I replaced my gas-powered lawn mower with an electric one six years ago. I hated that gas mower and every other one I've owned. They were cranky and loud, and I did not enjoy breathing fumes as I mowed the lawn.

I was aware of electric mowers but knew little about them. After doing some research, I decided to take the risk and buy one. I'm never going back. The electric mower is quieter, cuts better and has plenty of power to handle an overgrown lawn. Since then, I've bought an electric snowblower and electric chainsaw – both great decisions.

My experience with electric yard equipment was a revelation. You might say that the electric mower was my gateway drug to bigger electrification goals. I've since installed solar panels and a heat pump water heater. I've also weatherized my house to ready it for a heat pump system.

When you invest in big-ticket, big-impact home electrification projects, you want to feel comfortable about the risk. Electrifying my yard was a confidence booster that helped me overcome reluctance to try bigger things. Buying an electric lawnmower or snowblower is a relatively small investment, and most people don't realize how capable these products are. Arm yourself with the right information, and the decision to replace a gas-powered tool with an electric one becomes much easier.

Here's what you need to know when considering electric yard equipment:

Corded or cordless

My experience is primarily with cordless equipment. I've used a corded chainsaw and have a corded hedge trimmer. Every time I've used them, I worry about cutting the cord. So, my advice is focused on cordless options.

Corded equipment is much less expensive and can perform as well or better than battery- or gas-powered counterparts. The trade-off is that you need to be close to a power outlet or willing to wrestle with a long extension cord. If you have a small yard and trust yourself to keep the sharp parts away from the cord, the corded option might be the most practical and certainly would be the cheapest.

Performance

The biggest question for me was whether there would be a performance trade-off with my electric mower. There wasn't. In fact, it performed better, especially on taller grass. Gas engines can bog down on an overgrown lawn, forcing multiple passes. My electric mower automatically senses when the grass is denser and increases speed.

Cost

This includes original purchase price and cost to operate. Electric equipment tends to be a little more expensive, and this is mainly due to the cost of the batteries. Mine is a push mower, and I paid about $100 more than I would have for a gas mower. The difference would be more for an electric riding mower because they use more and larger batteries. A quick scan on Amazon shows the difference can be as much as $2,000. The premium I paid for my electric chainsaw and snowblower was between $100 and $200.

You need to compare that to operating and maintenance costs, which are much lower for electric equipment. Besides never having to buy and store gas for them, maintenance costs are minimal for electric yard equipment.

Durability and reliability

Construction quality of electric equipment varies from brand to brand. For example, the wheel bearings on my electric mower fell apart after a few years. They were pressure-fit into the plastic wheels and inadequately secured, giving too much room for them to move and loosen. I was able to make the repair on my own. The plastic scraper bar on my snowblower gives me pause. I would have preferred steel, but so far it's holding up fine.

Take the time to read the online reviews of any yard equipment you are considering. They usually can tell you the weak points of any brand or model.

Maintenance

Blades and other cutting edges on electric equipment still need to be sharpened, but electric motors don't require regular maintenance like oil changes. You still have to pay attention to any moving parts to keep them operating properly. For example, the controls for the chute on my snowblower will bind if I don't keep them clean. It's also a good idea to keep the battery compartments free of dirt and debris.

Battery replacement would be the biggest maintenance cost. I've not yet had to replace a battery and have seen little or no degradation in their ability to hold a charge. It might just be luck, but I do take care to store the batteries in a warm, dry location as the manufacturers recommend.

User experience

You will want to know how owning and using electric equipment compares to their gas counterparts. Much of this involves the power source. How often will you need to change batteries? How many batteries should you own? What should my routine be to store, charge and rotate batteries?

This is difficult to assess without using the equipment on your property, but I can give some general advice. You want at least two batteries. Some models are sold with two. If not, the second battery is often cheaper if you purchase it with the equipment. Standalone batteries for my equipment range from $100 to $350, depending on capacity and amp/hour ratings. Charging times range from 30 to 60 minutes depending on size, in my experience, so keep unused batteries charged. It's annoying when you have to stop what you're working on to wait for the battery to charge.

Take your yard and your own physical abilities into account when choosing models and features. I opted not to get a self-propelled mower and snowblower, for example. I wish I had for the snowblower, as it's a real workout pushing it to clear heavier snow.

Have a plan for when you use your electric equipment. The biggest electric snow blowers can handle up to a foot of snow, so for bigger storms, clear the snow in stages, not letting it reach more than six or eight inches. My lawn covers most of an acre, so I do that in stages, too, but mostly to save my legs and not the battery.

I hope my advice has encouraged you to consider an electric option the next time you need to buy or replace a piece of gas-powered yard equipment. It’s not just about being better for the environment. You might well be happier with the results and experience of going electric.

Michael Nadeau is a member of the Peterborough Renewable Energy Project.