Free Environmental Home Survey

Question 1 of 46

Part 1:
Conserving Energy

1. Heating Temperature

At what temperature is your heater thermostat usually set on cold days?

68 degrees or lower

69 degrees or higher

Don't have a thermostat

Question 2 of 46

2. Nighttime Temperature

Is your heater thermostat turned down or off at night when people go to bed?

Yes

No

Don't have a thermostat

Question 3 of 46

3. Heater Vents

Are heater vents closed in unused rooms?

Yes

No

Don't have vents or unused rooms

Question 4 of 46

4. Furnace Filter

Is the furnace filter changed or cleaned periodically?

Yes

No

Don't have a furnace filter

Question 5 of 46

5. Cooling Temperature

At what temperature is your air conditioner thermostat usually set during hot weather?

78 degrees or higher

77 degrees or lower

Don't have a thermostat

Question 6 of 46

6. Insulation

How much insulation is in your ceiling or attic?

6 inches or more

Less than 6 inches

Ceiling space or attic is not accessible

Question 7 of 46

7. Windows and Doors

Are windows and outside doors kept closed when the heater or air conditioner is on?

Yes

No, not all the time

Question 8 of 46

8. Drafts

Does air leak in or out of any windows or doors even when they are closed? (Not sure? See the Draftometer Test help box.)

No

Yes

Draftometer Test

To check windows and doors for leaks, conduct the following test:

Cut a piece of thin plastic food-wrap about 4 inches wide and 6 inches long.
Tape the short edge of the plastic along the edge of a pencil.
Hold the draftometer near the edges of closed doors and windows. If the plastic moves, then air is leaking in or out.

Question 9 of 46

9. Shaded Windows

Are the windows on the sunny side of the house shaded during hot weather, either by trees or blinds or other window coverings?

Yes

No

Question 10 of 46

10. Water Heater Temperature

At what temperature is your water heater set?

130 degrees or lower ("medium" or "low" or "conservation")

More than 130 degrees ("high")

Don't have a water heater, or it is not accessible

Question 11 of 46

11. Light Bulbs

What type of light bulbs are in most of the light fixtures or lamps in your home? (Not sure? See the Light Bulbs help box.)

Fluorescent or LED

Incandescent

Light Bulbs

Fluorescent light bulbs will likely be either long tubes or oddly-shaped, curling bulbs (sometimes within a solid dome cover). LED (light emitting diode) bulbs are solid bulbs—globes or tubes—made from a cluster of many small bulbs encased in a diffuser. Incandescent bulbs are round with filament wire inside. Both fluorescent and LED bulbs stay cool when lit, as opposed to incandescent bulbs, which get very hot.

Question 12 of 46

12. Computers

Are home computers, monitors, and printers turned off when they are not being used, such as when the family goes to bed?

Yes

No

Don't have a home computer

Question 13 of 46

13. Energy Vampires

How many energy "vampires" are in your home? (See the Energy Vampires help box.)

5 or fewer

More than 5

Energy Vampires

Energy "vampires" are appliances and electronic equipment that constantly draw power when plugged in, even if turned OFF. Look for appliances/equipment that have remote controls and that feature a continuous digital display, such as glowing clocks or “on” lights. Energy vampires can include:

TVs
DVD players
DVRs
cable boxes
audio equipment
stoves
microwaves
coffee makers
chargers
computer equipment

Question 14 of 46

14. Lights and Appliances

Are lights, televisions, stereos, and other electric appliances turned off when they’re not being used?

Yes, most of the time

No, they are often left on when not being used

Question 15 of 46

15. Cooking

How are small meals and snacks cooked or heated?

In a microwave or toaster oven

In a large oven

Don't have any type of oven

Question 16 of 46

16. Age of Major Appliances

How old are your major appliances (refrigerator, water heater, furnace, air conditioner)?

All are less than 15 years old

Some are more than 15 years old

Don't own major applicances

Question 17 of 46

17. Family Cars

How many miles per gallon do most of the cars in your family average?

More than 30 miles per gallon

Less than 30 miles per gallon

Don't own any cars

Question 18 of 46

Part 2:
Saving Water

18. Indoor Faucets

Do family members leave the water running when brushing teeth, shaving, or doing dishes?

No

Yes, some people leave the water running

Question 19 of 46

19. Showers

How long do family members spend in the shower?

10 minutes or less

Some people spend longer than 10 minutes

Question 20 of 46

20. Showerheads

Are the showerheads in your home low-flow, putting out less than 2 ½ gallons per minute? (To find out, see the Showerheads help box.)

Yes

No, showerheads put out more than 2 ½ gallons per minute

Showerheads

Here’s how to find out the water output for your showerhead:

Get a bucket, a watch with a second hand, and a measuring cup.
Hold the bucket under the showerhead and have someone turn on the water at full pressure for 15 seconds.
Measure how many cups of water are in the bucket and multiply the number of cups by 4 (to calculate how many cups per minute).
Convert the number of cups to gallons (16 cups in a gallon) to determine how many gallons flow per minute.
Go water some plants so you don’t waste the water!

Question 21 of 46

21. Toilet Trash

Is trash (e.g., tissues, hair, paper scraps, etc.) sometimes flushed down toilets?

No

Yes

Question 22 of 46

22. Toilet Type

What type of toilets are in your home? (To find out, see the Toilet Type help box.)

Low flush or high efficiency (fewer than 3 gallons per flush)

Regular (more than 3 gallons per flush)

Toilet Type

First look under the tank lid or just behind the seat. If the toilet type ("low" or "ultra-low" or "high-efficiency") or the gallons-per-flush ("gpf") is not indicated, here’s how to find out:

Get a pitcher or bucket that shows measurement in cups/quarts/gallons.
Turn off the incoming water behind the toilet.
Mark the water level in the tank with tape or a grease pencil.
Flush the toilet.
Use the pitcher to refill the tank (not the bowl) to the mark you made, noting how much water is needed (16 cups = 4 quarts = 1 gallon).
Add ½ gallon to the total (the amount that fills the toilet bowl).
If your toilet uses fewer than 3 gallons per flush, it is a low-flush, maybe even an ultra-low flush or a dual flush/high efficiency toilet, which uses only about 1.5 gallons. More than 3 gallons indicates a regular older toilet.
Don’t forget to turn the water back on.

Question 23 of 46

23. Dishwasher and Clothes Washer

Are the dishwasher and clothes washer used only when full most of the time?

Yes

No, small loads are often run

Don’t have a dishwasher or clothes washer

Question 24 of 46

24. Watering Time

When does the lawn or garden usually get watered?

Mornings or night

Afternoons or evenings

Don't have a lawn or garden

Question 25 of 46

25. Overspray and Runoff

If sprinklers are used—either built-in or attached to the
hose—does a lot of the surrounding pavement get wet?

No

Yes, a lot of water lands on or flows onto the pavement

Don't use sprinklers

Question 26 of 46

26. Sprinkler Type

If you use automatic sprinklers, what type are they? (Not sure? See the Sprinkler Type help box.)

Rotating nozzle

Conventional fan spray

Don't have automatic sprinklers

Sprinkler Types

A rotating nozzle sprinkler projects streams of water while the sprinkler head rotates. The conventional sprinkler head sprays a fan of water across the lawn.

Question 27 of 46

27. Seasonal Watering

Is the time spent watering the lawn or garden changed depending on the season and weather?

Yes

No, watering time stays the same year round

Don't have a lawn or garden

Question 28 of 46

28. Mulch

Do most of the trees and other plants in your yard have mulch around them? (Not sure? See the What's Mulch? help box.)

Yes

No

Don't have a yard

What's Mulch?

Mulch covers the soil but allows water to permeate and slows evaporation. Mulch might be wood chips, shredded bark, sawdust, straw, grass clippings, or rubber shavings.

Question 29 of 46

29. Clean-Ups

How often is the hose used to clean driveways, patios, sidewalks, or other pavement areas?

Never or rarely

Often or sometimes

Don't have pavement areas to clean

Question 30 of 46

30. Car Washing

When you wash a car at home, is the hose turned off when the water isn't needed?

Yes

No, the hose is usually left running onto the pavement

Don't wash car at home

Question 31 of 46

31. Pool

Is the swimming pool and/or hot tub covered at night and at times when it isn't being used for extended periods?

Yes

No

Don't have a pool or hot tub

Question 32 of 46

32. Water Leaks

Do any faucets, pipes, or toilets leak? (To learn how to check for leaks, see the Leaks help box.)

No

Yes, there are some leaks

Leaks

There are several ways to check for leaks. Before doing any of them, turn off all faucets.

Find your water meter and watch the dial or the small triangular flow indicator for 5 to 10 minutes. If the meter moves, you’ve got a leak.
Look at all faucets and pipes, inside and outside your house: Are any dripping water? Are there any damp spots underneath them?
Put a few drops of food coloring in the tank at the back of the toilet; wait a few minutes to see if any of the color appears in the bowl. If so, you have a toilet leak.

Question 33 of 46

Part 3:
Reducing Waste & Pollution

33. Disposable vs. Reusable

How often does your family use disposable “throw away” products (paper or plastic plates, cups, utensils) instead of ones that can be reused?

Almost never

Fairly often

Question 34 of 46

34. Paper Towels and Napkins

When you use paper towels and napkins, do you usually take only as many as you really need?

Yes

No, I often take more than I really need

Question 35 of 46

35. Unwanted Items

What does your family do with usable items that you no longer want (clothes, books, toys, furniture)?

Donate or sell them

Throw them in the trash

Question 36 of 46

36. Recycling

Does your family recycle used newspapers, metal cans, plastic and glass bottles, cardboard boxes, etc.? (See the Ways to Recycle help box.)

Yes

No

Ways to Recycle

You can recycle by:

putting trash in separate containers for recyclable and non-recyclable waste for your trash company to pick up.
putting all waste in the same container if your trash company sorts and recycles your trash.
saving recyclable materials and taking them to a recycle center.

Question 37 of 46

37. Yard Waste

What does your family do with grass clippings and other yard waste?

Compost or put in a separate container for collection

Put into the regular trash can

Don't have yard waste

Question 38 of 46

38. Environmentally-Friendly Products

Does your family use products (e.g., cleaners, polishes, paints, solvents) that are safe for the environment? (Not sure? See the Environmentally-Friendly help box.)

Yes, all or almost all products are environmentally-friendly

No, many products are not safe for the environment

Environmentally-Friendly

Environmentally-friendly products do not harm people or the environment in their production, use, or disposal. Such products will not have words on the label such as “hazardous,” “toxic,” “poisonous,” and “dangerous." Products that are safe for the environment are often derived from natural ingredients.

Question 39 of 46

39. Hazardous Wastes

How does your family usually dispose of hazardous waste products? (See the What’s Hazardous? help box.)

Take to special hazardous waste disposal sites in our community

Put in the regular trash can or dump into the street gutter or pour down house drains

What's Hazardous?

Hazardous waste includes products that can harm people or the environment. Look for labels that have warnings or cautions, or for words such as “hazardous,” “toxic,” “poisonous,” and “dangerous.” Hazardous waste includes:

used motor oil
paint
cleaners and solvents
batteries
ink cartridges
antifreeze
medicines
electronic equipment

Question 40 of 46

40. Litter

Do you or any family members ever throw trash—including food wrappers, paper, straws, drink cans—on the ground?

No, never

Yes, some family members litter

Question 41 of 46

41. Carpooling

Do members of your family carpool or take public transportation to school or work on most days?

Yes

No

Don't travel by car or public transportation

Question 42 of 46

42. Driving

How do family members usually get to places that are close to home?

Walk, bike, or skateboard

Drive in a vehicle

Question 43 of 46

43. Trip Links

Do you combine several errands into one car trip instead of separate trips?

Yes

No

Question 44 of 46

44. Yard Work

What type of yard equipment does your family or gardener use?

Manual or electric equipment (mower, blower, broom)

Gasoline-powered mower or blower

Don’t have a yard

Question 45 of 46

45. Barbequing

What type of barbeque does your family have at home?

Electric or natural gas

Charcoal or wood

Don’t have a barbeque

Question 46 of 46

46. Wood Burning

Does your family burn wood in a fireplace or wood stove?

No

Yes

Don’t have a fireplace or wood stove

Directions to Enter Your Answers

Part 1: Conserving Energy

At what temperature is your heater thermostat usually set on cold days?

Is your heater thermostat turned down or off at night when people go to bed?

Are heater vents closed in unused rooms?

Is the furnace filter changed or cleaned periodically?

At what temperature is your air conditioner thermostat usually set during hot weather?

How much insulation is in your ceiling or attic?

Are windows and outside doors kept closed when the heater or air conditioner is on?

Does air leak in or out of any windows or doors even when they are closed? (Not sure? See the Draftometer Test help box.)

Are the windows on the sunny side of the house shaded during hot weather, either by trees or blinds or other window coverings?

At what temperature is your water heater set?

What type of light bulbs are in most of the light fixtures or lamps in your home? (Not sure? See the Light Bulbs help box.)

Are home computers, monitors, and printers turned off when they are not being used, such as when the family goes to bed?

How many energy "vampires" are in your home? (See the Energy Vampires help box.)

Are lights, televisions, stereos, and other electric appliances turned off when they’re not being used?

How are small meals and snacks cooked or heated?

How old are your major appliances (refrigerator, water heater, furnace, air conditioner)?

How many miles per gallon do most of the cars in your family average?

Part 2: Saving Water

Do family members leave the water running when brushing teeth, shaving, or doing dishes?

How long do family members spend in the shower?

Are the showerheads in your home low-flow, putting out less than 2 ½ gallons per minute? (To find out, see the Showerheads help box.)

Is trash (e.g., tissues, hair, paper scraps, etc.) sometimes flushed down toilets?

What type of toilets are in your home? (To find out, see the Toilet Type help box.)

Are the dishwasher and clothes washer used only when full most of the time?

When does the lawn or garden usually get watered?

If sprinklers are used—either built-in or attached to thehose—does a lot of the surrounding pavement get wet?

If you use automatic sprinklers, what type are they? (Not sure? See the Sprinkler Type help box.)

Is the time spent watering the lawn or garden changed depending on the season and weather?

Do most of the trees and other plants in your yard have mulch around them? (Not sure? See the What's Mulch? help box.)

How often is the hose used to clean driveways, patios, sidewalks, or other pavement areas?

When you wash a car at home, is the hose turned off when the water isn't needed?

Is the swimming pool and/or hot tub covered at night and at times when it isn't being used for extended periods?

Do any faucets, pipes, or toilets leak? (To learn how to check for leaks, see the Leaks help box.)

Part 3: Reducing Waste & Pollution

How often does your family use disposable “throw away” products (paper or plastic plates, cups, utensils) instead of ones that can be reused?

When you use paper towels and napkins, do you usually take only as many as you really need?

What does your family do with usable items that you no longer want (clothes, books, toys, furniture)?

Does your family recycle used newspapers, metal cans, plastic and glass bottles, cardboard boxes, etc.? (See the Ways to Recycle help box.)

What does your family do with grass clippings and other yard waste?

Does your family use products (e.g., cleaners, polishes, paints, solvents) that are safe for the environment? (Not sure? See the Environmentally-Friendly help box.)

How does your family usually dispose of hazardous waste products? (See the What’s Hazardous? help box.)

Do you or any family members ever throw trash—including food wrappers, paper, straws, drink cans—on the ground?

Do members of your family carpool or take public transportation to school or work on most days?

How do family members usually get to places that are close to home?

Do you combine several errands into one car trip instead of separate trips?

What type of yard equipment does your family or gardener use?

What type of barbeque does your family have at home?

Does your family burn wood in a fireplace or wood stove?

Finished?

Part 1:
Conserving Energy

Part 2:
Saving Water

If sprinklers are used—either built-in or attached to the
hose—does a lot of the surrounding pavement get wet?

Part 3:
Reducing Waste & Pollution