Bloomfield Resident Creates Energy-Efficient Medical Practice for Greener Living

There has been much discussion over going green lately, with many people believing that it’s the way of the future. Despite all the talk, however, how many people can actually say they’re doing their part to help preserve the environment?

One Bloomfield Township resident has taken his conservation efforts to a whole new level.

Efficient Savings

Dr. Ali Alhimiri says his Allen Park medical office is a space that is sustainable, comfortable and eco-friendly.

That’s largely because the 5,200-square-foot building is internally operated by a geo-exchange system, where the earth is the sole source of heating and cooling inside. Electricity is generated by four rows of 20-kilowatt solar panels on the roof. There is no gas line, either; instead, a dozen wells under the parking lot contain an antifreeze/water mix that is pumped into the building.

“It really came down to saving money for the long term by lowering our utility costs tremendously,” Alhimiri said. “This past May, our building of 20 occupants cost just $60 in electricity use.”

Alhimiri, 40, was born in Iraq and came to the United States in 1995. He moved to Bloomfield 10 years ago and practiced in Allen Park since 2002.

His new office is currently in the process of becoming LEED Silver certified by the U.S. Green Building Council. The LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, aninternationally recognized certification system of the U.S.Green Building Council. It is  awarded based on the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings.

Alhimiri’s physical medicine and rehabilitation office is the first commercial business in the state to join DTE’s SolarCurrents program. Through this agreement, the office is able to sell any unused electricity that it generates to DTE.

Though the $130,000 cost of the solar panels may sound extreme, Alhimiri estimates that the funds will be reimbursed within a four-year period. He will receive 11 cents per kilowatt-hour sold for the next 20 years in the form of a renewable energy credit, under his agreement with DTE. He estimates saving a minimum of $1,000 a month.

Greener Living

The medical office was completed in January after just four months of construction. Alhimiri, who refers to himself as being conscious of waste, said he sought a professional space with a solution to the fluctuating cost of utilities.

He also has a personal philosophy of making things last.

“I try to make use of things over and over until it can’t be used anymore,” said Alhimiri. “I believe in conservation and wasting less of everything, including energy.”

Alhimiri hopes to expand his green efforts, including possibly installing a plug-in charging station for electric cars in the building's parking lot. He also is considering the idea of constructing another, similar office.

Overall, he hopes others will catch on and start changing the planet.

“Instead of purchasing a brand-new vehicle, I chose to purchase brand-new solar panels; people can do their part,” said the father of two. “I want to help make the environment better 50 new years from now.”