Conscious Living, Inside and Out
There are some error(s). Please see each marked section below.
Progress:
ENERGY CONSERVATION A well designed landscape can reduce heating and cooling costs. On average, landscaping for energy efficiency provides enough energy savings to return an initial investment in less than 8 years. *U.S. Department of Energy
1.
If you could save money on heating, cooling and energy use, which of the following might you consider?
Home or office energy audit (identify sources of energy loss)
Home or office energy audit (identify sources of energy loss)
Site analysis (optimize energy conservation for new construction)
Site analysis (optimize energy conservation for new construction)
Solar panels (to power swimming pool and spa)
Solar panels (to power swimming pool and spa)
Shade structures (cool places to sit)
Shade structures (cool places to sit)
Shade trees (increase amount of shade on house)
Shade trees (increase amount of shade on house)
Live wind breaks (block chilling winds)
Live wind breaks (block chilling winds)
Sky lights (add natural light)
Sky lights (add natural light)
Low voltage or LED lighting (energy saving)
Low voltage or LED lighting (energy saving)
Green roof (vegetative or non-vegetative; cooling and insulation, noise reduction)
Green roof (vegetative or non-vegetative; cooling and insulation, noise reduction)
Green wall (shade, cooling and insulation, noise reduction, screening)
Green wall (shade, cooling and insulation, noise reduction, screening)
2.
Adding non-conditioned living spaces or moving activities outside during warmer months can help conserve energy at your home. Which of the following might you consider?
Porch (open or screened-in)
Porch (open or screened-in)
Conservatory
Conservatory
Gazebo
Gazebo
Pavilion
Pavilion
Pool house
Pool house
Smoking shed
Smoking shed
Grill or cooking area
Grill or cooking area
Shower (poolside)
Shower (poolside)
Trellised sitting area
Trellised sitting area
Fireplace
Fireplace
Spa
Spa
WATER MANAGEMENT The benefits of correcting existing water-related issues and incorporating water-conserving landscaping strategies will improve your overall water use efficiency, conserve energy and help produce a healthy garden.
3.
What issues or concerns do you have with water on your site? Check all that apply.
Gutter and downspout failures
Gutter and downspout failures
Erosion from storm water
Erosion from storm water
Standing water
Standing water
Clogged drains (interior or exterior)
Clogged drains (interior or exterior)
Water entering window wells
Water entering window wells
Cracks or leaks in foundation walls or floors
Cracks or leaks in foundation walls or floors
Water seepage through basement floor, doors or garage
Water seepage through basement floor, doors or garage
Moisture or mold on interior walls
Moisture or mold on interior walls
Sump pump inefficiency or lack thereof
Sump pump inefficiency or lack thereof
Exterior basement stairwell collapse
Exterior basement stairwell collapse
Other
4.
How concerned are you with storm water runoff and water conservation as it relates to the environment?
Very concerned
Very concerned
Somewhat concerned
Somewhat concerned
Not concerned
Not concerned
5.
How concerned are you with storm water runoff and water conservation as it relates to your site?
Very concerned
Very concerned
Somewhat concerned
Somewhat concerned
Not concerned
Not concerned
6.
If keeping storm water on your site is a concern, what method(s) might you consider?
Rain barrels (to collect and reuse roof runoff in the garden)
Rain barrels (to collect and reuse roof runoff in the garden)
Rain gardens (aesthetic; filtration, dispersion and infiltration)
Rain gardens (aesthetic; filtration, dispersion and infiltration)
Dry wells (erosion control thru water diversion; underground infiltration)
Dry wells (erosion control thru water diversion; underground infiltration)
Cistern (underground collection; reuse for irrigation)
Cistern (underground collection; reuse for irrigation)
Permeable paving (reduces runoff; filtration, dispersion and infiltration)
Permeable paving (reduces runoff; filtration, dispersion and infiltration)
Green roof (vegetative or non-vegetative; collection and reduced runoff)
Green roof (vegetative or non-vegetative; collection and reduced runoff)
7.
What methods of water conservation might you consider for your site? Check all that apply.
Raising mowing heights to 2 ½ - 3" (to slow down runoff)
Raising mowing heights to 2 ½ - 3" (to slow down runoff)
Turf reduction (will reduce need for supplemental watering)
Turf reduction (will reduce need for supplemental watering)
Shade tree installation (reduces evaporative loss)
Shade tree installation (reduces evaporative loss)
Non-invasive groundcover installation (to slow down runoff)
Non-invasive groundcover installation (to slow down runoff)
Reduce the amount of mulch used in planting beds
Reduce the amount of mulch used in planting beds
Composting instead of mulching
Composting instead of mulching
Increasing native plants in your landscape (reduction in watering needs)
Increasing native plants in your landscape (reduction in watering needs)
Test soil to gauge fertilization needs
Test soil to gauge fertilization needs
Other
SUSTAINABILITY A characteristic of a process or state that can be maintained at a certain level indefinitely without depleting natural resources.
8.
Does your HOA provide guidelines for sustainable landscapes?
Yes
Yes
No
No
Not sure but I can find out
Not sure but I can find out
I don't have an HOA
I don't have an HOA