Fuel Use Monitoring CCHRC researchers are testing several methods of monitoring fuel use at the household level. The study, funded by the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation, is an attempt to identify a cost-effective and accurate method to monitor heating oil consumption across Alaska. That data could then be used to evaluate whether state energy efficiency…
Three-Stage HRV Evaluation In Alaska and Canada, the main defrost strategies for heat recovery ventilators (HRVs) involve recirculating return air across the heat exchanger core and back into the supply air for the house. In cold climates, this type of frost protection system can undermine ventilation standards. To overcome this issue, continuous ventilation systems such…
Vapor Diffusion-Open Walls Study CCHRC monitored the performance of Fairbanks builder Thorsten Chlupp’s passive solar home over one year. The superinsulated house demonstrates innovative building and mechanical systems, with a super-insulated foundation, integrated heat storage system, and an open wall design that allows vapor to diffuse through. This home shows that buildings can perform well…
Combustion Safety Test Failure Analysis CCHRC worked with the Alaska Association of Energy Professionals (AAEP) to assess why combustion safety tests are failing in Alaska homes and provide solutions to help buildings pass the tests. Combustion safety tests are required as part of a home energy rating to make sure that combustion gases from a…
Healthy Home in Alaska CCHRC partnered with the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC) on the Healthy Homes Initiative in Fairbanks and Hooper Bay in 2004-2005. This was a two-year project that included the University of Alaska and state weatherization agencies. The purpose of the program was to demonstrate cost-effective, preventative measures to correct health hazards…
Permafrost Foundations CCHRC worked with the U.S. Army Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (CRREL) to study ways of pairing information on permafrost soils with optimal foundation designs. The current method of building on permafrost is to drill a series of intermittent holes in the ground on a given site to search for permafrost, a…
