GREEN-FRIENDLY HOMES ON DISPLAY.Byline: Kerry Cavanaugh Staff Writer Three San Fernando Valley San Fernando Valley Valley, southern California, U.S. Northwest of central Los Angeles, the valley is bounded by the San Gabriel, Santa Susana, and Santa Monica mountains and the Simi Hills. families will open their solar-powered and environmentally friendly Environmentally friendly, also referred to as nature friendly, is a term used to refer to goods and services considered to inflict minimal harm on the environment.[1] homes Saturday to demonstrate ways Angelenos can create energy- and water-efficient abodes. Part of the National Tour of Solar Homes, the free self-guided tour A self-guided tour is where one navigates a route themselves as opposed to an escorted tours where a tour guide person directs the route, times, information, and places toured. Many self-guided tours come with suggestions, maps, instructions, directions, and items to see or do. will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Stops include Ellen Mackey's 1950s ranch-style home, which she describes as a showcase of reasonably easy changes that can significantly cut energy and water demands. ``These are just regular homes - they aren't high end, architecturally interesting buildings using cutting-edge technology. Mackey said. ``People can see these homes and feel empowered to start making changes in their own life and their own home.'' Mackey's front yard is covered in native plants. Her back yard is a vegetable garden and she has 16 fruits, much of the vegetation irrigated with captured rainwater and water recycled from indoor use. Her water bill is between $6 and $20 a month. She recycles, mulches and composts, only putting out trash once a month. The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) is the largest municipal utility in the United States, serving 3.9 million residents in 2006. It was founded in 1902 to deliver water and electricity supplies to residents and businesses in Los Angeles. installed solar panels as part of a demonstration project and Mackey installed insulation throughout the home. ``I haven't used an air conditioner conditioner, n 1. an additive substance used to increase the effectiveness of another substance. 2. a substance added to enamel that improves a sealant's ability to adhere. in four years in the East Valley,'' Mackey said. ``We have extra money now because we're not giving it to the DWP DWP Department of Work and Pensions (UK) DWP Drinking Water Program DWP Dynamic Weapon Pricing (gamin, Counter-Strike: Source) DWP Department of Water & Power DWP Drinking Water Protection . That's a lot more income for us to go on vacations and spend on other things.'' Stops include Mackey's home at 8300 Valecrest Drive, Sun Valley; the Forbes family's solar- and wind-powered home at 13444 Leach St., Sylmar; and the Williams-Baumgartens' green and whimsical whim·si·cal adj. 1. Determined by, arising from, or marked by whim or caprice. See Synonyms at arbitrary. 2. Erratic in behavior or degree of unpredictability: a whimsical personality. display of electric trains and waterfalls at 2425 Mountain Ave., La Crescenta. For more information on the tour, visit www.ecohome.org. Kerry Cavanaugh, (818) 713-3746 kerry.cavanaugh(at)dailynews.com |
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