Energy Efficiency and Sustainability Survey
Germantown Monthly Meeting
Introduction
The Climate Change Action Working Group of GMM is made up of Meeting members
and attenders concerned about the impact that burning fossil fuels has on the Earth’s
environment and the long-term sustainability of human life on the planet. We believe that
humans are called and have an obligation to preserve and protect the natural environment
The Climate Change Action Working Group meets monthly to discuss ways that we can,
individually and as a Meeting, promote more energy efficient and sustainable behavior.
Such things can include individual investments in our homes to make them more energy
efficient, individual purchasing decisions and life style choices, collective action by the
Meeting to make it more energy efficient and individual or collective action to support
public policies promoting a low carbon economy and more sustainable human society.
Purpose of the Survey
This survey solicits information from meeting members and attenders on actions they
have already taken or are considering taking to improve the energy efficiency of their
homes and in other respects reduce their impact on the environment. Response to the
survey is, of course, completely voluntary.
There are several reasons for asking the questions (and we hope, motivations to
participate in the survey):
 Provide a bench mark for where we are as a Meeting community as of 2010 in
responding to the need to improve energy efficiency and adopt sustainable
practices.
 Identify those who have made specific changes and improvements and who would
be willing to share information with others in our community on their experience.
Successful or effective steps that you may have taken can inform and motivate
others.
 For people who are considering but are undecided about making energy efficiency
improvements or other changes, there are members of the Meeting who have
expertise or experience and could answer questions that might help you determine
a successful course of action.
 Finally part of the Climate Change group’s mission is to inform and advise the
Meeting and its members and attenders on issues and options related to the
climate, global warming and environmental sustainability. Questions at the end of
the survey solicit your opinion on programs or activities that would be most
helpful.
Survey Questions
Home Owner?
Renter?
The following questions primarily apply to home owners rather than renters. If you are a
renter it is possible that you or your landlord has taken some of these actions.
Actions around Your Home
Had a formal energy audit of my home
Installed Compact Fluorescent bulbs
Weather stripping / weatherization
Added attic or other insulation
Installed whole house or attic fan or vents
for cooling
Installed reflective roof treatment
Installed storm windows and/or doors
Installed thermal windows or doors
Use a woodstove or fireplace insert to heat
Installed high efficiency heating system
Installed high efficiency refrigerator or
freezer
Installed other high efficiency appliance(s)
What did you install?
Installed solar hot water heater
Installed solar photovoltaic panels
Adjusted thermostat or water heater temp
to save energy
Purchased electricity generated from wind
or other renewable energy source
Are you reducing unnecessary use of high
energy appliances such as electric dryers,
and air conditioners?
Do you dry your clothes by hanging on a
line?
Do you use window or ceiling fans in
preference to air conditioning?
Have Done
Are
Considering
Want more
information
Do you regularly shop at farmers markets,
CSA's (community supported agriculture),
urban gardens, etc. for your fresh produce?
Do you have a backyard garden to supply
fresh vegetables to your kitchen?
Do you regularly recycle organic waste
from your home/yard into a compost heap?
Do you properly dispose of hazardous
items such as batteries and old electronic
equipment at a city hazardous dropoff site?
Other Actions taken around the house
Please list or describe:
Of the things you have done which do you think has been the most effective in reducing
your energy consumption and costs?
I own a car
I don’t own a car
Transportation & Travel Actions
Use public transportation more
Walk or ride a bicycle more
Car pool or ride share
“Tele-commute” to work
How many days per week? _______
Purchased or leased a smaller or more
energy efficient vehicle
Purchased or leased a gas/electric hybrid
vehicle
Travel less by plane (business)
Travel less by plane (personal)
Purchase credits to compensate for CO2
from my air travel
Have Done
Are
Considering
Want more
information
Other transportation or travel actions taken
Please list or describe:
Personal and household actions are important but it is also important to urge our state and
national governments to enact legislation and regulation to reduce reliance on fossil fuels
and encourage renewable energy and to be involved with the community to encourage
sustainability.
Social & Political Actions
Urge my employer or school to take action
to conserve energy
Urge my employer or school to take action
to recycle
Speak to family members or friends urging
efficiency and conservation actions
Write a letter or e-mail to my Senator or
Representative supporting legislation
Call my Senator or Representative
supporting legislation
Participate in local neighborhood or
community group supporting energy or
environmental issues (recycling,
community gardening, etc)
Attend lectures, workshops to become
better informed on energy issues
Subscribe to email newsletters from
organizations addressing climate and
energy issues (Union of Concerned
Scientists, Pew Center, 350.org, etc.)
Attend rally or demonstration on climate
change and energy issues
Write letter to the editor urging action to
address climate change and energy issues
Have Done
Are
Considering
Want more
information
Are you keeping informed about Mayor
Nutter's Philadelphia Greenworks
program, which aims to improve the
sustainability of the city ?
Other social or political actions taken
Please list or describe: