How to reduce your contribution to air pollution

Using less energy to heat your home means releasing less air pollution. To find out more about energy efficiency grants or support, visit:

• Better Housing Better Health
• Home energy efficiency grants
• Energy Savings Trust
• Check your EPC here - for suggested improvements to your home

Burning anything releases particulates in your home and into the atmosphere.

• Only use the stove when necessary
• If its your only source of heating, consider a grant or if a tenant, contact your local authority
• Avoid burning when air quality is likely to be poor, when the weather is still
• Keep your stove well maintained and service it regularly

Trees can help trap particulate matter produced by transport and heating.  Support tree planting, making sure the right tree is in the right place.

Plant a tree and find out how much pollution it can save.

• Don’t burn treated wood, old furniture or household rubbish as these can release toxic pollutants into your home.  Use the Waste Wizard to find out how better to dispose of it.
• Burning things which causes a problem to neighbours can be investigated as a "statutory nuisance" and can be reported to your local council's Environmental Health service.

Use electric heating powered by renewable energy

• Green energy tariffs
• Grants for greener heating
• Community Action Groups

Avoid lighting barbeques in very hot, still summer weathers and bonfires in cold, still winter weather

If you use solid fuels for heating, check before buying that the fuel is of an approved type for your area. If your house has an oil-fuelled boiler, get it serviced regularly, so that it operates efficiently and uses no more fuel than necessary

• Fireworks do add to particulate matter for a short space of time
• Consider alternatives to celebrations such as Son et luminere or Drone light shows
• Fireworks wider impacts

• Does your employer have a Bike Loan scheme? 
• Consider an e-bike if you have a health condition which limits your ability to cycle
• Find your local cycle route including quieter safer alternatives in Oxford
• Find your local cycle storage bike park
• Park and pedal scheme - Oxford City Council

• When possible move to low emission vehicles such as electric cars or newer cars with cleaner engines (Euro 6 2014)
• Check out car clubs with electric vehicles
• Car share where possible, use
• or set up a community WhatsApp group

Marginal gains = big results

• Drive more smoothly
• Shift to a higher gear at the right time
• Only use air conditioning and electric chargers in the car when necessary, as they can increase fuel usage
• Pump car tires to the correct pressures - could save you up to 3% in fuel
• Reduce the weight of the car by removing unnecessary items, unused roof boxes and/or bike racks from the vehicle, to increase fuel efficiency
• Use navigation tools like Waze or Google maps to check for red areas to avoid adding to traffic congestion if an option. If you use Social media follow @oxontravel for travel alerts
• Check if your car can drive in low emission zones, currently 8 in England, plus London's Congestion Charge and ULEZ and Oxford's ZEZ)
• Advice on efficient driving
• Supporting local businesses - we all get into habits and routines, is there a new local business that is more local that you can walk or cycle to? Not only is it good for improving air quality, it is good for local people and communities - Oxford and South and Vale