Tag Archives: Alaska Housing Finance Corporation

Air Tightness and Blower Door Certification Class

Title: Air Tightness and Blower Door Certification Class
Location: Cold Climate Housing Research Center
Description: Alaska Building Science Network is holding several class on weatherization in cold climates. This class covers a portion of the total certificaiton.
Start Date:  June 5, 2008
Start Time: 8:00
End Date: June 6, 2008
End Time: 5:00

Preparing for winter in Fairbanks: An energy rating from a certified energy rater is a good choice for most

BY: Ryan Colgan & John Davies, Cold Climate Housing Research Center
Energy Focus: Fairbanks Daily News-Miner May 29, 2008,  Section A3

Many in Fairbanks do not want to think about winter just as summer is arriving. However, there is no better time to prepare for winter and the high energy expenses that result from heating your home.

AHFC offers two programs to help those in the Alaska reduce the expense of home heating by improving the energy efficiency of their homes. Continue reading →

Newsminer: Rebate program begins for energy-efficient homes

From the Fairbanks Daily Newminer May 16, 2008

The Alaska Housing Finance Corp. kicks off a rebate program today to reimburse property owners for making their homes more energy-efficient.

The new program will supplement a long-running weatherization effort available to residents who earn up to, but not above, the state’s median income.

The rebate program and a dramatic expansion to the weatherization program come amidst — and in response to — rocketing energy prices.

Energy raters in Fairbanks said Wednesday they’re already busier than usual this spring with calls from people looking to cut their long-term heating bills at home.

The demand for home analyses will likely grow under the rebate program, which housing officials say is only available to homeowners who consult with a qualified energy rater.

Click here to read the full article.

Newsminer: Rebate program begins for energy-efficient homes

From The Fairbanks Daily Newsminer May 16, 2008

The Alaska Housing Finance Corp. kicks off a rebate program today to reimburse property owners for making their homes more energy-efficient.

The new program will supplement a long-running weatherization effort available to residents who earn up to, but not above, the state’s median income.

The rebate program and a dramatic expansion to the weatherization program come amidst — and in response to — rocketing energy prices.

Click here to read the full article.

AHFC Weatherization Program

In addition to providing funding for the Home Energy Rebate Program, the passing of Senate Bill 256 also allotted 200 million dollars to home weatherization programs in the state of Alaska. The Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC) is expanding its current weatherization program which focused on low-income homes by revising the income guidelines from 60 percent of  the median poverty level to include up to 100 percent of the median poverty level with the passing of Senate Bill 289. Visit our blog for updates or check the AHFC website for additional information as it becomes available in the near future.

The Facts (see the AHFC Weatherization/Rebates page for additional information)

  • Alaskans who meet income requirements would be eligible for free weatherization assistance, similar to AHFC’s current program. The legislation increased current income limits from 60 percent of the median to 100 percent of the median to allow more Alaskans to qualify.
  • Alaskans may participate in either the rebate or the weatherization program, not both.
  • The goal is long-term energy savings.
  • Energy audits are required to determine the best energy improvements for a home. Once the improvements are completed, a follow-up inspection audit is used to verify completion.
  • There are training requirements for individuals and organizations performing work under this program.
  • This program focuses on existing homes, not new home construction.
  • Program funds may not be used for renewable energy systems.
  • AHFC is working with the five state weatherization agencies and 15 state designated regional housing authorities on implementation.
  • Income Guidelines for Weatherization provides a general idea of eligibility.

*The facts above are taken directly from the AHFC website.*

To assist you, AHFC has also published a list of energy raters and weatherization providers in the state of Alaska.

For additional information visit our blog, the AHFC Website, or call 1-877-325-2508.

AHFC Home Energy Rebate Program

With the passing of Senate Bill 256, 100 million dollars was allotted for home energy rebates in the state of Alaska. The Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC) is in the process of implementing a “Home Energy Rebate Grant Program” that “will rebate up to $10,000 to a homeowner who improves the energy efficiency of his or her home.” See the AHFC Home Energy Rebate Grant Program Guidelines.

The rebate program assists homeowners in making the most energy efficient improvements for their home. Home energy raters will evaluate homes before & after the improvements to determin the base energy rating and the number of steps improved after work is complete. The more the home’s energy efficiency improves, the greater the possible rebate. The final program will be announced soon. 

The facts (see the AHFC Weatherization/Rebates page for additional information)

The home energy rebate program has no income requirements.

  • Alaskans may participate in either the rebate or the weatherization program, not both.
  • The goal is long-term energy savings for Alaskans.
  • The amount of the rebate received under the home energy program will depend on how much the home efficiency improves. Improvement is based on a rating scale. When a home moves up from one rating level to a higher one, that is a step improvement. The more steps a home improves, the greater the rebate (up to a pre-set limit) and the more efficient the home.
  • Rebates may not cover the full amount of improvements. A loan for additional funds may be needed. AHFC will offer a Second Mortgage for Energy Conservation to qualified borrowers, up to $30,000.
  • There are training requirements for individuals and organizations performing work under this program.

*The facts above are taken directly from the AHFC website.*

See AHFC’s energy raters list for raters arround Alaska. 

For additional information visit our blog, the AHFC Website, or call 1-877-325-2508.

Newsminer: Borough declares an energy emergency

From The Fairbanks Daily Newsminer May 9th, 2008

The Fairbanks North Star Borough Assembly on Thursday declared skyrocketing energy costs a public emergency and prepared to put state aid, aimed at boosting energy efficiency in homes, on the fast track.

Borough officials said they’ll team with the Cold Climate Housing Research Center to get the rebate program on the fast track by training energy raters and contractors.

John Davies, a director at the research center, said the community needs many more trained and certified energy raters — he estimated one-third of homes in Fairbanks could stand to see significant energy-efficiency upgrades.

“If we work really hard we might be able to get to between two (thousand) and four thousand (homes) before the end of this season,” Davies said.

Click here to read the full article.

Newsminer: Borough officials lay foundation for energy program

From the Fairbanks Daily Newsminer May 5, 2008

The borough hopes to declare a public emergency — stemming from the skyrocketing cost of heating buildings and fueling cars — at a special meeting Thursday night, when Mayor Jim Whitaker and Borough Assembly member Kelly Brown will also propose setting aside $1.3 million, a combination of borough general funds and state aid, for a large-scale alternative energy project…

“Borough citizens and businesses have struggled valiantly to pay for these life-sustaining necessities and the … community cannot continue to pay these current rates, much less those anticipated in the immediate future,” Brown and Whitaker wrote.

Click here to read the full article.

Newsminer: Fairbanks North Star Borough mayor mulls state of emergency in energy crisis

From the Fairbanks Daily Newsminer May 1, 2008

Mayor Jim Whitaker will ask the Fairbanks North Star Borough Assembly to declare a state of emergency at its May 8 meeting. . .

The declaration would give the borough authority to accept funding from the Alaskan Housing Finance Corp. in an expedited process by suspending rules that would normally slow such a process. . .

The $300 million surplus was put into weatherization and energy efficiency programs run by the AHFC. The money is from a budget bill Gov. Sarah Palin signed into law last March.

Click here to read the full article.