An electric snow blower offers both advantages and disadvantages depending on the nature of the area a person must clear, because of the electric snow blower’s small size and low-to-the-ground design. An electric snow blower also is easier to start up than gasoline models and it often costs less to acquire. The location where a person will operate the snow blower is also a factor, with electric models needing to be near an electrical outlet, since an extension cord must plug into both the outlet and the blower.
Single-stage blowers have a single motor, while two-stage blowers have one motor to throw the snow and a second motor to power the blower’s wheels. Electric snow blowers, unlike gasoline-powered models, only come as single-stage models. With only one motor, the single-stage blowers weigh significantly less than the two-stage models. If a person must clear snow from a large area, an electric snow blower may tire the person out faster even though it weighs less, since that person must push the blower without mechanical assistance.
The area a person needs to clear snow from can also make using an electric snow blower either an advantage or a disadvantage. Single-stage blowers clear close to the ground, helping scrape snow off paved areas. This feature creates a hazard for gravel or unpaved surfaces, since the blower may pick up and throw rocks or other debris. Where an electric blower can be used is also dictated by the position of outside electrical outlets and the length of any available outdoor extension cords.
If money is important to a person looking to purchase a snow blower, then electric models present an advantage. An electric snow blower costs less to purchase, and depending on the price of gasoline versus electricity, they might also cost less to operate. Electric blowers also start up with less trouble than gasoline models and tend to break less often. When someone has little storage space, an electric model has a smaller footprint or takes up less space in a garage or storage shed, helping people avoid having to rent a personal storage unit for items displaced by a large snow blower.
Average snowfall for a region must also be considered, since this affects the amount of snow a person typically must clear from an outdoor area. Electric snow blowers, along with single-stage gasoline models, can regularly handle snow fall that sits eight inches or lower. If the average snowfall in an area exceeds eight inches, a gasoline-powered two-stage snow blower will handle the snow accumulation much better.