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Electric lawnmowers are a more recent invention than gas-powered ones and have many benefits. One of the main selling points of electric lawnmowers is that they are much quieter than gas-powered ones. But just how much quieter are they?
Electric lawnmowers are about 30 dB quieter than gas-powered models. Gas-powered mowers can be as loud as 110 dB. This is about as loud as a freight train passing by. On the other hand, electric lawnmowers usually have a noise level of around 70 dB.
An electric lawn mower is the way to go if you have noise-sensitive neighbors. In this article, I’ll discuss how much quieter electric lawnmowers are than gas-powered ones. I’ll also talk about some other benefits of electric lawnmowers.
Why Electric Lawn Mowers Are Quieter Than Gas
Electric lawnmowers are quieter than gas-powered ones for a few reasons:
Electric Lawn Mowers Have No Engine
Engines produce a lot of noise. They have pistons that move up and down and valves that open and close. All of this movement creates a lot of noise. Electric mowers don’t have an engine. Instead, they have an electric motor.
This doesn’t move up and down like a piston. It just spins. This spinning motion is much quieter than the up-and-down motion of a piston. The lack of an engine also means electric mowers don’t need oil.
This is another plus because oil can add to the noise of a gas-powered lawn mower. Oil needs to be pumped through the engine.
Gas-Powered Mowers Use Controlled Explosions
Gasoline engines work by igniting a mixture of gasoline and air. This causes a small explosion in the engine, which in turn powers the pistons. The explosions are loud, so gas-powered mowers are often quite noisy.
The more explosions that occur, the more power the engine produces. Electric mowers work a little differently. Instead of using gasoline, they rely on electricity to power the motor. This means that there are no explosions taking place inside the engine.
Electric Mowers Have Quieter Blades
While the engine is what makes the most noise on a gas lawn mower, the blades also add to the overall sound. Electric lawnmowers generally have blades that run more quietly than those gas models.
Electric motors create less vibration than gas engines. This is because electric motors run more smoothly than gas engines, which have pistons that fire up and down. (source)
The lack of vibration means that the blades on electric mowers can be made out of lighter materials like aluminum. This also makes them more efficient, as they can spin faster without vibrating.
These blades are less likely to produce the high-pitched screeching sound often associated with gas-powered mowers.
Electric Mowers Are Easy To Maneuver
The quieter motor on an electric lawn mower makes it easier to maneuver. You can also hear the motor running, so you know when to turn it off. The engine noise often drowns out other sounds with a gas lawn mower.
This can make it difficult to tell how hard you work on the mower. As a result, you may find yourself going too fast and making too much noise.
With an electric lawn mower, you can better control your speed. This is because you can hear the motor running. If it’s getting too loud, you can slow down. This makes it easier to find a balance between power and noise.
Additionally, electric mowers are lighter than gas models since they don’t have engines. The lack of an engine makes them more compact and easier to store. This makes them easier to push and turn. An electric lawn mower will be much easier to maneuver if you have a small yard than a gas model. (source)
Electric Mowers Use Sound Dampening Materials
Electric mowers have sound-dampening materials that help to muffle the noise. These materials help absorb some of the noise produced by the electric motor.
Some of the most common sound-dampening materials include:
- Foam
- Rubber
- Cork
- Felt
These materials are often used in the handles and body of electric mowers; they help reduce the mower’s overall noise level. Gasoline-powered mowers do not typically have any sound-dampening materials. This means that they can be quite loud when they are running.
Electric Mowers Run At Lower Speeds
Electric lawnmowers tend to run at lower speeds than gas-powered models. This helps to reduce the overall noise level. Some electric models have a speed control feature. This allows you to choose how fast or slow you want the blades to spin.
This is a great feature if you have a smaller lawn and don’t need the mower to run at full speed. The slower the blades are spinning, the quieter the mower will be. Gas-powered lawnmowers typically have one speed. This means that they will run at the same speed, no matter what.
Benefits of Using Electric Lawn Mowers
In addition to being quieter, electric mowers have several other benefits. These benefits include:
Environmentally Friendly
Electric mowers are much better for the environment than gas-powered models. They don’t produce emissions. Emissions from gas-powered lawnmowers can be harmful to the environment. (source)
Gas-powered lawnmowers typically use more energy since they aren’t as efficient as their electric counterparts.
Easy To Start
Electric lawnmowers are very easy to operate. You just need to push a button, and they will start. On the other hand, gas mowers require you to pull a cord to start them. This can be difficult, especially if you have never used one before and the engine is cold.
No Need for Gas or Oil
Electric mowers don’t use gas or oil. This means that you don’t have to worry about buying these things. Gas and oil can be expensive and can be difficult to find if you live in an area that doesn’t have a lot of gas stations – and it can be frustrating when the lawn mower powers off halfway through your lawn.
Less Maintenance
Electric mowers require less maintenance than gas-powered models. You don’t have to worry about changing the oil or spark plugs. Plus, you don’t have to worry about those darn issues with the carburetor getting dirty.
Read my article Do Electric Lawn Mowers Need Regular Servicing? to learn more about lawn mower servicing.
These are larger commercial size push mowers but you should really watch this short YouTube video demonstrating the noise difference between gas and electric. It really drives home the point!
Final Thoughts
The quietness, easy maintenance, and environmental friendliness of electric lawnmowers make them a great choice for those looking to upgrade from gas models.
If you are looking for a lawn mower that is easy to operate and doesn’t require much maintenance, then an electric mower is seriously worth considering.
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