Category Archives: PORTAL

AHFC's Energy Rebate Program

BY: Ilya Benesch, Building Educator at CCHRC
Energy Focus: Fairbanks Daily News-Miner October 9th, 2008, Section A3

In Fairbanks, CCHRC has been funded by AHFC to create the PORTAL (Portal On Retrofits Training And Loans) to help make the statewide weatherization and rebate programs more accessible to the public. The PORTAL office maintains and updates a centralized client sign up list for certified energy raters, provides program applications, and answers questions about energy ratings and weatherization. The Portal is located at 326 Driveway Street Suite 100 and can reached by phone at 455-4328. Their hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday – Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday. This is the first of two articles about AHFC programs, and outlines the steps in the rebate program. Continue reading →

Alaska energy rebate program very popular

From the Anchorage Daily News on Tuesday, September 30, 2008:

With a fresh infusion of $60 million into the state’s Home Energy Rebate Program, thousands of Alaska homeowners are clamoring to receive home-improvement rebate checks worth as much as $10,000, creating an unprecedented backlog and leaving many people frustrated and stressed with the process to get a piece of the big state giveaway.

In response, the state’s Alaska Housing Finance Corp. has hired more staff and plans to step in to help with the scramble, while local contractors continue to work overtime.

Click here to read the whole article.

Alaska energy rebate program warming homes

From the Anchorage Daily News on Sunday, September 28, 2008:

Teri Hansen is tired of shivering in her own home.

“Each winter it gets colder and colder and the bills go higher and higher. And it’s just not comfortable,” she said. “It’s actually cold. We wear sweaters, sweatshirts, bundle up, and our house is still about 66, 67 degrees. People come over and they are freezing.”

And so when Hansen, who lives in South Anchorage with her husband and two teenage daughters, first heard about the state’s Home Energy Rebate program three months ago, she decided to act fast to take advantage of the up to $10,000 giveaway. Like many people applying for the rebate, she feels lucky to have gotten in when she did. Thousands of others are still waiting to hear from the much-sought-after home energy raters, who have been besieged with requests for inspections.

Click here to read the whole article.

Understanding Your Crawl Space

BY: Ilya Benesch, Cold Climate Housing Research Center
Energy Focus: Fairbanks Daily News-Miner September 18th, 2008, Section A3

Crawl spaces are one of those areas in the house that tend to get neglected. The old adage “Out of sight out of mind” might apply here. Unfortunately, this also means that crawl space problems can go unnoticed until they progress into more expensive structural or health-related issues. The crawl space can also present a significant energy drain on a home if not insulated properly.
Continue reading →

As Fairbanks energy woes grow, so does list of home weatherization tips

From the Fairbanks Daily Newminer July 20, 2008

Home-heating fuel costs $4.69 per gallon, two dollars more than September of last year.

With winter creeping closer, building and energy professionals are busy trying to get Fairbanks energy healthy, and some residents are taking matters into their own hands by attacking energy inefficiencies at home.

Click here to read the full article.

PORTAL to Help Homeowners Save Money on Energy

BY: Susan Keltner, PORTAL Program Liaison/Communications Coordinator
Energy Focus: Fairbanks Daily News-Miner July 10, 2008,  Section A3

Home energy bills are increasing with the price of fuel and winter is fast approaching. Improving home energy efficiency is one way Interior residents can battle increasing energy prices.

Fortunately, the Cold Climate Housing Research Center (CCHRC) has recently launched a new consulting service to help Interior Alaska residents access programs and information they can use to improve the energy efficiency of their home. The Portal on Retrofits Training and Loans (PORTAL) can help homeowners save money on their energy bills by facilitating their entry into AHFC’s weatherization, rebate and loan programs. The PORTAL can also help Interior residents learn how to complete energy efficiency improvements on their own by signing them up for free classes and providing useful literature on weatherization techniques. Continue reading →

PORTAL Grand Opening!

The Portal On Retrofits, Training And Loans is now open to assist people in selecting a program that will help improve the energy efficiency of their homes through energy retrofits. The programs include Weatherization, Energy Rebates, and Second Mortgages for those wishing to improve the energy efficiency of their homes whether they rent, own, or live in a multi-family complex.

Additional information can be found on the PORTAL website here.

The PORTAL is located at 326 Driveway Street in Fairbanks, behind the Newsminer building.
Phone: 455-HEAT
Hours: M-F 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM & Sat. 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM.

Newsminer: PORTAL opens for Alaska homeowners seeking advice on energy issues

From the Fairbanks Daily Newsminer July 8, 2008.

With little hope that the price of heating oil will go down before winter sets in, several entities have jointly opened an office to help residents be more energy-efficient.

The Portal on Retrofits, Training and Loans, dubbed PORTAL, is staffed with three pros who can help homeowners navigate through the sometimes-complicated government programs offering rebates and other incentives for energy efficiency upgrades.

Click here to read the full article.