Alaska Conservation Solutions

Background

When heat is lost more heat must be produced to replace it. If you remodel your home with such improvements as better insulation and improved windows, you can save on your electricity cost.

Getting your home Energy Star certified or AkWarm energy rated can raise its value. Learn about Energy Star certification guidelines here and here.  In 2006, 64% of new single family homes in Alaska were Energy Star and AkWarm certified, making our state second in the nation for new Energy Star homes. (Source: Energy Star)

Take Action Now!

• Alaska Housing Finance Corporation offers a variety of incentive programs and help for those interested in renovating their homes for energy efficiency. They also offer  a home energy audit program called AkWarm. A five star AkWarm rating automatically qualifies your home for Energy Star rating!  If you want to go above and beyond for certification, look into LEED (Leadership in Energy Efficient Design) standards. The Alaska Chapter of the US Green Building Council can provide useful resources.
• The US Department of Housing and Urban Development has a site dedicated to guidelines for energy efficient house remodeling. This resource includes extensive how-to details, including cost and payback time, adjusted to fit your specific home type.
• Visit the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy, Canada's Office of Energy Efficiency, Energy Star, and Chugach Electric for how-to tips on remodeling your home.
• Environmental Home Center is a supply center for recycled, and earth friendly building materials and products. Also, try Energy Federation's online store for home improvement materials.
• Visit Energy Star's interactive home improvement tool for fun tips on both reducing energy consumption and making your home more energy efficient with energy star rated products.
• If you are interested in purchasing a new home, Energy Star offers lists of builders, utilities, and financiers in Alaska who build energy star rated homes or who give mortgage discounts on energy star rated homes. View the list here.
• Some home improvements are eligible for tax incentives. See this page for more details.
• The VISTA Energy Program of Rural Alaska Community Action Program (RurAl CAP) offers the following house heating tips:
  
  > Clean your oil stove or furnace filter every month — it really does make a difference in the efficiency of an appliance.
  
  > If you use a woodstove, clean the chimney OFTEN (every 10 days during super-cold weather)—the stove will operate much more efficiently (for heating and indoor air quality).
  
  > In winter, open the window shades during sunlight hours (to let heat in) and then close them when it is dark (to keep the heat in).
  
  > DO NOT use your oven to heat the house — it costs a fortune in electricity and is dangerous.