4 Reasons to Ditch Gas-guzzling Lawn Equipment

Are you struggling to keep an attractive lawn in this blistering heat and season of drought? There’s no point in adding to your misery by using gas-powered lawn tools  that harm our air and environment. You may not know it, but small gas engines put high levels of carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, and other volatile organic compounds into the air. These later become smog – air pollution that reduces visibility and negatively impacts our health.

Electric lawn tools help reduce air emissions, and provide other advantages you can’t get from  traditional yard tools.

Here are four good reasons why swapping your gas-guzzling lawn equipment for environmentally-friendly electric lawn tools is a better choice for cleaner air, your safety, and even the family budget.

By switching to electric models, you can:

• Improve air quality & the environment.
• Improve respiratory health.
• Reduce risks of muscle strains & injuries.
• Take a break from maintenance.

Improve Air Quality & the Environment

Gas-powered lawn mowers emit hazardous air pollutants and carbon dioxide at a much higher rate than newer vehicles because they lack catalytic converters.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a single gas mower running for one hour emits the same number of pollutants as 11 new cars driving for 1 hour on the highway.

In San Antonio, there are more than 500,000 homeowners with a range of lawn sizes. Just imagine the amount of hazardous pollutants put in the air every time gas-powered tools are used.

By purchasing an electric or battery-powered mower, you are already making a significant difference since they do not produce any emissions.

Additionally, Americans are spilling large amounts of gas when filling up gas cans at the pump and refueling their gas-powered lawn tools. The EPA estimates more than 17 million gallons of gas are spilled every year from refueling lawn and garden equipment, which is equivalent to a large oil spill.

Improve Respiratory Health

Environmental experts say gas-powered lawn engines collectively use 800 million gallons of gas every year, producing 5% of the nation’s air pollution and considerably more in metropolitan areas. If we were to replace 500 gas mowers, this would spare 212 pounds of hydrocarbons, a smog ingredient, and approximately 1,724 pounds of carbon dioxide, which adds to global warming. That’s a reduction in air pollutants that cause irritation of airways, shortness of breath, asthma episodes, chest pains, coughing, and wheezing.

Reduce risks of muscle strains and injuries

Battery and electric equipment weigh less and are easier to maneuver than gas-powered lawn tools. Heavy gas-powered tools can take a toll on your back and legs, causing strains and even injuries, especially if they’re used for a prolonged periodof time. Lighter electric tools can prevent muscle strains that traditional models may cause.

Take a break from maintenance

You eliminate fuel costs and gas engine issues with electric models, such as fouled spark plugs and clogged-up carburetors. All that’s needed for electric and battery-powered lawn equipment is minor maintenance and a battery or a cord. Compared to traditional models, electric lawn tools are much easier to store and maintain. Also, no gas means no ignition source so it’s safer to store electric equipment.   

CPS Energy Mow Down Smog Rebate

At CPS Energy, we are committed to being environmentally responsible and helping our customers make changes that make sense and are doable now. That’s why we offer our Mow Down Smog Rebate, a program launched in 1998 to offer bill credits to customers who purchase electric lawn equipment.  

The rebate applies to electric and battery-powered lawnmowers, blowers, edgers/trimmers, hedge trimmers and manual push-reel mowers. You can qualify for the following rebates, which will appear as a credit on your CPS Energy bill:

• $60 for a cordless lawnmower or push-reel mower,
• $30 for a corded mower, and
• $15 for a string trimmer, edger, blower, and hedge trimmer.

To receive a rebate, just follow these steps:

• Purchase qualifying lawn equipment between March 1 and August 31.
• Print an application from our website at cpsenergy.com.
• Fill out the application and mail it to the address on the application.
• Include a copy of the receipt and UPC barcode from the packaging.
• Make sure your application is postmarked by August 31.

Using electric lawn equipment is a simple step any of us can take to improve air quality. It benefits our entire community. Let’s work together and help mow down smog for cleaner air!