Top 5 Reasons to Switch to Electric Tools
July 21, 2022 | Author: Alex Lepp
Wondering if electric tools make sense? I made the switch, and I won’t be going back. Read on for my top reasons to drop the gas and convert to electric.
1. Noise
2. Universal Battery
3. Push vs Pull
4. Weight
5. Convenience
I will not be comparing specific brands or making recommendations, but I’ll outline why switching to electric tools is totally worth it.
I bought a house, and all of a sudden, I was responsible for the appearance and quality of my yard. It was an opportunity to start fresh, choose my tools, and design my plan of action. The choices were endless and often difficult to directly compare. Thankfully, I had a family member who takes his lawn and his research very seriously. He gave me his electric mower, because he bought himself a newer, cooler model. From there I decided to electrify and bought a chainsaw and will eventually purchase my own hedger, trimmer, and blower. Bottom line, I was sold, and gas was gone.
Top 5 Reasons to Electrify Your Tools:
1. Noise
We have all been there. It is a beautiful day, you are hanging outside with your friends/family etc., maybe reading a book or meditating, and your neighbor fires up the good old gas lawnmower. Or maybe you work from home and the landscapers come with their fleet of super mowers, providing background noise for all your meetings. Point: electric mowers are much quieter than gas mowers and, I found the same to be true with the rest of the tools I tested. Thus, keeping my new neighbors happy. Check out a noise comparison between a gas and electric blower. Back to top
2. Universal Battery
Most electric tools give the option to purchase a battery with the tool. I already had a 2.5 Amp battery with my mower, but when I bought my chainsaw, I opted to include the 5.0 Amp battery. Tip: Stick with the same brand of tools and your batteries are interchangeable, allowing you to pull the battery out and pop it into another. Also, I have not had to use more than the 2.5 Amp battery on any given day of yardwork, so I probably did not need to get the 5.0 Amp, but it is nice to have back up.
Electric tool batteries and chargers.
3. Push vs Pull
If you are reading this article, it is likely you have used a pull cord tool at one point. It’s always a 50/50 chance, it starts. Or, maybe you will have to pull it three more times, then again you might have screwed up one of the four previous steps. With a push start, you push a button, complete the work, the end. No chokes, no valves, no ifs. Undoubtedly a friendlier and safer user experience.
Push start chainsaw.
4. Weight
I do not hit the gym every day, therefore this is as equally important to me as performance and functionality. If you are planning an all-day lawn and yard beautifying session, trust me, weight matters. Because electric tools have no need for a gas engine/tank, they are much lighter, which is also a safety bonus. The battery weight is much less than a tank of gas. No one wants to feel fatigued holding a chainsaw. Need more evidence these tools are lighter? Check out the hedger demo video. Back to top
5. Convenience
When I moved into my house, the previous owner left me a gas-powered push mower. The pull cord was in bad shape, I decided I would take it down to the recycling center. To drop it off I had to empty the gas and oil, which required I purchase pans and hoses – what a hassle. Comparatively, with electric tools there are no:
- Trips to the gas station
- Gas cans to store
- Seasonal emptying of tanks
- Gas to oil ratios to monitor
- Filters or spark plugs to replace
Electric mower folded up nicely to save space.
To summarize, swapping out gas for electric tools provides additional ease, safety, and convenience. They are just as, if not more, capable than their gas-powered counterparts. Finally, it is worth mentioning the cost savings, cents/kWh vs dollars/gallon. Next time you embark on a day of yardwork, remember these reasons, and make the switch to electric. Your neighbors will thank you for the peace and quiet.
Also check out my electric power tool portfolio articles and demo videos below!
Blower, Chainsaw, Hedger, Mower, Trimmer
Energy Consultant
Alex Lepp is an energy consultant and certified Renewable Energy Professional (REP) with more than 13 years of experience in retail generation markets helping homeowners, businesses, and communities save on electric.