Keeping You Informed with Linda Linfoot

L inda L infoot , Mortgage Professional

LAWN MOWERS: ELECTRIC VS. GAS

Whether you’ve just moved into a new home or are just in the market for a new lawn mower, there are two main walk-behind models to consider: electric and gas. Which one is better? That’s up to you to decide based on your needs, but here are a few helpful things to consider. Regardless of power source, consider the size and terrain of your yard when purchasing a lawn mower. Small yards with obstacles like trees, gardens, swing sets, etc., would be easier to mow with an electric mower as these mowers tend to be more narrow and lighter making them easier to manoeuvre around. Electric mowers are best suited for smaller yards as you won’t need as long of an extension cord if using a corded mower, or to charge your battery multiple times if it is battery powered. The lower power of the electric motor should also suffice if you have a small yard with few hills and generally even grass density.

Gas powered mowers are recommended for larger yards, hilly yards and thick, uneven grasses as they’re more powerful, larger and built a bit sturdier. Look for a self-propelled model as gas mowers are heavier and harder to push. As well as storing gasoline and oil, you’ll need to provide regular maintenance like changing spark plugs and ensuring the gas and oil are drained over the winter when the lawn mower is not in use. Some other differences between the two mowers to take into consideration are the decibel levels (electric mowers are quieter; gas are louder), environmental impact (electric are better for the environment), run time (electric will be shorter based on battery life), storage space (gas tend to be larger and you need a safe space to store the gas and oil), maintenance costs (electric mower parts are more expensive to replace) and overall life expectancy (gas lasts up to 10 years with proper maintenance and electric will likely be replaced after 5 years).

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