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 many workshops on making your home more energy efficient.
  • AHFC has a home energy audit program called AkWarm. You can find info on it and download it to rate your home here. Alternatively, you can have an AkWarm certified technician come to your house and do an energy audit for you. They will show you where your house is losing energy and make recommendations for improvement.
  • 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 Greeen Building Council can provide useful resources.
• The US government provides a number of resources to aid in improving your home's energy use.  They provide a free website to help you do a self audit of your home's energy use, which can be tried here . Another great resource for tips on how to remodel your home is available from the Department of Housing and Urban Development. This resource includes extensive how-to details on each remodeling project, including cost and payback time, modeled 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 info 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.