Switching from gas to electric leaf blowers

Gas leaf blowers pollute our air, are harmful to its users, and are a noisy disturbance in our neighborhoods. In 2021, Governor Newsom signed into law AB 1346, which bans the sale of gas-powered gas leaf blowers and other small off-road engines within California effective January 1, 2024.  As the Lafayette Environmental Task Force looks for ways we can transition from gas to electric leaf blowers as a community, residents are encouraged to educate neighbors and local gardeners on the benefits of switching to electric leaf blowers or rakes.

Code Compliance Call (925)299-3279 or email codeenforcement@lovelafayette.org

Electric leaf blower lending program

Have you considered trying an electric leaf blower?  Borrow one for free from the City of Lafayette! The city is offering two types of battery-operated leaf blowers for residents to borrow: a handheld blower and a commercial-grade backpack blower.

• Register for the City of Lafayette’s free electric leaf blower lending program registering online here (for the handheld blower), and here (for the commercial-grade blower).  Registration is free of charge and open to all Lafayette residents 18 years of age or older.

• Once the leaf blower of interest becomes available, you will be contacted by City of Lafayette staff to coordinate a pick-up time at the Lafayette Community Center.  Please be prepared to bring a current government-issued form of identification (e.g. driver’s license) to verify age and residence prior to checking out the equipment.

• The Agreement, Release and Waiver form must be completed and signed by the pick-up date.

• Take the leaf blower home and try it out for up to two weeks! 

• The handheld leaf blower kit comes with a cordless 56-volt electric leaf blower (EGO Power+ LB5302, 530 CFM), 2.5 Ah rechargeable battery (EGO Power+ 56V 2.5 Amp hours ARC Lithium-ion battery), standard charger, and educational materials.  The battery charger can be plugged directly into a standard household electric outlet.

• The commercial-grade leaf blower kit comes with a cordless 56-volt electric leaf blower (EGO LBPX8006-2, 800 CFM), two rechargeable batteries (EGO Power+ 56V BA5600T 10 amp Hours ARC Lithium-ion batteries), 560W dual port rapid charger, and educational materials.  The battery charger can be plugged directly into a standard household electric outlet.

• Return the leaf blower equipment to the Lafayette Community Center on-time, clean, and in good condition.

What are the benefits of battery-powered electric leaf blowing?

While the most eco-friendly way to move debris from pathways or turf is manually with a rake or broom, an electric leaf blower can save time.  Compared to gas-powered leaf blowers, you’ll experience the benefits of cleaner air, quieter running noise, lower maintenance, and possible cost savings.  

1. Cleaner air.  Gas leaf blowers combust fossil fuels, and as a result emit a range of hazardous pollutants, including but not limited to carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide (i.e. smog), formaldehyde, and benzene.  Breathing in these exhaust fumes and fine particulates has been linked to higher rates of cardiovascular disease, stroke, cancer, respiratory disease, neurological disease, and birth defects.  Electric leaf blowers are better not only for health reasons but also for the climate because they do not emit these toxic gasses.  

2. Quieter noise level.  While gas leaf blowers usually run at 80-100 decibels, which often result in hearing loss to its users over sustained exposure, electric leaf blowers run quieter at 60-70 decibels.  The models in these kits are specified to max at 65 decibels, which is equivalent to the sound level of a normal conversation. 

3. Lower maintenance.  Running a cordless leaf blower does require charging the battery between uses, but to run the leaf blower is quite simple since you can turn it on at the touch of a button.  Gas leaf blowers, on the other hand, require filling a gas can, tugging on a cord to start, as well as a maintaining a gas engine.  Carburetor fluids and engine degreasers, are also toxic and require special handling for disposal.  The gas engine may also have air filters, fuel filters, spark plugs, and carburetors which need to be maintained and replaced

4. Lighter weight and feel.  Handheld Electric leaf blowers are usually 5-10 pounds and vibrate very little.  The handheld blower available to borrow weighs 7.4 pounds.  However, the commercial-grade backpack blower weighs 16.3 pounds, and with both batteries comes to a total of 32 pounds.  In contrast, gas leaf blowers weigh 15-20 pounds, but they vibrate heavily which is harder on the user’s body. 

5. Cost savings.  Generally, gas leaf blowers are more expensive to purchase than electric leaf blowers.  However, if you expect to run electric leaf blowers at their highest power setting for most of its use, then you might need several battery packs, which can drive up costs.   There are also corded electric leaf blower models on the market, which are much lower in cost to purchase.

6. Powerful.  Electric leaf blowers are just as powerful as gas leaf blowers.  However, batteries may only last 10-20 mins if you are running at the most powerful setting the entire time.  The backpack blower in this kit can last up to 40 minutes on its peak TURBO setting with the two included batteries.  A suggested use of a cordless leaf blower is to use it on its lowest setting most of the time, and paired with a manual means (i.e. rake, broom, leaf sweeper) for the harder-to-move debris, such as wet leaves.  Corded leaf blowers are just as powerful as gas, except they are limited by the length of one’s extension cord!

Tips for successful leaf blowing:

1. A leaf blower is most effective for gathering the bulk of a lawn’s leaves into large piles, to be removed with a tarp or by hand.  Don’t blow debris into your neighbor’s yard, onto the street, or into a storm drain.  **Don’t expect to blow every last leaf off your lawn with a leaf blower.** 

2. Wear safety equipment, such as goggles and a mask, if you’re planning to operate the equipment in a dusty environment. Keep long hair tied back.

What are features to look for in a battery-powered electric leaf blower?

Power.  This can be measured in terms of cubic feet per minute (CFM) and miles per hour (MPH) of the air that is being pushed.  If you are wanting a serious blower, you’ll want both of these numbers to be high.  Gas leaf blower models can run between 350-700 CFM.  The handheld blower operates at variable speeds of 250 CFM, 400 CFM, and maxes out at 530 CFM and 110 MPH. The backpack blower kit operates at variable air speeds and maxes at 800 CFM and 190 MPH.

Battery option.  This is can be measured in ampere hours (Ah) and voltage.  The Ah is the amount of amperage/current that the battery can deliver (based on one hour).  A higher number means a higher energy charge, which is a good thing.  Voltage can be described as the power that pushes the current through the battery.  Again, higher the better.  The two measurements working together will help you find the watt battery capacity.  More wattage means the higher energy capacity of the battery.  The handheld blower includes a 56 Volt, 2.5 Ah Lithium-ion battery and standard charger, which will charge the battery from zero to full in 50 mins.  The backpack blower kit includes two 56 Volt, 10.0 Ah Lithium-ion batteries.  From zero, the included dual port rapid charger will fully charge the batteries in 160 mins.  Both EGO Power+ ARC batteries are compatible with all EGO Power+ equipment and show remaining battery life in 20% increments.

How much do electric leaf blowers cost?

Electric leaf blowers and lawn equipment are growing in popularity.  Hardware stores carry corded leaf blowers for as low as $45.  Cordless models can range $89-400, depending on power and battery capacity.  If you’re looking to purchase additional batteries, those can sometimes cost $200-500 alone.  

Vouchers to help local professionals

California’s Air Resource Board (CARB), in partnership with CALSTART, launched the Clean Off-Road Equipment Voucher Incentive Project (CORE) to accelerate the purchase of zero-emission off-road equipment in CA.  Point of sale vouchers are now available for small business landscape professionals to purchase discounted zero-emission lawn mowers, blowers, or other equipment.  Here’s how to participate: https://californiacore.org/how-to-participate-professional-landscape/ 

Gas leaf blower recycling

As long as there is no gas in the gas leaf blowers, you can retire your leaf blower at the following locations for free:

• Concord Recycling Center https://concordrecyclingcenter.com/recyclables.php

• Rapid Recycle https://rapidrecycle.net/ 

Battery recycling

Improper disposal of batteries can cause fires, putting people and property at risk.  Make sure to drop off your old batteries for free at a location near you (e.g. Home Depot, Lowes, Staples) or contact CalRecycle via 1-877-723-1297 to learn alternative ways to recycle batteries.  

Support

Electrification Resources

Interested in more electrification opportunities for your home or business?  Visit https://electrifynow.net/ and Lafayette’s Electrification web page at https://www.lovelafayette.org/city-hall/commissions-committees/environmental-task-force/building-electrification