Energy & Research

Innovative Solutions to Housing Challenges

Living in Alaska often requires an ability to think creatively and develop innovative solutions to challenges unique to our state. That can be particularly true when it comes to housing — whether due to extreme climate conditions, remote locations, or the high cost of materials.

Alaska Housing’s Research and Rural Development department is committed to identifying innovative opportunities that can improve access to and enhance the energy efficiency of housing. The team takes a multi-disciplinary approach to reaching that objective, including:

• Educating the public about energy efficiency topics and available resources;

• Providing innovative energy efficiency technologies that can benefit facility managers;

• Funding weatherization projects to improve efficiency and reduce costs to homes — in Fiscal Year 2022, 224 homes were improved by weatherization projects;

• Researching future construction modalities to enhance energy efficiency, reduce costs, and increase production opportunities.

Working with partners throughout Alaska, the Research and Rural Development department is helping make a difference today and in the future.

BMON System is Energy Innovation at Work

Alaska’s weather conditions can be a challenge for facility managers, particularly during winter months. Alaska Housing has developed a collaborative software/hardware solution that works to track critical facility maintenance data.

Known as the Building Monitoring (BMON) system, it provides data that is available to building managers at any time. This can help ensure facilities are operating as efficiently as possible during normal operations but also can identify and solve issues from anywhere.

In one example, facility managers at a Nome public housing location were able to resolve an issue remotely, preventing a mechanical freeze that would have been problematic for residents.

Click to Learn More

Providing Energy Efficiency Education for Alaskans

Empowering Alaska Borrowers with Information

For Alaskans looking to buy a home, having as much information as possible can help them make the best possible decision.

Now, additional information has become available that provides the most recent energy ratings for a house on the market.

Alaska Multiple Listing Service has integrated its database of homes for sale with AHFC’s Alaska Retrofit Information Systems database, commonly known as ARIS.

This allows real estate professionals and prospective homebuyers to identify a home’s energy performance. Because more energy efficient houses can save homeowners money each year, this is important information for prospective buyers.

Click to Find Out More Alaska Housing serves as a resource for residents looking to improve energy efficiency in their homes.

That includes programmatic efforts across the state, as well as web-based information resources that can help Alaskans ensure their homes are as energy efficient as possible.

Click to Learn More