Free Environmental School Survey

Question 1 of 40

Part 1:
Conserving Energy

1. Heating System

How old is your school's heating and cooling system?

Less than 15 years old

15 years or older

Don't know/can't determine

Question 2 of 40

2. Heating System Maintenance

Is your school's heating and cooling system maintained on a regular basis?

Yes

No

Don't know/can't determine

Question 3 of 40

3. Heating Temperature

At what temperature are the heater thermostats set when school is in session?

68 degrees or lower

69 degrees or higher

Don't have thermostats for heating

Question 4 of 40

4. Cooling Temperature

At what temperature are air conditioner (cooling) thermostats usually set when school is in session?

78 degrees or higher

77 degrees or lower

Don't have thermostats for air conditioning/cooling

Question 5 of 40

5. Nighttime/Weekend Temperature

Is the heating/cooling system turned down or off at night and on weekends when the school is empty?

Yes

No

Don’t have a heating/cooling system

Question 6 of 40

6. Empty Rooms

Is the heating/cooling system turned off or are vents closed in rooms that are not being used for a day or more?

Yes

No

Don’t have a heating/cooling system

Question 7 of 40

7. Windows and Doors

Are windows and outside doors kept closed when the heating or air conditioning is on?

Yes

No, sometimes they are left open

Don’t have a heating/cooling system

Question 8 of 40

8. Air Leaks

Does air leak in and out of closed windows or doors? (Not sure? See the Draftometer Test help box.)

No

Yes, there are some air leaks

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.
Also test electrical boxes and outlets (plugs), pipes, air ducts, and other locations where there is a possible air path to the outside.

Question 9 of 40

9. Blocked Vents

Are any heating or air conditioning vents blocked by furniture or other obstructions, such as bookshelves, equipment, drapes?

No

Yes

Don’t have vents

Question 10 of 40

10. Shaded Buildings

During hot weather, are the sunny sides of school buildings shaded in the afternoons by trees, awnings, or other sun barriers?

Yes

No

Question 11 of 40

11. Lights

Are the lights off in rooms that are not being used?

Yes, most of the time

No, lights are usually left on

Question 12 of 40

12. Lighting System

How old is your school's lighting system?

Less than 5 years old

More than 5 years old

Can't determine

Question 13 of 40

13. Natural Light

Do most classrooms use natural light (not electric lights) when possible?

Yes

No

Most classrooms do not have outside windows or skylights

Question 14 of 40

14. Outdoor Lighting

What types of bulbs are used in outdoor lights? (Not sure? See the Outdoor Lights help box.)

Fluorescent or high-pressure sodium

Incandescent

No outdoor lights

Outdoor Lights

Incandescent bulbs are the typical round bulbs, which get very hot.
Fluorescent bulbs are either straight tubes or tubes bent into compact bulbs, which stay cool.
High-pressure sodium bulbs emit a yellowish light.

Question 15 of 40

15. Computer Equipment

Are computers and monitors turned off at the end of the school day?

Yes, most of the time

No, they are often left on all night

Question 16 of 40

16. Phantom Loads

Do many classrooms and offices have phantom loads? (See the Phantom Loads help box.)

No

Yes, many have phantom loads

Phantom Loads

Phantom loads are created by appliances or 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. These "energy vampires" in schools can include:

TVs
DVD players
cable boxes
computer equipment
audio equipment
projectors
microwaves
hot plates
coffee makers
chargers

Question 17 of 40

Part 2:
Saving Water

17. Indoor Leaks

Are indoor drinking fountains, faucets, pipes, and showerheads free of leaks? (Check classrooms, hallways, restrooms, gyms, cafeteria.)

Yes

No, there are some leaks

Question 18 of 40

18. Faucets

Are all faucets, drinking fountains, and showers turned off when not being used?

Yes

No, some faucets are left on

Question 19 of 40

19. Toilet Type

What type of toilets are installed in your school? (See the Toilet Type help box.)

Low flush or high efficiency

Regular

Toilet Type

Under the tank lid or just behind the seat, the number of gallons per flush or the toilet type might be indicated. Or ask the school maintenance supervisor.

An older regular toilet uses 3.5 to 7 gallons per flush.
A low flush toilet uses 1.6 gallons per flush.
A high-efficiency toilet uses 1.3 gallons or less per flush.

Question 20 of 40

20. Outdoor Leaks

Are outdoor hoses, pipes, sprinklers, faucets, and drinking fountains free of leaks?

Yes

No, there are some leaks

Question 21 of 40

21. Clean-Ups

How often are walkways or paved areas cleaned with water from the hose?

Never or rarely

Often

Question 22 of 40

22. Pool Cover

Is a cover placed over the swimming pool at night and at other times when the pool is not being used?

Yes

No, not always

Don’t have a pool at our school

Question 23 of 40

23. Sprinkler Type

If automatic sprinklers are used, what type are they? (Not sure? See the Sprinklers help box.)

Rotating nozzle

Conventional fan spray

Don't have automatic sprinklers

Sprinklers

Conventional pop-up automatic sprinklers spray a fan of water across the grass.
Rotating sprinklers project streams of water while the sprinkler head rotates to cover the area.

Question 24 of 40

24. Condition of Sprinklers

Are all of the outdoor sprinkler heads working properly—spraying evenly in the right direction with no water gushing or trickling out?

Yes

No, some sprinkler heads are not working properly

Don’t have automatic sprinklers

Question 25 of 40

25. Overspray

Are there areas where the sprinklers—automatic or manual—spray a lot of water onto the pavement?

No

Yes

Don't use sprinklers

Question 26 of 40

26. Runoff

When the sprinklers are on, how much water runs onto paved areas?

Not very much

Quite a lot

Don't use sprinklers

Question 27 of 40

27. Seasonal Watering

Are the grounds watered less during cooler months and not at all when it is raining?

Yes

No, watering schedule always stays the same

Don’t have grounds to water

Question 28 of 40

28. Mulch

Do most of the trees and other outdoor plants have mulch around them to slow water evaporation? (See the What's Mulch? help box.)

Yes

No

Don’t have trees or plants

What's Mulch?

Mulch covers the soil but allows water to permeate and slows water evaporation. It might be woodchips, shredded tree bark, sawdust, straw, grass clippings, rubber shavings, or other organic or inorganic material.

Question 29 of 40

Part 3:
Reducing Waste & Pollution

29. Disposable vs. Reusable

Does your cafeteria use disposable ("throw-away") plates, utensils, cups, glasses, and trays?

No, most can be washed and reused

Yes, most everything is disposable

Don’t have a cafeteria

Question 30 of 40

30. Paper Napkins and Towels

When taking paper napkins or paper towels, do students often take more than they really need?

No

Yes, students often take more than they use

Question 31 of 40

31. Paper

Do most students, teachers, and staff usually write and print on both sides of paper?

Yes

No

Question 32 of 40

32. Recycling

Are metal cans, plastic and glass bottles, cardboard, writing paper, and other paper items recycled? (See Ways to Recycle help box.)

Yes

No

Don't know

Ways to Recycle

There are several ways that your school might recycle:

You might have separate containers for recyclable and non-recyclable waste that are picked up by your trash collector.
You might put all waste in the same containers because your trash company sorts out recyclables.
You might save recyclables and take them to a recycle center.

Question 33 of 40

33. Green Waste

Are grass clippings and other "green waste" at your school composted? (See the Ways to Compost help box.)

Yes

No

Don't have green waste

Ways to Compost

There are several ways that your school might compost:

"Green waste" is put into a compost pile or bin at your school or at a district site.
"Green waste" goes into separate containers that are picked up by your trash collector.

Question 34 of 40

34. Environmentally-Friendly Products

Are cleaners, polishes, paints, and other products used at school safe for the environment? (Not sure? See the Environmentally-Friendly help box.)

Yes, almost all products are safe for the environment

No, many products are not safe

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," "dangerous," "caution," or "warning." Products that are safe for the environment are often water-based or derived from natural ingredients.

Question 35 of 40

35. Hazardous Wastes

How are hazardous wastes disposed of? (See the What's Hazardous? help box.)

Taken to special hazardous waste disposal sites in our community

Put in the regular trash can or poured onto the ground or down 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
pesticides
ink cartridges
batteries
electronic equipment

Question 36 of 40

36. Litter

How much litter is on the floors or the ground throughout your school?

None or very little

Quite a lot

Question 37 of 40

37. Carpooling

Do most students travel in carpools if they come to school by car? (Not sure? See the Carpools help box.)

Yes, most cars bring more than one student

No, most cars bring only one student

Very few students come by car

Carpools

Survey all the students at your school asking if they come by car and, if so, how many students are in the car. Or as student arrive at school, count how many arrive by car and how many students are in each car.

Question 38 of 40

38. Buses

Do school bus drivers turn off their engines when waiting for more than 30 seconds?

Yes

No, some drivers keep their engines running while waiting

No school buses

Question 39 of 40

39. Age of School Buses

Are all of the school buses less than 10 years old?

Yes

No, some buses are more than 10 years old

No school buses

Question 40 of 40

40. Grounds Maintenance

What type of equipment is used for grounds maintenance?

Manual or electric equipment

Gasoline-powered mower and/or blower

Directions to Enter Your Answers

Part 1: Conserving Energy

How old is your school's heating and cooling system?

Is your school's heating and cooling system maintained on a regular basis?

At what temperature are the heater thermostats set when school is in session?

At what temperature are air conditioner (cooling) thermostats usually set when school is in session?

Is the heating/cooling system turned down or off at night and on weekends when the school is empty?

Is the heating/cooling system turned off or are vents closed in rooms that are not being used for a day or more?

Are windows and outside doors kept closed when the heating or air conditioning is on?

Does air leak in and out of closed windows or doors? (Not sure? See the Draftometer Test help box.)

Are any heating or air conditioning vents blocked by furniture or other obstructions, such as bookshelves, equipment, drapes?

During hot weather, are the sunny sides of school buildings shaded in the afternoons by trees, awnings, or other sun barriers?

Are the lights off in rooms that are not being used?

How old is your school's lighting system?

Do most classrooms use natural light (not electric lights) when possible?

What types of bulbs are used in outdoor lights? (Not sure? See the Outdoor Lights help box.)

Are computers and monitors turned off at the end of the school day?

Do many classrooms and offices have phantom loads? (See the Phantom Loads help box.)

Part 2: Saving Water

Are indoor drinking fountains, faucets, pipes, and showerheads free of leaks? (Check classrooms, hallways, restrooms, gyms, cafeteria.)

Are all faucets, drinking fountains, and showers turned off when not being used?

What type of toilets are installed in your school? (See the Toilet Type help box.)

Are outdoor hoses, pipes, sprinklers, faucets, and drinking fountains free of leaks?

How often are walkways or paved areas cleaned with water from the hose?

Is a cover placed over the swimming pool at night and at other times when the pool is not being used?

If automatic sprinklers are used, what type are they? (Not sure? See the Sprinklers help box.)

Are all of the outdoor sprinkler heads working properly—spraying evenly in the right direction with no water gushing or trickling out?

Are there areas where the sprinklers—automatic or manual—spray a lot of water onto the pavement?

When the sprinklers are on, how much water runs onto paved areas?

Are the grounds watered less during cooler months and not at all when it is raining?

Do most of the trees and other outdoor plants have mulch around them to slow water evaporation? (See the What's Mulch? help box.)

Part 3: Reducing Waste & Pollution

Does your cafeteria use disposable ("throw-away") plates, utensils, cups, glasses, and trays?

When taking paper napkins or paper towels, do students often take more than they really need?

Do most students, teachers, and staff usually write and print on both sides of paper?

Are metal cans, plastic and glass bottles, cardboard, writing paper, and other paper items recycled? (See Ways to Recycle help box.)

Are grass clippings and other "green waste" at your school composted? (See the Ways to Compost help box.)

Are cleaners, polishes, paints, and other products used at school safe for the environment? (Not sure? See the Environmentally-Friendly help box.)

How are hazardous wastes disposed of? (See the What's Hazardous? help box.)

How much litter is on the floors or the ground throughout your school?

Do most students travel in carpools if they come to school by car? (Not sure? See the Carpools help box.)

Do school bus drivers turn off their engines when waiting for more than 30 seconds?

Are all of the school buses less than 10 years old?

What type of equipment is used for grounds maintenance?

Finished?

Part 1:
Conserving Energy

Part 2:
Saving Water

Part 3:
Reducing Waste & Pollution