If you listen carefully, you can hear a quiet transformation happening. Electric appliances and equipment are becoming more popular than ever among consumers.
Advancements in technology and battery power, coupled with decreasing costs, are winning over consumers looking for comparable utility and versatility. A bonus is that using electric equipment is quieter and better for the environment.
Inside the home, consumers and homebuilders are turning to electric appliances to increase energy efficiency and savings. Whether a traditional electric stove or an induction stove top, both are significantly more efficient than a gas oven. That’s because conventional residential cooking tops typically use gas or resistance heating elements to transfer energy with efficiencies of approximately 32% and 75%, respectively (according to ENERGY STAR®). Electric induction stoves, which cook food without any flame, will reduce indoor air pollution and can bring water to a boil about twice as fast as a gas stove. Robotic vacuums are also gaining in popularity. Fortune Business Insights attributes the growth and popularity of robotic vacuums like Roomba to a larger market trend of smart home technology and automation (think Alexa directing a Roomba to vacuum).
More tools and equipment with small gas-powered motors are being replaced with electric ones that include plug-in batteries. In the past few years, technology in battery storage has advanced significantly. Hand-held tools with plug-in batteries can hold a charge longer and offer the user the same versatility and functionality as gas-powered tools. For DIYers and those in the building trades, national brands such as Makita, Ryobi, and Milwaukee offer electric versions of their most popular products, like drills, saws, sanders, and other tools. In addition to standard offerings, consumers can now purchase a wider array of specialty tools that plug in, such as power inverters, air inflaters, and battery chargers.
A case in point is the increased use of electric-powered tools and equipment, with more national brands offering a wider selection, including lawnmowers, leaf blowers, string trimmers, and snow blowers. The quality of zero- or low-emissions lawn equipment is also improving.
Electric equipment also requires less maintenance, and often, the most significant task is keeping it charged. In addition, electric equipment is quieter, so you can listen to music or your favorite podcast while performing outdoor work — something that wouldn’t be possible with gas-powered equipment. On the horizon, autonomous lawnmowers (similar to robotic vacuum cleaners) will be seen dotting outdoor spaces.
Another benefit of using electric appliances or equipment is that, by virtue of being plugged into the grid, the environmental performance of electric devices improves over time. In essence, electricity is becoming cleaner through increased renewable energy generation, so equipment that uses electricity will have a diminishing environmental impact over time. This is quite a hat trick — improving efficiency, quality of life, and helping the environment.
