Why Leaf Blower Costs Matter
Leaf blowers are ubiquitous in suburban and municipal landscapes, yet information about their long-term costs and noise impact tends to focus on lawn mowers instead. Electric models promise lower maintenance and quieter operation, while gas units offer raw power and runtime. This calculator exposes the true annual cost of both options by combining purchase price, energy consumption, fuel costs, and maintenance. It also highlights the decibel gap so you can consider neighborhood noise ordinances or personal hearing comfort.
Electric blowers draw power directly from the grid or batteries. Their primary operating cost is electricity, measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). Gas blowers consume gasoline, producing exhaust and higher noise levels. By amortizing the initial purchase over a chosen number of years, the tool enables an apples-to-apples comparison. Many homeowners are surprised to learn that the higher sticker price of a gas blower is often compounded by fuel and maintenance expenses.
The cost formula for each blower follows a simple structure shown in MathML below:
Here T is the total annual cost, P the purchase price, Y the years of ownership, and O the annual operating expense. For the electric blower, O equals power draw times hours of use times the electricity rate plus maintenance. For the gas blower, operating expense is fuel consumption per hour times hours times fuel price plus maintenance. The tool computes both totals and reports the difference along with the noise delta.
Worked Example
Suppose you run a leaf blower for 40 hours each fall. An electric unit costs $120 and draws 1.2 kW. At a local electricity rate of $0.15/kWh and $10 yearly maintenance, the operating cost is 1.2 × 40 × 0.15 + 10 = $17.20. Amortizing the purchase over five years adds $24 per year, for a total of $41.20 annually. A comparable gas blower costs $200, uses 0.5 gallons of gas per hour at $3.80 per gallon, and needs $25 in maintenance. The fuel expense is 0.5 × 40 × 3.80 = $76. Adding maintenance and spreading the purchase price over five years yields $111 per year. In this scenario, the electric blower saves about $70 annually and produces 25 fewer decibels, a significant reduction in perceived loudness.
Scenario Table
| Usage | Electric Annual Cost ($) | Gas Annual Cost ($) |
|---|---|---|
| Casual (20 h) | 25 | 70 |
| Standard (40 h) | 41 | 111 |
| Heavy (80 h) | 73 | 182 |
The table demonstrates how operating hours dramatically affect the cost gap. Gas blowers scale poorly with heavy use because fuel and maintenance rise with every hour. Electric models, especially plug-in varieties, remain relatively inexpensive even at high usage levels, though very long extension cords or frequent battery replacements may add hidden costs.
Noise Considerations
Noise levels are measured in decibels, a logarithmic scale where each ten-point increase roughly doubles perceived loudness. In the example, a 25 dB difference means the gas blower can sound more than eight times louder to bystanders. Many municipalities restrict gas blower use for this reason. Electric blowers not only reduce neighborhood disruption but also protect the operator’s hearing, especially if ear protection is inconsistent.
Limitations and Assumptions
This calculator assumes a constant electricity rate and fuel price, yet both can fluctuate seasonally. It does not account for battery replacement in cordless electric models or the resale value of equipment. Fuel mixing for two-stroke engines, storage stabilizers, or the cost of hearing protection are also excluded. Still, the model offers a transparent starting point to evaluate which blower aligns with your budget and noise tolerance.
Related Tools
If you're also evaluating lawn equipment, see the electric vs gas lawn mower cost calculator for a detailed comparison of mower economics. Winter cleanup? The snow blower vs shoveling cost calculator covers cold-weather yard work decisions.