Georgia's Clean Air Force Offers Five Tips for Cleaner Air and a Greener Wallet
Thursday, May 12th, 2016
May is Clean Air Month, and Georgia's Clean Air Forceis encouraging motorists to learn about the many ways to help improve air quality in Georgia while saving money.
Properly maintaining vehicles and making adjustments in driving habits can have a significant impact overall air quality in Georgia. Incorporating these tips into your daily routine can boost your vehicle's performance and save money.
"There is no better time than Clean Air Month to communicate to motorists several easy yet effective ways to help improve air quality in Georgia," noted Pamela Earl, Mobile & Area Source Program Manager, Environmental Protection Division.
Georgia's Clean Air Force offers five tips to improve air quality and save money. Download a Clean Air Month infographic at www.cleanairforce.com/documents/cleanairmonth.pdf.
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The 30 Second Rule. Americans waste four million gallons of gas annually idling their engines. Idling can allow harmful engine deposits to form, contaminating oil and damaging components. Turn your engine off if you will be idling for more than 30 seconds.
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It's Cool to Pool. According to The Rideshare Company, the average vehicle releases 10,000 pounds of carbon dioxide annually. Carpooling to work can cut down on harmful emissions. If you have a short commute, pledge to walk or ride your bike to work twice a week.
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Refuel in the Cool. Hot temperatures and gasoline fumes combine to create harmful ground-level ozone. Refueling your vehicle in the evening, when temperatures are cooler and gasoline evaporates less rapidly, is recommended.
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Get Pumped About Cleaner Air. Underinflated tires produce drag, requiring your engine to work harder. This produces harmful emissions and decreases fuel efficiency. Properly inflated tires save money, extend the life of your tires and improve gas mileage up to 3.3% annually, according to the U.S. DOE.
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There's an App For That. Today, there are smartphone apps that help motorists avoid left turns, which can be a major source of idling. Georgia-based UPS concluded that eliminating left turns conserves fuel and lowers emissions. Since 2004, UPS saved 10 million gallons of gas and reduced CO2 emissions by 100,000 metric tons – the equivalent to taking 5,300 passenger cars off the road for one year – by avoiding left turns.