Research Projects

CCHRC is outlining a program to add a 6th Star to the home rating system (currently comprised of five stars). The two elements under consideration include an energy analysis using AkWarm and a green building analysis using the National Association of Home Builders Green Home Building Standard, the ASHRAE/USGBC Green Building Standard, or another standard approved by AHFC.

CCHRC is tasked with organizing, facilitating, and providing support for an ad-hoc committee of seven technical professionals from the private sector. This project provides AHFC with professional technical advice and consultation as needed for developing and implementing energy-related policies and programs.

This report looks at the potential of using air source heat pumps in Southeast Alaska. It includes a literature review, interviews with installers, distributers, and ASHP owners, an inventory of existing ASHPs in Alaska, and models of the cost and heating capacity compared to other heating sources.

ASHPs take heat from the outdoor air and use electricity to raise the temperature. Because they require less electricity than electric heating appliances, heat pumps could reduce heating costs for such residents. Southeast Alaska is a good candidate for ASHPs because of its milder climate and access to affordable hydroelectric power.

CCHRC contracted with Arctic Energy Systems to develop computer software that calculates the design heating load of a home, so that the home's heating system is properly sized. The software presents the results in a report. The software is operated via the user's Internet web browser and is freely accessible to all users across the Internet. The research was funded with a grant from the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation.

CCHRC has reviewed the AKWarm software that is used during planning to determine a house’s energy usage.

CCHRC is working on an updated and expanded set of policy recommendations for meeting Alaska’s goal of a 15% increase in energy efficiency by 2020. This builds upon the State of Alaska End-use Energy Efficiency Report, produced by CCHRC with sub-contractors Information Insight and the Rocky Mountain Institute, which provided a review of polices and a set of recommendations for end-use energy efficiency for space heating and electricity. The report covers both the residential and commercial sectors.

The Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC) and the Alaska Energy Authority (AEA) asked the Cold Climate Housing Research Center (CCHRC) to sponsor a comprehensive review and analysis of the energy efficiency policies and programs in the State of Alaska. The final report was completed in 2008 and many of the recommendations were implemented.

CCHRC is managing the development of ARIS on behalf of the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC). ARIS creates a means by which to collect, manage, access, and report on information relating to AHFC’s rebate and weatherization programs, as well as other official uses of AkWarm.