So… how does one find time to blog, write software, learn new technologies, meet client deadlines and still spend some time with family? I don’t claim to have it down, but I know one thing: I have to be ruthless about saving time.

I originally had a nice high-tech timesaver I’d planned to write about today, but given today’s snow squalls, plans have changed for everyone around here, and I just have to write about one obvious, low-tech timesaver first.

It’s not quite three in the afternoon as I write this, and my next door neighbours, who are in their late 60’s or early 70’s, are out snowblowing their driveway for the third time today. No, it’s not that they’re neat freaks… we’ve just had that much snow come down.

When I did our driveway this morning, I was so grateful for the little Toro PowerCurve 1800 electric snowblower that my wife and I got ourselves for Christmas. That’s right, I said electric… but this is not some little “electric power shovel” or “electric broom”, it can really hurl.

I know, there’s nothing new or Web 2.0 about snowthrowers… but I post this in case there’s anyone else out there like me, who put off getting one because you assumed an expensive, pollution-belching monstrosity was your only option.

When we first moved here over five years ago, into the heart of Ontario’s snow belt, our neighbours looked at us like we were crazy when we said we didn’t plan to get a snowblower. I’d had a gas-powered monster before and just hated it. The smell, the hassle, the pollution… I’m a programmer, not a small engine repairman.

For five years I got some nice winter exercise, sweating it out and cursing the snowplow as he went by. But with a growing toddler and a growing business, we knew that time would be more precious than ever this winter. When we saw a couple of electric models in the stores, we finally made the leap.

I was worried that an electric snowblower would be underpowered. Both models had 12-Amp motors, but the Toro had a narrower 18″ cutting width and a lighter, mostly plastic body, so that’s what we went with. Far from underpowered, this baby is overkill 90% of the time, and even on snow days like today, it’s plenty powerful.

And it’s far quicker than shoveling, so it saves me time and helps me do a better job. When I see the plow coming, I have no fear, because I know I’ll make short work of that mountain at the end of the drive without risking my back.

Now sure, I have to fuss with a long extension cord, but that’s no big whup. Two advantages of a small electric unit more than make up for it:

• The Toro has a grab handle on the main body, as well as the long push handle. Together, these allow me to pick up the unit and shave a top layer off of the truly deep snowbanks. It’s that light — I’m no bodybuilder — and it works like a charm.
• Snowblowers by their very nature get snow in their nooks and crannies that can thaw and refreeze and damage the unit if you start it up frozen, shearing pins or tearing belts. The Toro is so compact and light that I can carry it in the front door and let it warm up for an hour before I do the driveway. I don’t have to, but it’s nice preventative (read: maintenance-avoiding, time-saving) measure that you would never want to try with a stinky gas-powered unit.

If you’re thinking of buying a snowblower, try out an electric one, you won’t regret it. And if you’re like me and don’t want a snowblower because they stink and they’re a pain in the keister, go electric. It’ll save your back and heart and it’ll save you $300 or $600 or $1600 compared to a gas model. Not to mention you’ll never need to buy gas for it.

I’ll get back to technology next time around… now, though, it’s time to wade back out into the white stuff.

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