Lawn Care Equipment

Gas or diesel powered lawn and garden equipment like mowers, leaf blowers and weed trimmers can have serious negative impacts on the environment and public health.  Their emissions include carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), Nitrogen Oxides (NOX), Particulate Matter (PM) and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). 

Lawn maintenance equipment contributes substantially to non-road emissions of VOCs.  NOx and VOCs, when in contact with heat and sunlight, produce ground level ozone pollution.  The American Lung Association reports that even short term exposure to ozone pollution can lead to cardiac issues, pulmonary disease and death.  Besides being a nuisance, the noise produced from some gas and diesel powered leaf blowers can exceed levels known to cause hearing damage in the ears of the operator and up to 50 feet away.

Alternative options to gas and diesel powered lawn and garden equipment  includes electric plug-in and rechargeable models.  Electric lawn care equipment is comparable in performance, with few exceptions, and has many advantages over gas or diesel, such as health benefits, and lower operation and maintenance costs.  Electric lawn and garden equipment is also quieter and produce zero emissions, which is safer for the operator and the community.

In addition, electric lawn care equipment is less noisy.  Some municipalities are banning the use of gas and diesel powered lawn equipment, such as leaf blowers, during certain times of the year.  There are even some landscaping companies that are making the switch to electric equipment.

Purchasing an electric lawn mower, blower, and/or weed trimmer can save you money while being beneficial to the environment and your neighbors. 

REBATES & INCENTIVES

PSEG-LI is offering REBATES on eligible electric lawn equipment (mower, leaf blower, weed trimmer).

For more information:

National Emissions from Lawn and Garden Equipment (pdf)

ALA State of the Air Report for Suffolk County