Q: What is IdleAir?
A: IdleAir is a Knoxville, TN company that provides America’s hard-working long-haul truck drivers an alternative to idling their engines during rest periods. IdleAir service allows truck drivers to turn off their diesel engines and APU’s and still enjoy heat, cooling, standard electric inside and outside the cab, DIRECTV, Internet, and many of the comforts of home — all while saving money and getting better sleep without the noise, vibration, and exhaust fumes from idling.
Q: Besides heat and air conditioning, what services does the IdleAir system provide?
A. IdleAir offers 45+ channels of DIRECTV, high speed Internet, WiFi, and standard AC electric service inside and outside the cab. You can charge your cell phone while running your block heater.
Q: Where can I find a list of all the satellite TV Channels included with IdleAir’s Premium Service?
A. IdleAir offers 45+ channels of DIRECTV. You can find a current listing of these channels on our website: https://www.idleair.com/for-drivers/satellite-tv-channels/
Q: How do I get a copy of my receipt?
A. Each IdleAir location has a receipt printer. They are located in the front of the office, and are actually an IdleAir Service Module. After hours you can swipe your payment card (i.e. Fuel card, credit card, or Member Card depending on which you used directly as payment). The unit will then bring up all transactions at that location for the last 72 hours.
At any time, you can view and email your receipts by logging into the IdleAir Account Portal at https://accounts.idleair.com/.
For older receipts, please see a site representative to have any receipt ever generated on your account printed, or call Customer Service at (877) 738-7024 to have a receipt emailed, faxed or snail mailed. The CARLOS (card loading machine), only gives a receipt when drivers place cash into it.
You can also email yourself at check out. The Service Module shows your receipt with an email entry field in the upper right corner. If you have a keyboard, you can enter an email address and hit send. Alternatively, if you included an email with your member account, your email address appears automatically and you can simply hit “send” on the screen to email yourself the receipt.
Q: Where can I find my IdleAir Member Number?
A. The member number is the handwritten number on the white stripe on the back of your member card, and is usually 4-6 digits long. You can also find your member number in the upper left corner of your receipts. If you would like help locating your member number, please contact Customer Service at (877) 738-7024.
Q: What are Convoy Points™?
A. Convoy Points™ is the loyalty rewards program for IdleAir. IdleAir customers earn Convoy Points™ by purchasing IdleAir products and services. IdleAir VIP customers can use their Convoy Points™ in the Convoy Store for products and services from IdleAir, and from a growing selection of Rewards Partners. To get started, please visit IdleAir.com/convoypoints.
Q: Are the climate control and the communications and entertainment packages what appeal to drivers?
A. These services are certainly appreciated by drivers, but they also enjoy switching off the diesel engine’s noise, vibration and fumes to get a good night’s sleep. Rested drivers are safer drivers. And adjacent neighborhoods appreciate the cleaner, quieter environment as well.
Q: Why don’t drivers just rent a motel room?
A. Motel rooms are expensive and most drivers don’t want to leave their trucks or loads unattended. IdleAir provides a comfortable, secure place and it’s cheaper than idling.
Q: Are drivers satisfied with the value of the IdleAir service?
A. Yes! When a gallon of diesel – enough to idle for an hour – costs $3.50, IdleAir is only HALF the cost of idling. And that doesn’t even include the cost of wear and tear on the engine! Drivers also enjoy the DIRECTV and basic Internet, as well as a better sleep.
Q: What are the IdleAir benefits for Owner Operators and Company drivers?
A: Owner operators love IdleAir because they are responsible for the cost of fuel, maintenance and engine overhauls or new truck purchases. Company drivers don’t pay for these expenses, but also enjoy the quiet cab, clean air, DIRECTV and basic Internet. Both owner operators and company drivers earn rewards by using IdleAir. Visit IdleAir.com/convoypoints to get started.
Q: I had money on my old IdleAir card. Is it still there?
A: It’s still there, and it’s still your money. Even if you no longer have the card. IdleAir is honoring all customer balances. Please call IdleAir Customer Support at (877) 738-7024 to get started.
Q: I need a new window adapter. Where can I get one?
A: A new window adapter costs $5, and you can start using immediately. Please see the IdleAir site representative to purchase a new window adapter. If you still have your old widow adapter and the same truck make/model, you’re ready to go! Bring us your old adapter when you get a new truck, and it will be our pleasure to exchange it – for free – for a window adapter that fits your new truck.
Q: Where is IdleAir currently available?
A: IdleAir is currently available in more than 35 locations in 14 states (AR, AZ, GA, IL, LA, MN, MO, MS, NJ, OH, PA, TN, and TX). Please see the complete listing of current locations.
Q: Where will IdleAir open up next?
A: The folks at IdleAir are working hard every day to open up new locations in your lanes. Over the next few years, we’re rebuilding the IdleAir network to about 100 locations nation-wide. And we need your help! Where do you think we should open up next? Please call IdleAir Customer Service at (877) 738-7024, or send us a suggestion online: https://www.idleair.com/contact. We want to hear from you!
Q: Why do parking lot owners want to install IdleAir?
A. Parking lots traditionally don’t produce revenue. Parking lot owners share in IdleAir revenue, creating a new revenue center in a low margin business without any investment on their part. In addition, these areas become better neighbors to adjacent residents by significantly reducing air pollution and noise.
Q: Does my fleet get a discounted rate?
A: Fleets that sign up with IdleAir can get additional discounts for their drivers – both company drivers and owner operators. Check here to see if your fleet is already signed up: https://www.idleair.com/for-drivers/registered-fleets/. If your fleet isn’t signed up, it’s completely free for them and you get to enjoy all the benefits of IdleAir. We’ll be happy to sign up your fleet, so just give us their contact information, and we’ll give them a call! Sign up your fleet here: https://www.idleair.com/contact/sign-up-my-fleet/
Q: I already have an APU. Can I still use IdleAir?
A: Yes! APU’s don’t work all the time, and drivers like IdleAir’s Satellite TV and basic Internet. With IdleAir, there’s no noise, no vibration, and no exhaust fumes. APUs burn foreign diesel, and IdleAir uses American energy resources like coal, gas, and wind. Buy American – use IdleAir!
Q: What is IdleAir doing to get rid of the smell of cigarette smoke?
A: IdleAir now uses hotel-grade smoke elimination technology at each of our locations. Frequent cleaning and maintenance give you fresh, clean air each time you hook up.
Q: Is IdleAir going to play “parking police”?
A: IdleAir has fewer spaces, and farther away from the main travel center building. This way, there’s more parking for drivers who want to idle, and less reason for them to stay in the IdleAir spaces. As an IdleAir customer, your neighbor is likely enjoying the same clean, quiet IdleAir service you are enjoying.
Q: What’s the VIP program?
A: The more you use IdleAir, the more you save and earn rewards. It’s our way of saying THANK YOU for using IdleAir. See all of our promotions and special offers at IdleAir.com/promos. To start earning IdleAir VIP Driver Rewards, please visit IdleAir.com/convoypoints.
Q: Why is IdleAir good for America?
A: IdleAir provides heating, cooling, and electricity made from American energy resources, like coal, gas, and wind, and more. Idling and APU’s burn foreign oil, so Buy American – use IdleAir! IdleAir uses only 1/10th the energy that idling uses, so it’s much more energy efficient than idling your engine.
Q: Is IdleAir creating American jobs?
A: Yes! IdleAir creates American jobs at all our locations. Our customer service staff are located at IdleAir headquarters in Knoxville, TN, U.S.A.
Q: Why is IdleAir good for the environment?
A: IdleAir saves 1 gallon of diesel per truck per hour. Together, we save millions of tons of dangerous emissions from polluting our environment and contributing to climate change.
Q: Why is IdleAir cleaner than Idling?
A: IdleAir uses only 1/10th the energy wasted by idling. When you use IdleAir’s electricity made from American energy resources, it’s much cleaner than burning foreign oil.
Q: Why is idling bad for my health?
A: Because of incomplete combustion, diesel idling is among the worst sources of pollution for drivers and communities.
Q: When do I start saving with IdleAir?
A: Right NOW! IdleAir has no up-front cost, no commitment, and you start saving as soon as you turn off your engine. Start using IdleAir today, and start saving from the very first minute.
Q: How do I get the latest IdleAir news?
A: Join our mailing list, and follow us on Facebook and Twitter to get the latest news, promotions, and announcements. Visit our Contact Us page for more information.
Q: How can I make a suggestion or tell you about a recent IdleAir experience?
A: We want to hear from you! Please tell us about your recent IdleAir experience. Tell us what we can do better. Tell us how we can serve you better. Contact IdleAir by visiting our Contact Us page.
Q: How can I improve my miles per gallon?
A: Idling doesn’t get you anywhere. Save your money and your fuel for the road. Start using IdleAir today and start saving from the very first minute.
Q: How can I get my truck to a million miles?
A: Trucking is hard work. Let your truck take a rest when you do. Idling costs you wear and tear, overhauls, and downtime. Save your engine for when you really need it – on the road.
Q: What does IdleAir consider its target market?
A: Anywhere long-haul trucks congregate and their engines idle for extended periods of time. That includes travel and service plazas, distribution centers, seaports and other locations. Our initial deployment target is the travel centers (truckstops) and Interstate service plazas, which we estimate account for approximately 272,000 parking spaces. We estimate there are 1.3 million long-haul trucks with sleeper cabs using these spaces on a daily basis.
Q: How can 1.3 million trucks fit into 272,000 parking spaces?
A: They don’t park all at once. Drivers are legally required to rest 10 hours for every 11 on the road, so they rotate in and out of the parking spaces at different times. However, there is a parking shortage in many areas, which is why you often see these trucks parked along Interstate exit and entry ramps, in vacant lots and other locations, particularly at night. The IdleAir system could offer parking lot owners a new incentive to expand their parking areas.
Q: How much air pollution can be reduced by using IdleAir?
A: The EPA estimates that a typical 100-space travel plaza, with an average 66% occupancy rate, generates over 2,500 metric tons of emissions at that location each year from idling, burning over 240,000 gallons of diesel fuel. IdleAir’s nationwide network of Advanced TSE services offset over 625,000 tons from 59 million gallons of diesel mitigation since the technology was first introduced.
Q: What substances are in these emissions?
A: Components of those emissions include carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, particulates (PM), carbon monoxide and volatile organic compounds, such as formaldehyde, benzene and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons.
Q: Do these emissions carry any environmental or health risks?
A: Definitely. Formaldehyde and benzene are toxics, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) are carcinogenic. The particulates carry adsorbed organic compounds (volatile organic compounds, PAH) deep into the lungs. Nitrogen oxides are a pre-cursor for ozone, which forms when those oxides are subjected to heat and sunlight. The EPA has found that ozone causes respiratory illnesses, including childhood asthma, adult asthma, chronic bronchitis and emphysema, in more than 11% of the population. Carbon monoxide is a particular threat to the elderly and those with cardiovascular disease, while carbon dioxide, though not currently regulated, is an important greenhouse gas. Long-term exposure to diesel exhaust is known to increase the risk of lung and bladder cancer.
Q: What is my IdleAir member number?
A: Your IdleAir member number is not the 16 digit card # on the back of your member card. It is a different number (generally up to six digits) that is assigned by the IdleAir system when you first signed up as an IdleAir member.
Q: How can I find my IdleAir member number?
A: When you locate your Member ID write it on the back of your IdleAir Member Card for future reference.
On the Service Module:
• Choose the Web Button on the Main Menu
• Then choose My Account, then Visit Receipts, then View a Receipt, see the Member ID at the top of the receipt
On printed IdleAir receipts:
• Your Member ID is also printed on receipts from:
• CARLOS (the card loading machine under the IdleAir building awning)
• The visit-receipt printer under the IdleAir building awning.
Q: How does a new customer prospect sign up with IdleAir as a member?
• Visit an IdleAir equipped travel center
• Have the referring customer’s IdleAir member number handy.
• Go to the IdleAir building in the parking lot
• Locate an IdleAir site rep and they will assist.
• If no IdleAir rep is available, contact IdleAir customer support and they will assist with signup over the phone.
Q: What is IdleAir Premium Service and how much does it cost?
A: Premium Service includes heat & air conditioning, electricity inside and outside the cab, access to over 45 channels of DIRECTV and Internet access on the built-in color touch-screen. Premium Service is $2.19/hr +tax per hour. Current pricing is available here, and please check our complete list of promotions.
Q: How can I pay for IdleAir?
A: If your fleet has a relationship with IdleAir, you may be able to use an approved fuel card. Please contact IdleAir Customer Support at (877) 738-7024 to check on fuel card payments. All customers can pay with cash, Visa, MasterCard, or AMEX.
