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, paired with decreasing costs, are winning over consumers looking for comparable utility and versatility. The use of electric equipment is also quieter and better for the environment than the alternative.
Consumers and home builders alike are seeing the benefits of electric appliances to increase energy efficiency and savings. Whether choosing a traditional electric stove or an induction stovetop, both options 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 a flame, will reduce indoor air pollution and 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 market trend of smart home technology and automation (think Alexa directing a Roomba to vacuum).
Tools and equipment traditionally powered by small gas motors now have electric options using plug-in batteries. In the past few years, technology in battery storage has advanced significantly. 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.]
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 is often quieter, allowing the user to listen to music or their favorite podcast while performing outdoor work. On the horizon, autonomous lawnmowers (similar to robotic vacuum cleaners) will be 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 the generation increase of renewable energy, so equipment that uses electricity will have a diminishing environmental impact over time. Overall, it is quite the hat trick––improving efficiency, quality of life, and helping the environment.
