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Philadelphia Magazine: Green Homes

PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ― It's good to be eco-friendly. Especially since this Sunday marks the 37th annual Earth Day.

But if you're environmentally challenged check out Philadelphia Magazine to learn about the greenest homes in our area. Susan Barnett reports.

Whether you agree with Al Gore's Global Warming theory or not, going green can save you money and make your home look pretty cool. But first you have to know how to make your house eco-friendly.

In Perkiomen, Montgomery County Jackie O'Neil's country chalet is the first in the nation to earn a Gold Rating from the United States Green Building Council.

Jackie says that means, "The sustainable use of materials, an Energy Star electrical package, low flow water appliances in the house and native landscaping."

Jackie used recycled cedar logs for support columns. Her wood shelves, wood trim and furniture are all made from walnut trees that were cut to make way for the house. The home's southern exposure and solar panels maximize the sun's power.

Jackie says that "solar electricity comes into the house and that runs the electrical appliances." In fact Jackie generates excess power that she sells back to the Philadelphia Energy Cooperative.

But it doesn't have to be a country chalet to be a green home. In the heart of Center City grows an eco-friendly loft.

According to architect Juliet Whelan who designed the Center City loft, "We used day lighting throughout."

Skylights provide energy efficient lighting. Steps with open risers let in that daylight from above. And the countertops are recycled glass and concrete. Everything recycled or as natural as possible.

Juliet says, "It's important to architects for that to be one aspect of design and thinking about the environmental repercussions of what we build."

Philadelphia Magazine's Lauren McCutcheon says Philly is one of the greenest cities in America.

"We have the highest population of people who walk to work which is green and we have one of the first car share programs".

So it's only natural to be eco-chic at home.

According to Philadelphia Magazine you don't have to spend thousands to Go Green.

Inside the April issue you will find 31 "Go Green" ideas that are inexpensive and small changes you can make to be eco-friendly at home.

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