Online Survey: Energy Costs and Comfort Issues in Ithaca Rentals

Sustainable Tompkins is a local nonprofit that has been helping lower-income residents reduce their energy bills since 2010. We are collecting information on how home energy costs and comfort issues are affecting tenants in Ithaca. There are some new sources of state funding to help pay for clean energy improvements, but we need more detailed information about the arrangements between landlords and tenants for utility payments, comfort issues, and your interest in having energy improvements made in your rental. Please fill out our survey and tell us about your home. It should only take 5-6 minutes.

1.Do you live in the City or Town of Ithaca?

City of Ithaca

Town of Ithaca

Neither

2.What is your street address?

House number (plus Apartment if applicable)

Street Name

3.Are you able to keep your home at a comfortable temperature?

Yes

4.If you answered 'No' to question 3, please check all that apply of the following statements.

Some rooms are too cold in the winter

Some rooms are too hot in the winter

Some rooms are uncomfortably hot in the summer

There are uncomfortable drafts in some rooms

6.How is payment for heating and electricity handled for your household?

I pay for both electricity and heating

I pay for my electricity, but the heating is included in the rent

The electricity and heating costs are included in the rent

Other arrangement (please specify)

8.How do you keep cool in your house during a heat wave?

Window air conditioners cool most of house

Central air conditioning

Fans only

Fans and 1-2 window air conditioners

No fans or AC, just manage the heat by drawing blinds or opening windows

I don't know

Other (please specify)

10.Do you remember what your household's highest electric and gas utility bill was for this past winter?

12.Are there people in your home with heat sensitivity concerns, such as seniors, infants or toddlers?

Yes

I don't know

If yes, please specify health issue or age of those with heat intolerance.

13.Do people in your household have these particular health issues on an ongoing basis? (Check all that apply.)

Other (please specify)

14.Do you have any of the following indoor air quality issues in your home? (Check all that apply.)

Molds or mildews

Fumes and bad smells from items such as carpets, furniture, and paints (offgassing)

Noticeable odors or soot from cookstoves, water heaters or furnaces

Poor ventilation or excessive humidity

Contaminants from tobacco, perfume, disinfectants, solvents

Radon (a radioactive gas found in basements)

I don't know

None of the above

Other (please specify)

15.What type of rental unit do you live in?

Single family

Duplex (2 dwelling units in one building)

Triplex (3 dwelling units in one building)

Quadplex (4 dwelling units in one building)

5 or more dwelling units in one building

Other arrangement:

16.Have you needed to talk to your landlord about energy bills or comfort issues?

Yes

If yes, what was the issue and the outcome?

17.If your landlord were to invest in a new clean energy heating system for your rental unit, how easy would it be for your household to accommodate having installers work in your home for 1-2 days?

Extremely difficult

Moderately difficult

Slightly disruptive

Very manageable

No problem at all

Any specific needs to address?

23.What is your gender identity?

Woman

Man

Non-Binary

Prefer not to disclose

Prefer to self describe:

25.Additional comments?

Online Survey: Energy Costs and Comfort Issues in Ithaca Rentals

Is your rental unit comfortable and energy efficient?