to be a bit safer compared to the other alternatives. Nonetheless, it’s important to observe safety precautions each time you use a lawn mower regardless of type.
