Tips & Ideas for Cleaner Air

Transportation

Bike or walk to nearby destinations.
Ride the bus (Metro Phone: 513-621-4455).
Join a carpool through Rideshare. Call 800-241-RIDE for free information on how to start a carpool.
Combine your errands into one trip-a cold engine decreases efficiency by as much as 80%.
Keep your air filter clean and get regular tune-ups-a neglected car can reduce gas mileage by 20%.
Make sure your tires are properly inflated and rotated-you can save $130 a year in gasoline costs.
Don't "top off" your gas tank-by stopping at the click, you will reduce fumes that contribute to ground-level ozone pollution.
Refuel after 8 pm, especially in the summer when ozone concentrations tend to be higher during the afternoon.
Avoid idling in general, turning off and starting an engine uses less gasoline than letting it idle for more than 30 seconds. For example, turn the car off while waiting in line at railroad crossings and drive-through windows.
Make sure your car's air conditioner is working properly-leaky air conditioners in cars are the single greatest source of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), a greenhouse gas.
Stay on paved roads whenever possible-driving on dirt roads raises dust which contributes to haze and airborne particulate matter.

Conserve electricity-electrical generation is a source of air pollution.
Turn the lights out when you leave the room.
Use cold water instead of hot whenever possible-you'll use less energy
Use fans to help cool-they use less energy than coolers and air conditioners.
Clean the condenser coils on your refrigerator every few months-you can reduce electricity consumption by 6% or more.
Insulate your home to use less energy.
Go solar or geothermal for home and water heating-it reduces the need to burn fossil fuel.
Caulk and weather strip doors and windows.
Change your HVAC filter regularly so your equipment runs more efficiently.
Replace lightbulbs with LEDs.
Only do laundry when there is a full load.
Unplug appliances when not in use, especially equipment that has "stand by" modes such as flat screen television, DVD/Blu-Ray players, and video game equipment.
Avoid leaving cell phone and tablet chargers plugged in the wall when not charging equipment.
Use a programmable thermostat to conserve heat/air conditioning when not at home.
When appliances need to be replaced, look for EnergyStar certified products.

Plant a tree.
Reduce, reuse, then recycle.
Select products with less packaging-packaging consumes energy when it's made, generates harmful volatile organic compounds when it's printed, produces carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide when it's burned, and generates greenhouse gases when thrown away in a landfill.
Buy and use products in their non-aerosol form-propellants used in aerosol cans contribute to pollution.
Buy and use recycled products.
Look for durability in products you buy and use, not just lower price.
When barbecuing, use an electric or chimney-type charcoal starter instead of lighter fluid.
Use a propane grill when barbecuing.

Look up air quality information on the internet.
Read and learn about air pollution.
Research how air quality affects your health.
Check the daily Air Quality Index.
Watch for air quality information in the newspaper and on television.
Write to the mayor and other elected officials to let them know how you feel about air quality.
Call the Air Quality Complaint Hotline 513-946-7777 to report odor, dust, smoke complaints.
Ask your local Solid Waste District where to take leftover and unwanted paints, automotive fluids and household chemicals.
Share this information with others.