Viewer Tip: If just 10 percent of the estimated 65 million garage-owners in the United States cut idling by five minutes per day, we’d save about 84.5 million gallons of gas in a year! Remember that driving your car is the best way to warm it up. Excessive idling can actually damage your car’s engine, but frequently restarting the engine has little impact. Cut-down on idling even more by turning off the engine if you are sitting in a drive-through or school pick-up line for more than 10 seconds – 10 seconds of idling uses more fuel than restarting the engine.

This information is provided by Living Lands and Waters.  Learn more at www.livinglandsandwaters.org.

(Sources: California Energy Commission Consumer Energy Center: Should I Shut off the Motor When I’m Idling my Car? 2006-2011.  http://www.consumerenergycenter.org/myths/idling.html; Rogers, Elizabeth and Thomas M. Kostigen. The Green Book. 2007.)

Viewer Tip: Use these “best burn practices” at home to minimize wood smoke and protect your health:

• Before you burn, make sure your chimney is clean – a clean chimney provides a good draft and reduces the risk of a chimney fire. Have your chimney inspected by a professional at least once per year and regularly clean ashes from your fireplace or wood-burning stove to increase efficiency.
• Only use seasoned wood for burning – seasoned wood looks darker, has cracks in the ends and sounds hollow if smacked against another piece of wood.
• Use newspaper and dry kindling to start a fire. Never use gasoline, kerosene, charcoal starter or propane.
• Build hot fires, which are more safe and efficient than smoldering fires.
• Never burn garbage or cardboard, coated or painted wood, particle board, plywood or wood with glue on it.  Burning these materials can release harmful chemicals into the air inside your home.

If you burn wood at home – even occasionally – install a smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector to keep you and your family safe. If you already have detectors, check the batteries to make sure they are working properly.

(Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Burn Wise: Consumers – Best Burn Practices. http://www.epa.gov/burnwise/bestburn.html)

• Higher temperatures promote chemical reactions, such as the formation of ground-level ozone and particle pollution.
• Winds become lighter when pressure builds. Light or no wind allows air pollutants to build up. Still conditions also provide a better environment for chemical reactions to occur.
• Dry air does not move as much as moist air, allowing pollutants to build up. Days with high ozone pollution levels often occur when humidity is low.  However, on humid days, poor visibility occurs when small particles in the air absorb moisture and swell, reducing visibility.
• Sinking air in high pressure systems prevents the air from cooling and forming clouds. This creates sunny days – a key ingredient in the formation of ozone is sunlight.
• Inversions, when cooler air is trapped near the ground by a layer of warmer air above, can trap pollution near the Earth’s surface. This can lead to high levels of ozone and particle pollution.

Viewer Tip: People with heart and lung diseases or asthma, children and older adults can be especially at-risk for health problems related to air pollution, and extremely poor air quality can affect everyone. Stay healthy and reduce your exposure by watching air quality reports from your local media or checking www.airnow.gov.  When conditions reach “Code Orange” or higher, consider rescheduling sports games and other strenuous outdoor activities for another day. If you do go outside, aim for early morning or evening hours, when air pollution levels are likely to be lower.

(Sources: US EPA. “What Affects My Air Quality?” http://www.epa.gov/airnow/airaware/day2-detail.html; www.airnow.gov)

Viewer Tip: Many commuters drive alone. Give these tips a try to slash time spent on the road and reduce air pollution:

• Telecommute. If you are able to work from home, give it a try! Telecommuting one day per week for a year can save the typical commuter 1200 miles on his or her vehicle and 58 gallons of gas.
• Carpool. A vehicle with four passengers achieving 15 miles per gallon is 2.4 times more efficient than four small sedans with one passenger, each getting 25 miles per gallon.
• Walk or bike. Leave the car at home for short trips to save gas and money.

Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

(Source: Texas Transportation Institute. Urban Mobility Report 2010. Released in December 2010. Available from: http://tti.tamu.edu/documents/mobility_report_2010.pdf; Federal Highway Administration. “It All Adds Up to Cleaner Air.” www.italladdsup.gov)

Viewer Tip: Many commuters drive alone. Give these tips a try to slash time spent on the road and reduce air pollution:

• Telecommute. If you are able to work from home, give it a try! Telecommuting one day per week for a year can save the typical commuter 1200 miles on his or her vehicle and 58 gallons of gas.
• Carpool. A vehicle with four passengers achieving 15 miles per gallon is 2.4 times more efficient than four small sedans with one passenger, each getting 25 miles per gallon.
• Walk or bike. Leave the car at home for short trips to save gas and money.

Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

(Source: Texas Transportation Institute. Urban Mobility Report 2010. Released in December 2010. Available from: http://tti.tamu.edu/documents/mobility_report_2010.pdf; Federal Highway Administration. “It All Adds Up to Cleaner Air.” www.italladdsup.gov)

Viewer Tip: Many commuters drive alone. Give these tips a try to slash time spent on the road and reduce air pollution:

• Telecommute. If you are able to work from home, give it a try! Telecommuting one day per week for a year can save the typical commuter 1200 miles on his or her vehicle and 58 gallons of gas.
• Carpool. A vehicle with four passengers achieving 15 miles per gallon is 2.4 times more efficient than four small sedans with one passenger, each getting 25 miles per gallon.
• Walk or bike. Leave the car at home for short trips to save gas and money.

Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

(Source: Texas Transportation Institute. Urban Mobility Report 2010. Released in December 2010. Available from: http://tti.tamu.edu/documents/mobility_report_2010.pdf; Federal Highway Administration. “It All Adds Up to Cleaner Air.” www.italladdsup.gov)

Viewer Tip: Many commuters drive alone. Give these tips a try to slash time spent on the road and reduce air pollution:

• Telecommute. If you are able to work from home, give it a try! Telecommuting one day per week for a year can save the typical commuter 1200 miles on his or her vehicle and 58 gallons of gas.
• Carpool. A vehicle with four passengers achieving 15 miles per gallon is 2.4 times more efficient than four small sedans with one passenger, each getting 25 miles per gallon.
• Walk or bike. Leave the car at home for short trips to save gas and money.

Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

(Source: Texas Transportation Institute. Urban Mobility Report 2010. Released in December 2010. Available from: http://tti.tamu.edu/documents/mobility_report_2010.pdf; Federal Highway Administration. “It All Adds Up to Cleaner Air.” www.italladdsup.gov)

Viewer Tip: Many commuters drive alone. Give these tips a try to slash time spent on the road and reduce air pollution:

• Telecommute. If you are able to work from home, give it a try! Telecommuting one day per week for a year can save the typical commuter 1200 miles on his or her vehicle and 58 gallons of gas.
• Carpool. A vehicle with four passengers achieving 15 miles per gallon is 2.4 times more efficient than four small sedans with one passenger, each getting 25 miles per gallon.
• Walk or bike. Leave the car at home for short trips to save gas and money.

Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

(Source: Texas Transportation Institute. Urban Mobility Report 2010. Released in December 2010. Available from: http://tti.tamu.edu/documents/mobility_report_2010.pdf; Federal Highway Administration. “It All Adds Up to Cleaner Air.” www.italladdsup.gov)

Viewer Tip: Many commuters drive alone. Give these tips a try to slash time spent on the road and reduce air pollution:

• Telecommute. If you are able to work from home, give it a try! Telecommuting one day per week for a year can save the typical commuter 1200 miles on his or her vehicle and 58 gallons of gas.
• Carpool. A vehicle with four passengers achieving 15 miles per gallon is 2.4 times more efficient than four small sedans with one passenger, each getting 25 miles per gallon.
• Walk or bike. Leave the car at home for short trips to save gas and money.

Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

(Source: Texas Transportation Institute. Urban Mobility Report 2010. Released in December 2010. Available from: http://tti.tamu.edu/documents/mobility_report_2010.pdf; Federal Highway Administration. “It All Adds Up to Cleaner Air.” www.italladdsup.gov)

Viewer Tip: Many commuters drive alone. Give these tips a try to slash time spent on the road and reduce air pollution:

• Telecommute. If you are able to work from home, give it a try! Telecommuting one day per week for a year can save the typical commuter 1200 miles on his or her vehicle and 58 gallons of gas.
• Carpool. A vehicle with four passengers achieving 15 miles per gallon is 2.4 times more efficient than four small sedans with one passenger, each getting 25 miles per gallon.
• Walk or bike. Leave the car at home for short trips to save gas and money.

Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

(Source: Texas Transportation Institute. Urban Mobility Report 2010. Released in December 2010. Available from: http://tti.tamu.edu/documents/mobility_report_2010.pdf; Federal Highway Administration. “It All Adds Up to Cleaner Air.” www.italladdsup.gov)

Viewer Tip: Many commuters drive alone. Give these tips a try to slash time spent on the road and reduce air pollution:

• Telecommute. If you are able to work from home, give it a try! Telecommuting one day per week for a year can save the typical commuter 1200 miles on his or her vehicle and 58 gallons of gas.
• Carpool. A vehicle with four passengers achieving 15 miles per gallon is 2.4 times more efficient than four small sedans with one passenger, each getting 25 miles per gallon.
• Walk or bike. Leave the car at home for short trips to save gas and money.

Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

(Source: Texas Transportation Institute. Urban Mobility Report 2010. Released in December 2010. Available from: http://tti.tamu.edu/documents/mobility_report_2010.pdf; Federal Highway Administration. “It All Adds Up to Cleaner Air.” www.italladdsup.gov)

Viewer Tip: Many commuters drive alone. Give these tips a try to slash time spent on the road and reduce air pollution:

• Telecommute. If you are able to work from home, give it a try! Telecommuting one day per week for a year can save the typical commuter 1200 miles on his or her vehicle and 58 gallons of gas.
• Carpool. A vehicle with four passengers achieving 15 miles per gallon is 2.4 times more efficient than four small sedans with one passenger, each getting 25 miles per gallon.
• Walk or bike. Leave the car at home for short trips to save gas and money.

Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

(Source: Texas Transportation Institute. Urban Mobility Report 2010. Released in December 2010. Available from: http://tti.tamu.edu/documents/mobility_report_2010.pdf; Federal Highway Administration. “It All Adds Up to Cleaner Air.” www.italladdsup.gov)

Viewer Tip: Many commuters drive alone. Give these tips a try to slash time spent on the road and reduce air pollution:

• Telecommute. If you are able to work from home, give it a try! Telecommuting one day per week for a year can save the typical commuter 1200 miles on his or her vehicle and 58 gallons of gas.
• Carpool. A vehicle with four passengers achieving 15 miles per gallon is 2.4 times more efficient than four small sedans with one passenger, each getting 25 miles per gallon.
• Walk or bike. Leave the car at home for short trips to save gas and money.

Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

(Source: Texas Transportation Institute. Urban Mobility Report 2010. Released in December 2010. Available from: http://tti.tamu.edu/documents/mobility_report_2010.pdf; Federal Highway Administration. “It All Adds Up to Cleaner Air.” www.italladdsup.gov)

Viewer Tip: Many commuters drive alone. Give these tips a try to slash time spent on the road and reduce air pollution:

• Telecommute. If you are able to work from home, give it a try! Telecommuting one day per week for a year can save the typical commuter 1200 miles on his or her vehicle and 58 gallons of gas.
• Carpool. A vehicle with four passengers achieving 15 miles per gallon is 2.4 times more efficient than four small sedans with one passenger, each getting 25 miles per gallon.
• Walk or bike. Leave the car at home for short trips to save gas and money.

Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

(Source: Texas Transportation Institute. Urban Mobility Report 2010. Released in December 2010. Available from: http://tti.tamu.edu/documents/mobility_report_2010.pdf; Federal Highway Administration. “It All Adds Up to Cleaner Air.” www.italladdsup.gov)

Viewer Tip: Many commuters drive alone. Give these tips a try to slash time spent on the road and reduce air pollution:

• Telecommute. If you are able to work from home, give it a try! Telecommuting one day per week for a year can save the typical commuter 1200 miles on his or her vehicle and 58 gallons of gas.
• Carpool. A vehicle with four passengers achieving 15 miles per gallon is 2.4 times more efficient than four small sedans with one passenger, each getting 25 miles per gallon.
• Walk or bike. Leave the car at home for short trips to save gas and money.

Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

(Source: Texas Transportation Institute. Urban Mobility Report 2010. Released in December 2010. Available from: http://tti.tamu.edu/documents/mobility_report_2010.pdf; Federal Highway Administration. “It All Adds Up to Cleaner Air.” www.italladdsup.gov)

Viewer Tip: Many commuters drive alone. Give these tips a try to slash time spent on the road and reduce air pollution:

• Telecommute. If you are able to work from home, give it a try! Telecommuting one day per week for a year can save the typical commuter 1200 miles on his or her vehicle and 58 gallons of gas.
• Carpool. A vehicle with four passengers achieving 15 miles per gallon is 2.4 times more efficient than four small sedans with one passenger, each getting 25 miles per gallon.
• Walk or bike. Leave the car at home for short trips to save gas and money.

Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

(Source: Texas Transportation Institute. Urban Mobility Report 2010. Released in December 2010. Available from: http://tti.tamu.edu/documents/mobility_report_2010.pdf; Federal Highway Administration. “It All Adds Up to Cleaner Air.” www.italladdsup.gov)

Viewer Tip: Many commuters drive alone. Give these tips a try to slash time spent on the road and reduce air pollution:

• Telecommute. If you are able to work from home, give it a try! Telecommuting one day per week for a year can save the typical commuter 1200 miles on his or her vehicle and 58 gallons of gas.
• Carpool. A vehicle with four passengers achieving 15 miles per gallon is 2.4 times more efficient than four small sedans with one passenger, each getting 25 miles per gallon.
• Walk or bike. Leave the car at home for short trips to save gas and money.

Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

(Source: Texas Transportation Institute. Urban Mobility Report 2010. Released in December 2010. Available from: http://tti.tamu.edu/documents/mobility_report_2010.pdf; Federal Highway Administration. “It All Adds Up to Cleaner Air.” www.italladdsup.gov)

Viewer Tip: Many commuters drive alone. Give these tips a try to slash time spent on the road and reduce air pollution:

• Telecommute. If you are able to work from home, give it a try! Telecommuting one day per week for a year can save the typical commuter 1200 miles on his or her vehicle and 58 gallons of gas.
• Carpool. A vehicle with four passengers achieving 15 miles per gallon is 2.4 times more efficient than four small sedans with one passenger, each getting 25 miles per gallon.
• Walk or bike. Leave the car at home for short trips to save gas and money.

Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

(Source: Texas Transportation Institute. Urban Mobility Report 2010. Released in December 2010. Available from: http://tti.tamu.edu/documents/mobility_report_2010.pdf; Federal Highway Administration. “It All Adds Up to Cleaner Air.” www.italladdsup.gov)

Viewer Tip: Many commuters drive alone. Give these tips a try to slash time spent on the road and reduce air pollution:

• Telecommute. If you are able to work from home, give it a try! Telecommuting one day per week for a year can save the typical commuter 1200 miles on his or her vehicle and 58 gallons of gas.
• Carpool. A vehicle with four passengers achieving 15 miles per gallon is 2.4 times more efficient than four small sedans with one passenger, each getting 25 miles per gallon.
• Walk or bike. Leave the car at home for short trips to save gas and money.

Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

(Source: Texas Transportation Institute. Urban Mobility Report 2010. Released in December 2010. Available from: http://tti.tamu.edu/documents/mobility_report_2010.pdf; Federal Highway Administration. “It All Adds Up to Cleaner Air.” www.italladdsup.gov)

Viewer Tip: Many commuters drive alone. Give these tips a try to slash time spent on the road and reduce air pollution:

• Telecommute. If you are able to work from home, give it a try! Telecommuting one day per week for a year can save the typical commuter 1200 miles on his or her vehicle and 58 gallons of gas.
• Carpool. A vehicle with four passengers achieving 15 miles per gallon is 2.4 times more efficient than four small sedans with one passenger, each getting 25 miles per gallon.
• Walk or bike. Leave the car at home for short trips to save gas and money.

Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

(Source: Texas Transportation Institute. Urban Mobility Report 2010. Released in December 2010. Available from: http://tti.tamu.edu/documents/mobility_report_2010.pdf; Federal Highway Administration. “It All Adds Up to Cleaner Air.” www.italladdsup.gov)