Choosing a gas snow blower or an electric snow blower is the best way to clear your yard and driveway of light or heavy snow. Snowblowers are excellent power tools to take the hard work out of winter maintenance. If you are thinking of buying a snow blower, you have two basic choices — buy a gas snow blower or an electric one.
But you may be wondering, are there any differences between a gas and electric snow blower apart from the power source? In this article, you will find out how to decide between buying a gas-powered snow blower and an electric one. Additionally, you will learn about the pros and cons of an electric model versus a gas snow blower.
What is a Gas Snow Blower?
A gas-powered snow blower uses an auger and a chute to lift and propel snow away from the area you are clearing. Also called a snow thrower, the blower typically has a single-stage or dual-stage design. A dual-stage snow blower includes an impeller to clear snow more efficiently.
Typically, gas snow blowers are self-propelled machines. They can clear snow up to 2 feet (60 cm) deep and 45 inches (114 cm) wide. Compared to electric snow blowers, gas-powered models usually remove more snow in a faster time.
What is an Electric Snow Blower?
An electrical-powered snow blower uses the same basic design as a gas-powered model. The auger rotates to propel snow up and out of the chute. Also, electric models come in a single or two-stage design to clean snow fast. The snow blower attaches to an electrical cord, limiting the size of area you can clear.
There are three types of electric snow blowers—an electric shovel, a corded snow blower, and a battery-powered cordless model.
The electric shovel is only suitable for cleaning light snow. It usually only can cope with shifting a few inches of snow and can clear a path up to 12 inches (30 cm) wide. Also, there are no wheels or chutes with an electric snow shovel. So, it can be hard work using an electric snow shovel.
Cordless snow blowers using rechargeable batteries are increasingly common. These cordless electric snow blowers use powerful lithium-ion batteries. Some of the best models are just as powerful as corded blowers. Their advantage is that there is no power cord to worry about. However, batteries tend to run down quickly, especially when clearing heavy snow in freezing conditions.
Gas Snow Blower vs. Electric Snow Blower — Pros and Cons
What are the advantages of a gas snow blower versus an electrical snow blower? To compare both types of yard maintenance tools, here are their pros and cons.
Gas Snow Blower Pros
- Sturdier than electric snow blowers
- Better for cleaning heavy, wet snow
- Traction is better in the snow because they are heavier
- Can clear more snow in one pass
- Easier to fix and repair than electric models
- More options than electric snow blowers
Gas Snow Blower Cons
- More maintenance is required to change fuel and spark plugs
- They are loud and emit fumes
- Bulkier and need more storage space
- Cost more than electric snow blowers
- Not Eco-friendly
Electric Snow Blower Pros
- Lighter and easier to maneuver than gas snow blowers
- Quieter and don’t emit toxic fumes
- Easier to maintain
- Better price point
Electric Snow Blower Cons
- Their lighter weight means there is less traction on slippery surfaces
- Limited by the length of cord
- Can’t clear as much snow as a gas-powered snow thrower
- Not ideal for wet snow, deep snow, or heavy snowfalls
The Best Features of Electric and Gas Snow Blowers
Both electric snowblowers and gas-powered snowblowers have their advantages. Depending on where you live and the amount of snow you expect, an electric model could be the ideal choice. Let’s look in more detail at what you can expect from each of these types of snowblowers.
Gas snow blowers are better if you live in areas where heavy snowfall is common. This is because gasoline engines are more powerful. So, with gas-powered snow blowers, you can cut wider paths and clear deeper snow with ease. In addition, you will find that it’s easier to clear a driveway or sidewalk with a gas-powered snowblower.
Electric snow blowers are ideal for clearing snow up to 12 inches (30 cm) deep. So, if you rarely get more than a foot of snow in a blizzard, an electrically powered snow blower is an excellent choice. The is also the environmental impact to consider. There are no gas emissions to worry about, and you don’t need to store flammable liquids on your property.
Difference Between Using a Gas or Electric Snow Thrower
Here are a few of the main differences between using a snow blower powered by gasoline or a corded snow blower using electricity.
Clearing snow
The significant difference between gas snow blowers and electric models is their snow-clearing capabilities. Generally, gas snow blowers clear twice the volume of snow. Also, there are fewer issues with a gasoline snow blower when trying to shift wet, heavy snow in icy conditions.
Robustness
Without a doubt, gas snow blowers are more durable than electric snow blowers. This feature is ideal if you get heavy snowfalls. However, a less expensive, lighter model means that buying a new electric snow blower is the best choice if you get light snowstorms.
Ease of use
A difference between electric snow blowers and gas models is their maintenance. There is virtually no maintenance with electric blowers. If you have a long enough cord, you can clear snow from your property with ease. However, with gasoline snow blowers, you need to maintain the engine regularly.
Impact on the environment
Electric snow blowers don’t burn fossil fuels and therefore have less environmental impact. Additionally, you don’t have to worry about breathing in potentially dangerous emissions while clearing your driveway, paths, or sidewalk.
Purchase and running costs
Generally, electric snow blowers are less expensive than gas snow throwers. A top-of-the-range electric model can cost the same as a mid-range gas snowblower. Also, with a gas-powered snow machine, you need to change the oil, buy fuel, and maintain the engine.
Gas vs. Electric Snow Blower — How to Decide Which Power Tool is Best
When choosing between a gas snow blower and an electric model, it’s vital to weigh up the pros and cons. The choice of electric or gas-powered usually comes down to these factors:
- Size of area to clean
- Typical annual snowfall
- Maintenance
- Budget
- Concern for the environment
If you must regularly clear heavy snow from large areas, a gas-powered snow blower is the best option. However, suppose you have a smaller property and don’t have severe blizzards. In that case, an electric snow blower is an excellent, cost-effective choice.