Electric Snow Throwers (Snowblowers)

Have a short driveway? Don't get much snow? Consider electric snow throwers (snowblowers), an alternative to gas-powered snow blowers. With electric, you spend more time on snow blowing, but less on maintenance, starting up the equipment, and finding a place to store it away later! You'll also spend less money for electric snow throwers. However, as you'll see below, gas-powered snow blowers have distinct advantages over electric snow throwers.

Pros

Cons

Electric snow throwers offer a tempting alternative -- but only for some folks. If you have a short driveway and live where it doesn't snow much, then I envy you, because electric snow throwers (snowthrowers) could be right for you. If your driveway is under 100'-150', you don't have to worry about their main limitation: namely, that straying more than 100'-150' from the power source reduces the juice too much. Of course, the cord gets in the way, a drawback gas-powered snow blowers (snowblowers) don't have. Also make sure you get an extension cord intended for outdoor use; and even then, use common sense in dealing with electricity. There are always trade-offs when comparing electric equipment to gas-powered counterparts. On the plus side, with no gas or oil to worry about, your electric snow thrower will be maintenance-free. Because they're light-weight, anyone can handle an electric snow thrower. The small size virtually eliminates storage problems, a major concern for homeowners with limited space (remember, snowblowers take up garage, basement or shed space all 12 months of the year). However, being less powerful than gas-powered snowblowers, this equipment is meant for snowfalls only up to 6". Heck, where I live (New England), that's just a dusting! To compensate, you can make multiple passes over snowfalls that exceed 6". Or, if this sounds like too much work (and it does, to me), narrow down your search to gas-powered snowblowers.