Last year, I delved into the idea of investing in a robot mower through this blog. To make an informed decision, I meticulously tracked my lawn maintenance efforts throughout the previous mowing season. Over the course of the year, I found myself engaging in this chore precisely 12 times. Typically, completing all yard work tasks—mowing, edging, and clearing clippings—takes me approximately 2 hours each time. While the actual mowing itself constitutes slightly over half of this time, to be fair to the potential benefits of a robot mower, I'll conservatively estimate a 75% time savings, presuming I can forego the need for blowing clippings with the switch. Thus, adopting a robot mower could potentially save me a total of about 18 hours of labor in a single year.
Considering the current market options, prices range from $700 at the lower end to $2100 at the higher end of what's reasonable. Given my experience with robotic vacuums, and the inherently greater risks associated with a mower, I'm inclined to lean towards the higher end options. Assuming a lifespan of around 2 years for a robot mower, the value of the time I would recover calculates to approximately $58.33 per hour—a figure that seems reasonable based on my salary.
However, there's another aspect to consider: the health benefits of manual labor. Spending a couple of hours every other week engaging in physical activity might actually be beneficial for my well-being. Let's be honest; I could use the exercise. So, while the allure of reclaimed time is enticing, there's a part of me that recognizes the value in the physical exertion and fresh air associated with tending to the lawn manually.
For now, I've decided to stick with what works, especially since my current gas-powered lawn mower is still operational. Perhaps when it finally calls it quits, I'll reassess the situation and reconsider the robot mower option or perhaps I might take a step backward and use a reel mower to further minimize my carbon footprint.
If I'm keen on further automating household chores to free up more time, I believe my money would be better spent upgrading my robot vacuum to one that also integrates a mopping function. I've been toying with the idea of modifying a washer pedestal to accommodate the docking station for such a device. This concept would expand upon the existing high-end options that are designed to be plumbed into both fresh and waste water pipes, offering a more comprehensive solution for maintaining a clean home environment.
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