Preparing for Winter: Are Snow Blowers Worth It?

We all love the snow that comes with winter because of all the fun that follows. From ice-skating, skiing, to making plain old snow angels, we just cannot get enough of the snow! Unfortunately, since the same snow covers up indiscriminately, we also need ways to clear it and free up the blocked paths, sidewalks, and even clear doors blocked from opening. The question you are pondering over is, why would you choose a snowblower? Why not an electric shovel, a rake, or simply just hiring a contractor? These are just a sample of questions you can find in Snow Blower Guides. Take a look at the sections below as we try to help you answer some of them.

Maintenance and Initial Costs

Before partaking in any endeavor be it buying a product or service or taking a trip, the question we always ask ourselves first and foremost is, “what is my budget?” Snowblowers in all their varieties are generally more expensive to buy than other types of snow-clearing equipment. The more expensive a snowblower is, the more capable it is. Maintenance costs should also be kept in mind. For any equipment to last, it must be maintained appropriately so that its parts do not wear out or malfunction because of neglect.

However, once you buy one, you would be saving a lot in the long run since it is long-lasting and once winter is over, you only have to store it until the next time properly. Additionally, depending on the type of snowblower you have, you can use it for whatever snow conditions as compared to a tool like a shovel, which really won’t be of much use in case of deep snow.

The Do-It-Yourself Option

Some of us choose to hire contractors to clear up the snow. It is not a bad option to let the professionals handle it, and you create job opportunities. Nevertheless, what happens if your contractor is fully booked? Will you be tied down by your contactor’s schedule? Besides, what is wrong with saving a little cash for that treat you always wanted for yourself or someone else? Buying and keeping a snowblower handy not only gives you the option of saving but also gives you the opportunity to clear snow just the way you want it. For the perfectionists such as myself, it gets a bit infuriating or annoying when a spot is left undone, or the clearing is not even: so, we would rather have things done ourselves.

The Area You Want to Clear Up and The Amount/Type of Snow

How large or small is the area you want cleared of snow? What is the amount of snow, and is it compacted or deep? If you're going to clear up a small area, then buying a snowblower may be unnecessary. You should also consider the region you are in and distinguish whether there is usually a lot of snow or just a little snow. Moreover, you should check if the type of snow is compacted and easier to get rid of or deep and challenging. Equipment such as a shovel or an electric shovel would be more suitable and cheaper for a smaller area with little and compacted snow as compared to a snowblower.

Health Concerns

Snowblowers protect you from a variety of health risks here and there. They protect you from physical strain, which you would otherwise face when using a shovel. Physical strain leads to more issues such as throwing your back or hurting your shoulders. Most importantly, snowblowers significantly lower your chances of having a heart attack, which has been dramatically noted to occur in shovel users. By helping you finish the job fast, you are also protected from staying too long in the cold and acquiring any respiratory conditions. Other health benefits come with the use of snowblowers.

Ease and Convenience

Snowblowers are exceptionally easy to use. All you need to do is hold it in the area you want to clear and move it with the help of the wheels. Auto-turn varieties are also available, requiring even less input from you. They help you clear up snow faster than in comparison to other equipment. For that reason, you can complete a large area in a small amount of time and go about your normal activities. With it, you are also able to adjust it to clear up whatever type of snow, saving you the trouble of looking for a more suited snow-clearer for the job. All this also testify to its efficiency and convenience.

Conclusion

After reading the considerations above, do you think a snowblower is worth it? Your answer will largely depend on the number of factors you find relevant. It will also depend on whether a snowblower will meet all, if not most, of your conditions as per your desired expectations.

This article does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors or management of EconoTimes.