Tag Archives: PORTAL

Alaska weatherization, rebate programs stimulate economy

From the Alaska Journal of Commerce, Monday, November 16, 2009:

A statewide weatherization program with the potential of reducing energy costs in thousands of Alaskan residences will improve some 1,740 homes in 2009 alone, and Alaska Housing Finance Corp. expects to more than quadruple that number by 2011. The goal is to weatherize 4,000 homes in 2010 and 7,500 homes in 2011, said Bryan Butcher, public affairs director for the state agency, whose mission is to provide Alaskans with quality affordable housing.

“We can show there are average savings of 25 percent on energy right now, and we are hoping it goes up,” Butcher said.

Click here to read the full story.

Homebuilding workshop Oct. 24 in Fairbanks

Cooperative Extension Service housing and energy specialist Rich Seifert  will teach his Cold Climate Homebuilding Techniques workshop Saturday, Oct. 24th in Schaible Auditorium on the UAF campus. The free workshop will run from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and includes a manual and a CD.

The workshop will focus on insulating homes and will cover options for retrofit, ventilation, indoor air quality and permafrost and foundations. It is also designed to help homeowners who plan to participate in the state’s home energy rebate program.

Call 907-474-7201 or 907-474-6366 to register.

CONTACT: Cooperative Extension energy and housing specialist Rich Seifert at 907-474-7201. Debbie Carter, CES public information officer, at 907-474-5406 or dscarter@alaska.edu.

Good Communication Key to a Successful Weatherization Rebate

BY Adam Wasch, Energy Outreach Consultant for CCHRC and UAF CES
Energy Focus: Fairbanks Daily News-Miner February 12th, 2009, Section A3

Meeting a contractor for the first time can be more nerve racking than going on a blind date. What habits does he or she have? Will you agree on the work that needs to be done? And, most importantly, will they take into account your needs? Plus, with so many Alaskans weatherizing their homes and lining up home improvement projects for the spring, will you even get a second date? Continue reading →

Home Improvement Options in Fairbanks

BY Susan Keltner, Portal On Retrofits Training And Loans
Energy Focus: Fairbanks Daily News-Miner December 18th, 2008, Section A3

Have you decided on a New Year’s resolution yet? Here’s an idea: resolve to make your home more energy efficient in 2009. It’ll save you money, make your home more comfortable and more valuable. Afraid you’ll lose motivation by the time spring rolls around? Not a problem. Now is actually a great time to start planning improvements. Continue reading →

PORTAL Keeps the Energy Doors Open

BY: CCHRC Staff
Energy Focus: Fairbanks Daily News-Miner October 16th, 2008, Section A3

Last week in this column we discussed the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC) Energy Rebate program, created late last spring to help homeowners make their homes more energy efficient.

This week, we’ll discuss how to make the right decisions about your home, what resources are available to help you arrange for and understand your energy ratings, and how to undertake energy efficiency changes. Continue reading →

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 →

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 →