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How We See It

When oil was cheap and energy costs were low, we had different ideas of how to design and build homes. It wasn’t a big concern that our single-pane windows were horribly inefficient and that we didn’t have insulation in our attics. If it got cold, we just turned up the heat.

Times have changed.

We now see in a much more global way. And few things affect us as much as the cost of energy.

It is the goal of Alvis Projects, Inc. to design and build, cost effective, energy efficient buildings holistically. We also refer to this concept as Totally Integrated, meaning everything in a building is connected to everything else in the building. While we aren’t yet able to claim “total” building integration, it will remain our primary mission until that goal is reached. Some of the basic methods we employ, towards a totally integrated building, follow.

First, we do it by building with materials which reduce the amount of energy needed to heat and cool: Materials such as insulated concrete forms (ICF's) and structural insulated panels (SIP's). The walls, floor and roof, “the shell” of our buildings literally save, and actively control, energy.

Wherever possible, AlvisProjects’ buildings are designed to exploit the surrounding environment. Items like, climate, prevailing winds, natural (as well as planned) shading, soil temperature, and building orientation are all important factors which our buildings are aware of, and attempt to use to their greatest benefit. The idea is to squeeze as much cooling and heating from natural sources as possible, before resorting to man-made means. When necessary, we install super-efficient, mechanical equipment to supplement passive environmental control methods.

Second, we incorporate energy efficient systems that use less energy or even make it. We put grid-tied, photovoltaic systems on the roof and install radiant heating systems in the floor. We incorporate natural light whenever possible and, of course, install energy efficient doors, and dual pane windows. We employ “cool roofs”, managed ventilation, and super insulating techniques throughout the entire building shell, including the floor and even the concrete slab itself.

OK, so we can do it. The question is: can we afford it? To answer this question, we need to look at the “true” cost of a building. AlvisProjects believes we must consider not only the cost of construction, and long term operation of the building, but also the health and comfort of its occupants. Finally we have to consider the cost (or benefit) to the environment; who can even begin to calculate this cost?

If all we are interested in is the bottom line construction cost, we would end up with a house that may look good, but cost a fortune to run. Yes we need to keep the cost of purchasing the building down, but we also need to consider the ongoing costs and the effect of the building on the community. What we need is a balance.

The ultimate goal would be buildings that made as much energy as they consumed: a net zero building. Which believe it or not, we can do.

Because we are blessed with abundant sunshine here in the Central Valley of California, we have found that by combining a super efficient building envelope, or shell, with energy efficient appliances and a solar power generation system, we can build houses that make just as much energy as they use. The key is to do this at a competitive price, and the key to building energy efficient buildings at a competitive price is education and information.  AlvisProjects has the keys…..would you like to borrow them?

- Mark Alvis, President, Alvis Projects, Inc.

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