But while grilling is clearly energy efficient, is it eco-friendly?

Is grilling better for the environment than cooking inside with your oven?

The answer depends on where your energy is coming from. And for your grill, it depends on what type of fuel source you are using.

A grill running on natural gas is the most energy efficient and environmentally friendly way to barbecue—it is even better for the environment than using electricity!

The one exception, of course, is electricity from renewable energy sources. You can’t beat zero emissions!

What’s the best grill option?

Beyond being eco-friendly, your ideal grill should also be reasonably priced, as well as easy to find and operate. Therefore, the easy answer to this question is still natural gas grills: they are widely available, easy to use, and incredibly eco-friendly.

In terms of availability, ease of use, and price, the only real competitor to the natural gas grill is the tried and true charcoal briquette grill. However, since we’re trying to measure eco-friendliness, the charcoal grill ultimately falls flat.

Both grills certainly have their fair share of pollutants, but charcoal also has some nasty volatile organic compounds and particulate matter such as byproducts that will pollute the air around the grill. These emissions can lead to health problems if inhaled, and they can even damage the ozone!

Cleaner alternatives?

There are also a few alternatives to gas and charcoal grills that offer varying levels of energy efficiency and eco-friendliness.

Pellet grills, for example, run on compressed wood nuggets and burn more efficiently and cleaner than charcoal grills. The catch, though, is that they require a small amount of electricity to operate.

There are also renewable energy grills that can cut your emissions down to zero! The GoSun Stove is the perfect example: it collects solar energy from the sun and stores it in an internal battery that can be used at a later date. The one downside to this brilliant design: it doesn’t have a flat, wide surface like conventional grills and is therefore not the best option for getting that char on a hot dog or burger. But you’ll be able to rest easy knowing that you’re helping the environment!

Have you bought your seasonal grilling supplies yet? If not, make your next purchase through our Star Energy Rewards app and receive cashback!

The post Eco-Friendly Grilling: Should You Choose Gas or Charcoal? appeared first on .

But what is the most energy efficient way to mow your lawn? Should you get an electric lawn mower, or should you get a conventional gas-powered lawn mower?

Electric

Electric mowers are good for the environment because they don’t create greenhouse gas emissions, like their gas-guzzling counterparts. In the long-term, you will likely find that an electric lawn mower is actually cheaper than a gas lawn mower. This is because many of the little costs that will make a gas mower expensive over time (such as purchasing gasoline, spark plugs, fuel filters, oil, etc.) are eliminated or greatly reduced. Even though electric mowers are more expensive initially, you will save money over time with an electric mower, making them a solid investment.

However, they do have their drawbacks. There are two main varieties of electric mower—corded and battery-powered, each of which raise a different obstacle. Corded models have a limited range, which makes them impractical if you have a large lawn. Battery-powered mowers, on the other hand, generally don’t have a long battery life, usually requiring a recharge after roughly an hour. This, too, can make mowing a large lawn troublesome.

Finally, electric mowers simply aren’t as powerful as gas mowers. So, if you expect to cut especially thick grass, opt for a gas mower.

Gas

Gas mowers are known as the reliable, go-to option for many families’ lawn care needs. The main advantages of choosing a gas lawn mower are their familiarity, the availability of parts and trained maintenance professionals, and their cheap initial price. As mentioned above, the little costs can make gas mowers more expensive in the long-run; fuel costs, while ultimately not that high, as well as spark plugs and other maintenance do add up over time, though you’ll experience it in a less painful way, since it will be spread out over a long period of time.

Which should you choose?

So in the end, which kind of mower should you go with?

It depends on your financial situation and lawn care needs, but here’s a good rule of thumb to follow: if you have an incredibly small or incredibly large yard, stick with a gas mower. However, most sizes in between could benefit long-term from an electric mower. The rationale is: with a small yard, it will take a long time to notice the actual savings of having an electric mower, while a larger yard will be a hassle with an electric lawn mower.

Looking to learn more about the subject? Find out more about the pros and cons of electric and gas lawn mowers here.

Considering investing in a new lawn mower? Make your purchase through our customer loyalty program, Star Rewards, and receive cash back with your purchase! Click here to learn more about Star Rewards.

The post Gas Lawn Mower vs. Electric Lawn Mower: Which Has Better Energy Efficiency? appeared first on .