AROUND HOME : Eco-Home Tour

THE ECO-HOME in the Los Feliz neighborhood of Los Angeles looks like an ordinary single-family house--which is part of the point. Working with the basics found in any home and with a minimum of remodeling, the house is a demonstration of how to adapt sound ecological principles to daily life.

One of the tour leaders, Bob Walter, who lives in the house, provides a humorous but informative running commentary on the features of the Eco-Home, which utilizes solar panels for hot-water heating and some electricity and is outfitted with water-conserving bathroom fixtures. Without being preachy, he offers many suggestions for ways to rethink the daily routine and incorporate ecologically responsible habits. The suggestions are so numerous that everyone comes away with at least one usable idea. One child volunteer is invited to “test flush” the low-flow toilet and demonstrate that water-conserving fixtures work just as well as the “normal” kind.

The drought-tolerant landscaping of the home includes a canopy of deciduous trees that shades the entrance, cooling the house in summer but letting sun in to warm it in winter. Fruit trees and vegetable gardens occupy the back yard. Yard rakings and kitchen waste are composted in the rear of the gardens. Children are always surprised to discover that there is no objectionable odor from the compost bins.

Tours of the house are offered twice a week. Children 10 years and older are permitted on the regular tours. Special tours for groups of children, with commentary tailored to their attention span and level of understanding, can be scheduled. For reservations, telephone Eco-Home at (213) 662-5207; $5 per person--group rates are available.