I finally gave up on my gas lawnmower after last summer's heatwave

For years I used a cheap gas mower from Lowe's and just figured that was how it had to be. But last July when we hit 98 degrees for like a week straight here in Charlotte, pushing that thing around felt like I was making the heat worse. I could smell the gas fumes mixing with the hot air and it just clicked that I was literally adding to the problem. I looked up how much pollution those little motors put out and it's actually way worse per hour than a car. So I bit the bullet and got a corded electric mower for like $120, and honestly it's quieter and lighter than I expected. The extension cord is a bit annoying but I've got a small yard so it's fine for now. Has anyone else made the switch and noticed a difference in how the neighborhood feels during a heatwave?

2 comments

2 Comments

joseph_coleman1mo ago

making the heat worse" is a bold take, I'll give you that. I actually think the gas fumes and noise are part of why I stay with my mower, weird as that sounds. There's something about that loud engine and the smell that makes the heat feel earned, you know? Like I'm fighting the elements instead of just nimbling around with a whisper quiet cord.

ryan_clark401mo ago

You know what, I respect it. Different strokes and all that. But for me, the heat is already working double shifts. I don't need a lawnmower adding its own heat to the mix like its my personal sun. Plus Ive gotten zapped by the spark plug one too many times on my old Toro. That smell you're talking about is just straight up exhaust fumes. I'd rather save the "fighting the elements" feeling for when I flip over my gas grill in the driveway, thanks.