Alivs Projects: Affordable Green

The City of Fresno, California is sponsoring a "Green Building Demonstration Project" aimed at displaying the feasibility of cost-effective green building. As part of this project, BIRA will be performing advanced monitoring at three homes, one of which will use a concrete structural insulated panel (CSIP) wall system along with green building principles. Alvis Projects, the builder of all three homes, is committed to finding real solutions to building energy-efficient, sustainable homes by utilizing innovative materials that increase energy savings and reduce labor to offset the cost of these innovative products.

Ongoing BIRA research in Borrego Springs, CA displays the value of thermal mass in maintaining comfort and shifting peak electricity use through pre-cooling in hot/mixed dry climates. The value of interior mass is further benefited by the diurnal temperature swings found in many climates throughout the hot/mixed dry climate areas. Utilizing automated night-cooling, the mass in tight well insulated homes can carry the occupants through the peak electricity period with minimal or no cooling demand. This project is aimed at integrating the optimal amount of mass into this home for pre-cooling strategies utilizing the CSIP walls, interior plaster, and a concrete floor.

The primary focus of the investigation will be on evaluating the whole-house performance and the contribution of the CSIP wall system to the overall energy efficiency of the home. Efficiency will be evaluated through multiple data gathering efforts including the use of thermal couples, current transformers, and a communicating data logging system. An additional aspect of the evaluation will be to assess the cost effectiveness and constructability of the CSIP wall system. Through monitoring and analysis, BIRA hopes to show similar results as found in Borrego Springs.

More information