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Electric Snow Blower Buying Guide

There s nothing quite like enjoying the view of an endless carpet of snow while sipping a hot drink by the window. On the other hand, clearing your driveway and pathways can be a huge task, unless you have an electric snow blower. Here is what you need to know to choose the right snow blower for your needs.

Is an electric snow blower suited for locations that receive heavy snowfall?

If your area gets light to moderate snowfall, an electric snow blower will provide the snow clearing power you need to clear your driveway and pathways. This is because electric snow blowers have an intake height of about 10 inches, which restricts their usage to moderate accumulations of snow.

What can I clear with an electric snow blower?

Electric snow blowers are best suited to clearing small driveways and pathways with ease and in no time. However, they are not particularly ideal for longer driveways unless you use an extension cord or a cordless electric snow blower. Also, the width of the auger (the component that scoops up the snow) ranges from 12 to 18 inches. Clearing up wider paths may require two rounds of cleaning.

My pathway is not paved. Should I opt for an electric snow blower?

If your pathway is not paved, or if it s covered with gravel, an electric snow blower may not be your best choice. The auger in electric snow blowers makes contact with the ground surface, so there is a danger that soil or gravel may get scooped up along with snow and thrown out of the chute.

What are the types of electric snow blower?

Corded electric snow blowers are low on maintenance compared to gas snow blowers. In addition, they start in a jiffy with the push of a button. They are much lighter in weight and tend to have a more compact design. However, they require an extension cord to move around large arees. The price of electric snow blowers ranges from $80 to $350.

Cordless electric snow blowers run on lithium-ion battery packs and don t require a power cord, giving you freedom for easy maneuvering. They are also more compact and lightweight than corded snow blowers. You have to make sure that the battery pack is fully charged, to be sure the battery lasts for the whole job. The price of cordless electric snow blowers ranges from $100 to $900.

Up to what amperage load are electric snow blowers designed?

Higher amperage allows using wider augers and taller intake heights to scoop up higher volumes of snow. Measure the width of your driveway/pathways and decide on the width of the auger. Also, find out the approximate height of snow accumulation to decide on the intake height. A taller intake height means you can let more snow accumulate before you head out to clear the snow.

Also note the rated load capacity of the breaker boxes installed in your house. You may end up with a blown fuse if you use a snow blower with higher amperage load than the rated capacity of the breaker, more so if you re running other appliances on the same breaker. Most breaker boxes are rated 20 amps.

What are some other features that are nice to have?

• Some electric blowers feature hand warmers to keep your hands warm while you re clearing up the snow
• Since winter days are short, look out for snow blowers with headlights to help you in the dark. Headlights are also available as optional accessories that can be added to your existing snow blower.
• A chute control feature helps move the chute in the direction you want to fling the snow
• Snow blowers with drift cutters cut through hard snow and ice effortlessly
• Speed control allows you to adjust the operating speed and helps you move your blower forward and backward with ease

Spend more time in your warm, cozy room than shoveling snow.