Even if you’re just heating up some water or frying an egg, you should turn on your kitchen exhaust fan every single time you use your stove. Whether your stove is gas or electric, an exhaust fan is important because it removes excess heat, odors and moisture, and it prevents grime from accumulating on surfaces like kitchen cabinets. But most important, when you cook, airborne particles are created, which are a form of air pollution. If you have gas burners, it’s even more important to always use your fan: Carbon monoxide and other types of air pollution will be sucked out through the vent.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

If you must print Word documents, make a few eco-friendly choices. First, choose paper made from 100 percent postconsumer recycled paper; this is old paper that’s been pulped and made into new paper. It’s readily available at any office supply store. Second, find the default margin size setting in your word processing program and decrease the margins to .75 inch. This will increase the amount of text that fits on a page, reducing the number of pages printed. Even lowering the font size by 1 point can have a big positive impact.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

During the hot summer months, leaving the windows rolled up (while running the air conditioner inside) is a more fuel-efficient way to drive at highway speeds. Open windows create drag, which reduces the aerodynamic flow of your car. “But it’s summer!” you may say. If you like to have your windows down, at least do this: Leave your sunroof closed. Not only does an open sunroof bring in the lowest amount of airflow, it also creates the highest drag. Cracking the door windows is the next best thing.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION