Arctic Walls: an R-60 double wall The Arctic Wall is a double-wall system with a thick layer of cellulose insulation that is designed to allow water vapor to diffuse through the wall. The system was designed by Fairbanks builder Thorsten Chlupp and uses some of the principles of the REMOTE wall—another super-insulated building technique that…
What is the role of thermal mass in passive solar design? There are ways to take advantage of long hot days and cut your heating bill, even without buying solar panels. Many homes in Alaska use passive solar design to provide heat during parts of the year. Passive solar design combines specific building features with…
I’ve heard air source heat pumps are being used in parts of Alaska. Do they work in Fairbanks? Yes they can, but only for part of the year. While the technology is growing in warmer parts of the state, like Southeast Alaska, air source heat pumps (ASHPs) cannot provide enough heat to be used as…
