Energy in Alaska

Energy Overview

Energy Overview Have you heard the saying about putting a drain plug in the bathtub before adding more water? That’s the same way we look at energy in a home. While the source of your energy is important (whether you heat with wood, diesel, or solar), it’s not the first priority in planning a house.…

Ventilation Overview

Ventilation Ventilation is critical in any climate because it replaces stale indoor air with fresh outdoor air, and flushes out potential pollutants caused by combustion appliances or offgassing materials. Ventilation is especially important in cold climates, where homes are often built tighter and allow less natural air leakage. Ventilation also controls indoor humidity, which is…

Foundations Overview

Foundations A building’s foundation must be carefully engineered to support the weight of the structure. In cold climates, foundations are susceptible to heat loss and damage related to surrounding soil conditions. With 80% of Alaska underlaid by permafrost, or permanently frozen ground, one of the greatest challenges is building foundations that can remain stable over…

Air Source Heat Pump

Air Source Heat Pumps

Air Source Heat Pumps Air source heat pumps have traditionally been used in warmer climates than Alaska for both heating and air conditioning. However, recent models of ASHPs are able to provide space heating at lower temperatures, down to 0°F. ASHPs take heat from the ambient air and use electricity to “step up” the heat…

brheathe System

BrHEAThe System

BrHEAThe System The BrHEAThe system is an integrated heating and ventilation system developed by CCHRC to improve energy efficiency in homes while maintaining healthy indoor air quality. The system marries together heating and ventilation so that incoming air is always warm and fresh. Once supply air is brought in through the heat recovery ventilator (HRV),…

Crawlspace Foundations

Crawlspace Foundations

Crawlspace Foundation A crawlspace foundation is a conventional option for building on stable soils. It consists of footings and walls (typically poured concrete) that elevate the home from the ground, creating a “crawlspace” area between the ground and the first floor of the home. While residents typically don’t spend much time down there, the crawlspace…

Exhaust Only Ventilation

Exhaust-Only Ventilation

Exhaust-only Ventilation Exhaust-only ventilation is a one-sided system that typically relies on bathroom and kitchen fans to get rid of stale air but does not provide any dedicated source of fresh air. To make up for the lost air, the house draws outside air through leaks in the floors and walls (this is called “makeup…

slab foundation

On-grade Foundations

On-grade Foundations On-grade foundations are a popular design in Interior Alaska because they are less expensive than crawlspace foundations without having the energy penalty of raised foundations. “Slab-on-grade” means the house rests on a concrete slab directly on the ground. The edges of the slab are thick to accommodate the weight of the walls and…

Biomass

Biomass

Biomass Biomass is a valuable resource in many parts of Alaska where firewood is rich and plentiful. For many, it’s a fuel you can harvest right from the backyard with nothing but a saw. Biomass is a key part of our energy strategy at the Cold Climate Housing Research Center as well. With the right…

Ground Source Heat Pump

Ground Source Heat Pumps

Ground Source Heat Pumps Ground source heat pumps take heat from the ground and use electricity to “step up” the heat to a temperature that can be used for space heating. While they are most efficient in warmer ground, they are becoming more effective and more popular in cold climates like Interior Alaska. Significant amounts…