ACHP Alaska

Solar energy training application link

alicia — Tue, 15 May 2012 00:39:31 +0000

We’re excited about this free training sponsored by the Alaska Department of Labor, offered by Solar Energy International. Find the application here at http://www.yritwc.org/Departments/Energy.aspx. Courses held this summer.

June 6 forum discusses heat-to-power generating system

alicia — Mon, 14 May 2012 20:24:06 +0000

Join us in a cost-free presentation on a heat-to-power generating system that has the potential to reduce diesel fuel consumption in Alaska’s rural villages and beyond. Ross Coen from Alaska Center for Energy and Power (ACEP) will share about the “Green Machine” during our Energy Today in AK forum on Wednesday, June 6, 2012, 5:30 – 6:30 PM at ACHP, 3400 Spenard. To register or for more information call 258-2247 or email info@achpalaska.com. ACEP Research Manager, Brent Sheets, reports that “After 1,000 hours of testing, our data shows that a Green Machine, operating twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year in optimal conditions could generate over 413,000 kilowatt-hours in one year. This displaces nearly 11,000 gallons of diesel and, with fuel costs in excess of $5/gallon throughout rural Alaska, represents an annual savings of $55,000 or more.”

Creta Bloxom, Associate of the Year!

alicia — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 18:56:05 +0000

Congratulations to our fabulous board member Creta Bloxom, who was voted by members of the MatSu Homebuilders Association as the 2011 Associate of the Year!

Creta is a past Board Member of the Anchorage Home Builders Association and a current Board Member for ACHP Alaska and the Mat-Su Home Builders Association. She has been on the board of directors of the Anchorage, Regional, and National Boards of the National Association of Professional Mortgage Women (APWM) for many years and is the current Director of the APWM Scholarship Foundation. She is a licensed real estate professional and holds designations as Graduate of Real Estate Institute, Certified Distressed Property Expert and Short Sales and Foreclosure Resource. She has many years in the lending community and holds the Institute of Mortgage Lending designations of Graduate of Mortgage Lending and Certified in Mortgage Ethics.

Congratulations, Creta!

LED giveaway a success

alicia — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 23:32:31 +0000

Exuberant youngsters and their families learned about the advantages of LED bulbs using 8 watts over incandescent 40 watt bulbs through demonstrations and games at recent energy fairs in Alakanuk and Emmonak. ACHP Outreach Coordinator Michelle Wilber provided training to residents in home energy efficiency and conservation. Residents exchanged old lightbulbs for new energy efficient LED light bulbs and won door-prizes ranging from energy efficient LED night lights and power strips to spray foam insulation. Joe Meredith of Ameresco and Rebecca Garrett of Alaska Energy Authority (AEA) were available in Alakanuk to highlight the recently completed whole-village energy retrofits funded by AEA. More information about the tips that were covered can be found at akenergyefficiency.org/home.

ACHP at April Home Shows

alicia — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 23:25:46 +0000

Alicia Amberg, ACHP Director of Operations, gave away festive leis, home efficiency items, and class information at the Anchorage Home Show this March. Join us at the following home shows in April:

Kenai home show dates:
April 28, 9 AM – 7 PM
April 29, 11 AM – 5 PM
At the Soldotna Sports Complex

Mat-Su home show dates:
April 27, 12 PM – 7 PM
April 28, 10 AM – 6 PM
April 29, 11 AM – 4 PM
At the Menard Sports Center

High Performance Building Seminar shares insights with Alaskans

alicia — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 23:24:54 +0000

Contractors, building professionals and homeowners received world-class instruction on energy efficient building techniques from Justin Wilson of Building Performance Solutions on March 21 in Anchorage. Feedback was very positive; thanks goes out to all that helped make it a success!

Valuing Energy Efficiency in Home Appraisals: ACHP Report

alicia — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 23:21:23 +0000

The projection of higher utility costs and incentives for making energy efficient improvements has created a focus on making those improvements. Alaskans need to know how to obtain the greatest increase in energy efficiency of their home and how those efficiencies will translate into cost savings and increased market value for that home. ACHP, under contract with Alaska Housing Financing Corporation, undertook a statewide assessment of the barriers to the incorporation energy efficient improvements into appraisals on homes being sold or refinanced. Five stakeholder forums were held regionally to collect input and propose solutions in the issue. Read the final report below.

Valuing Energy Efficient Homes 2012 Report

Ft. Yukon Energy Efficiency Trip

alicia — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 23:50:54 +0000

This month, ACHP instructor Michelle Wilber traveled to Fort Yukon to host an Energy Fair and talk to residents about energy efficiency and conservation in their homes. Joe Meredith of Ameresco was on hand to highlight the recently completed whole-village energy retrofit, funded by AEA. The retrofit included improvements to roof insulation, boilers, hot water heaters, lighting controls, garage doors, etc on the City Hall and city maintenance facility and other community buildings. Six hundred new energy efficient LED light bulbs were available for exchange: each household could exchange up to 6 old bulbs for 6 new ones. Happy recipients said they were pleased with the light quality of the bulbs. In fact, they were so bright, one woman quipped, the only problem was now she could see that she needed to clean her cabin walls!

AHFC funded the training and provided additional materials for the Fair. Efficiency and Conservation training included information on the Home Energy Rebate and Weatherization programs available in the state through AHFC, information on the advantages of LED bulbs, basic building science, and home energy saving tips. Michelle explained the value of a home energy audit, the importance of sealing tight and ventilating right, and the advantages of energy efficient bulbs. More information on these tips for the home can be found at akenergyefficiency.org/home.

Send us your success stories!

alicia — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 22:28:48 +0000

Attention homeowners: Have you seen a significant decrease in your energy bills since weatherizing your home? If so, send us your success story! Tell us how long the process took, what improvements you made, include pictures, tips, and any other relevant info. Once a quarter, ACHP will feature a success story in our newsletter and on our website. If you’re chosen, you’ll win a Kill-A-Watt EZ Electricity Usage Monitor!

Even if you don’t want to be featured, we’re still interested in hearing your story to help other homeowners with the weatherization process.

Send your story to alicia@achpalaska.com

NEW Ventilated Crawlspace Class

alicia — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 22:36:37 +0000

Meet the current BEES code and best practice by learning how to air seal, insulation and mechanically ventilate crawl spaces in homes. Benefits of a conditioned crawl space are a more durable, safe and comfortable living environment in the whole house.

4 hours of continuing education credit for residential contractors.

This class is FREE–sponsored by AHFC. Check out our website calendar for a crawlspace class in your community!