It's important to note, however, that a gas leaf blower, like any gas-powered tool, requires more maintenance than an electric model. Electric blowers, whether corded or cordless, are better for the environment. They have no emissions at the point of use, and they run far more efficiently.
In the past, people preferred gas-powered blowers for their power and efficiency. But recently, electric leaf blowers have become a popular choice. They offer convenience and are better for the environment while still performing well.
Battery-powered cordless leaf blowers have limited operating time, making them great for smaller, less frequent jobs. If you perform big jobs often, consider a corded model.
Petrol leaf blowers vs electric leaf blowers
While petrol is more powerful (though it releases smoke), electric models are lighter and cheaper. If you've a small garden, a corded electric blower will suffice.
They're also contributing to climate change — and they emit far more climate-warming pollution than you might expect.
Not only does the leaf blower itself create pollution, the force of wind it creates can spread materials on the ground like mold, leaf litter, dirt, yard chemicals, and animal waste up into the air where particles can trigger additional health issues like asthma attacks, worsening allergies or COPD symptoms.
Overview. Burning fossil fuels at power plants creates emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOX), particulate matter (PM), carbon dioxide (CO2), mercury (Hg), and other pollutants. These emissions can have serious health and environmental impacts.
Use nozzle attachments to reach high places. Do not use a leaf blower if you are tired or sick, taking medication, or if you have used drugs or alcohol.
Electric Motor Durability
Separate from the batteries, expect the electric motor inside a cordless leaf blower to operate reliably for about 3 to 5 years before any major issues arise.
How many MPH is good for a leaf blower? For most applications, a good MPH is around 110-200 MPH. Go for a higher MPH blower if you live in a wet climate and/or have particularly stubborn debris.
Walk-behind leaf blowers (also called push blowers) are designed for the heavy-duty landscaping jobs. They have the power to clear leaves and debris.
What is different between them: - Weight: 20v is amazingly light (especially when using a 2Ah battery). With 2x 4Ah nitro batteries the 40v is significantly heavier. The blowers themselves are same weight, it's all in the batteries.
Electric. It's probably no surprise that electric leaf blowers are quieter—after all, it's one of their big selling points. Of those in our ratings, electrics earn an average score of 2.9 for noise at the ear, while gas models average out to a score of 1.7. (The lower the score, the worse the noise.)
Depending on its intended use, a cordless leaf blower with a CFM between 400-700 should be powerful enough to greatly ease your fall yard chores. If you have a small yard with little debris, choose one with 200-400 CFM.
Gas-powered leaf blowers also expel fumes and pollutants like carbon monoxide. Both gas and electric blowers stir up particulate matter, dust, mold, pollen, and pathogen-containing bird and animal feces into the air that we (and insects and wildlife) breathe.
Ensure that the battery being used is within a normal temperature range. Batteries that are cold will have a decreased performance and could shut off under a large load. Attempt to run the blower at a lower speed for one minute and engage boost again.
Besides having zero emissions, electric leaf blowers have several other benefits. They're quieter than gas-powered tools. The smell of gas won't interfere with your enjoyment of the lovely autumn leaf smell. They're typically lighter and easier to manage than gas-powered tools.
Blower noise can impair gardeners' hearing. A blower measuring 70-75 dB at 50 feet can reach 90-100 dB at the operator's ear. OSHA requires hearing protection for noise over 85, and according to the World Health Organization, "there is an increasing predictable risk" of hearing damage from noise above 75 dBA.
Most battery blowers run for 20 to 100 minutes on a single charge, but some last for hours while others lose power after just a few minutes. With up to 5 hours of run time, the MAKITA CBU01 with a backpack power supply has the longest battery life.
The second train of thought is that mowing should be done last, after trimming and blowing. This method ensures that all the clippings/dirt that is tossed onto roads/sidewalks are picked up in the grass catcher of the mower and not laid out on the lawn.
The emissions from gas-powered leaf blowers, including the greenhouse gases carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide, contribute to air pollution and climate change.
Final Verdict. While the decision is ultimately up to you, if you're trying to be kind to the environment and the air you and others are breathing, rakes are a much better way to take care of your lawn.
Electric power generation is a significant source of toxic metals and other pollutants discharged into water bodies, as well as land pollution through the disposal of millions of tons annually of coal ash, which can contain contaminants like mercury, cadmium, and arsenic.
The most carbon polluting power plant in the United States is the coal-fired James H. Miller Jr. Electric Generating Plant in Alabama. The Miller Plant released roughly 18 million short tons of carbon dioxide (CO₂) in 2023.
The fuel source can be coal, natural gas, or nuclear fission, but the process is similar – and very inefficient. The majority of the energy that goes into a thermal power plant is vented off as waste heat. Additional minor losses come from the energy used to operate the power plant itself.