Keeping a backyard clean and green requires you to have a good lawn mower. If you are planning to replace your old mower, you can choose between a gas vs. an electric lawn mower.
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Gas Vs Electric Lawn Mower: What are their differences?
You will find about those as you learn their advantages and disadvantages below. This way, you will be able to find the suitable lawnmower for your yard.
Electric lawn mowers pro and cons
When you hear the words “electric appliances,” there are two kinds that will automatically come to mind: corded and cordless. The same is true with electric lawn mowers. One kind gives you unlimited power as long as there is a plug nearby. The other one gives you freedom of mobility. Now both the kinds have advantages and disadvantages.
Advantages
- Does not need to change spark plugs
- Does not require fuel filters
- Does not need oil change
- Does not need any gasoline
- Saves more money over time
- Less harmful for the environment
- Produces less noise
Disadvantages
- Corded lawn mowers can limit your mobility because of the cord
- Corded lawn mowers require you to be always near a plug
- You can only use a cordless lawnmower can for an hour or two because of the battery’s limited life
- Cannot mow thicker grass as clean as a traditional lawn mower can
- More expensive than gas mowers when bought
- You always have to watch for water when you use
Gas lawn mowers pros and cons
Gas mowers are known for their longevity. They can be passed from generation to generation as long as you are good at maintaining and fixing it. But aside from this well-known fact, there are other benefits that you will see in using gas mowers. Of course, there are disadvantages, too.
Advantages
- Easily cuts through any kind of grass—thick or thin
- Mobility is not limited to cord or battery
- Requires only a small amount of gas to mow a large area of lawn
- Proven to be more durable than electric mowers
- All gas mowers are heavy duty
Disadvantages
- Weighs more than a regular electric mower
- Produces loud noise while in use
- Needs regular engine maintenance to keep it in good condition
- More difficult to use because you have to start it with pull-start cords
- Emits harmful gas into the atmosphere, which could be carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide
In choosing between a gas vs. electric lawn mower, the following factors are the things that you have to consider.
Maintenance
Both gas and electric mowers require regular maintenance. The only difference is which parts of the mowers you need to maintain. For an electric mower, the side of the deck or under it has to be cleaned every after mowing session.
Aside from this, you also have to do periodic blade sharpening. Meanwhile, a cordless electric lawn mower needs a battery replacement after 5 -7 years. Like electric mowers, gas mowers also require cleaning and sharpening of blades.
However, you will have to fuel the mower more often. Aside from this, you also have to change engine oil when the mowing season starts, and clean the spark plug. To keep it running well, you should regularly clean air filters as well as carburetors so that they won’t clog.
Pollution
The two types of lawn mowers can both be harmful to the environment. However, gas mowers contribute more pollutants to the air because of their engines that emits greenhouse gases like carbon monoxide in the exhaust fumes. On the other hand, electric mowers produce none of this kind of harmful gas. Aside from this, gas mowers are also more disturbing because of the noise it creates. Electric mowers create noise that is around 70-75 decibels, while gas mowers create noise as loud as a motorcycle, which is 95 decibels.
Safety
In using either of the two kinds of mowers, you always need to be mindful of your environment. For a corded mower, it is necessary to watch where you mow and where your cord is. You don’t want to trip over the cord or cut it and get electrocuted. Gas mowers, on the other hand, can be dangerous when you are refilling fuel because this liquid is flammable. Be careful not to spill gas on the parts of the engine that are hot because it can result in a fire.