More Tips for Improving Winter Air Quality – Regardless of the Groundhog’s Prediction!

image by Matt MacGillivray used under Creative Commons license

Happy Groundhog Day! Last week, we posted tips for travelers about how to improve air quality during winter. This week, we highlight three year-round activities that are especially helpful in colder months.

1. Sign Up For Air Quality Action Day Updates

Even though most of our Air Quality Action Days occur during summer when ozone levels often are high, Air Quality Action Days can – and do – happen all year. In fact, we had two in December 2010. Make sure you sign up for our updates so you can make smart, healthy and environmentally friendly travel choices whenever an Air Quality Action Day occurs.

2. Combine Multiple Errands into One Trip

Navigate intelligently and combine multiple errands into one trip. That’s a routine you can practice year-round. As you help reduce air pollution, you also save valuable time and money on gas. Doing consecutive errands keeps your engine warm, so your car will operate more efficiently. This is particularly effective during the winter, when cold temperatures cause your engine to cool off faster.

3. Don’t Idle

Being diligent about this tip every day helps improve our air quality and is especially important during the winter. This time of year, many people start their car engines and let them idle for several minutes to warm up the cars. Even though driving in a cold car can be unpleasant, you can improve air quality and save money on gas by not letting your vehicles idle. In fact, an idling car engine can waste around 24.5 gallons (more than a full tank of gas!) each year.