ENERGY EDUCATION AND MANAGEMENT |
| EEM-00250 Conversion Factors
to SI Metric Units |
| EEM-00251
Appliance Energy Use and Costs in Alaska (this publication is currently under review and being updated) |
| To be thrifty consumers, we need
to know how much electricity, in kilowatt-hours our appliances use. To
aid in determining this, the following electric usage chart was developed.
The list of appliances is shown in the first column and the average energy
use in watts of such an appliance, is in the next column. In the third
column, the average number of hours per year that the device is utilized
is given, and the total number of kilowatt-hours used by that appliance
per year is calculated in the fourth column. |
| EEM-00259
Permeability of Common Building Material to Water Vapor |
| This publication discusses what
a perm rating is, the effect of material thickness on a perm rating, vapor
barriers in the Alaska environment, when to trust perm ratings, and provides
perm ratings for various materials and thicknesses of those materials. |
| EEM-00450
Indoor Air Quality and Ventilation Strategies for Cold Climates |
| This is a new publication as
of Autumn 2004. It replaces our former publication on ventilation strategies
and is based on Alaska research results. Various levels and options for
ventilation systems and control strategies are described, as well as
concerns over induction of pollutants like carbon monoxide and radon
if "exhaust-only" systems are used. The publication is intended as a
decision guide for ventilating residences. Cost estimates are included. |
| EEM-00456
Warm Floors are Essential for Comfort |
| In Alaska, wherever we work, play
or rest, our legs and feet are nearest to the floors of our buildings
and, thus, are quickly affected by floor temperatures. Cold surfaces carry
heat away from our bodies by conduction and radiation. Thus, a cold floor
can be a health hazard to children who play upon it and a discomfort to
all ages. This publication discusses ways of providing for healthy and
comfortable floor temperatures. |
| EEM-00852
Insulation Value of Log Versus Frame Wall |
| This pamphlet provides a brief
and technical discussion on the insulation value of log versus frame walls. |
| EEM-00954
Effect of Studs on the Heat Loss and Insulation Value of a Wall |
| A considerable amount of heat
is lost through the wall sections of frame buildings where studs are located.
Depending on the size of the wall (2' x 4', 2' x 6', etc.) and the spacing
of the studs, the heat loss through framing can vary from 33 percent to
49 percent of the total. A comparison of different stud spacings for a
2' x 4' stud wall is given in this publication along with the percentage
of total heat loss due to the studs. |
| EEM-01152
Comparative Unit Fuel Costs for Equivalent Dollar Net Heat Output |
| The continual rise in energy costs
has resulted in an interest in the development of simple methods for determining
optimum fuel costs. The following tables provide one method of comparing
unit fuel costs based on equivalent net heat production in British Thermal
Units per dollar ($1.00) of fuel expenditure. |
| EEM-01252
Caulks and Sealants Factsheet |
| Up to 40% of winter home heat
loss can be the result of cold air infiltration, especially through leaky
windows and door casings. Caulking and weatherstripping can reduce this
easily, effectively and inexpensively. They also increase the comfort
level in drafty homes. If you can feel drafts around windows and doors,
baseboards, or elsewhere in your home, caulking and weatherstripping are
probably needed. And it doesn't require an experienced handyman to do
the work; you can do it yourself. This pamphlet provides a factsheet for
a wide range of caulks and sealants. |
| EEM-01256
Active Solar Heating Factsheet |
| In active solar heating, heat
from incoming solar radiation (insolation) is collected, stored and used
for space heating and/or domestic water heating. The system is called
active because pumps and fans are used to transfer the captured solar
energy to the area of use. The main components of an active solar system
are the collector controls, the heat storage area and the distribution
system. This factsheet discusses this system in more depth. |
| EEM-01258
Passive Solar Heating Factsheet |
| Solar energy is often discounted
as a viable energy alternative in northern latitudes such as Alaska. In
reality, the energy of the sun can provide a significant portion of Alaska's
heating needs. The most efficient and least expensive way to tap this
resource is through design and construction of houses that collect and
store solar energy without fans, pumps or other mechanical devices. Passive
solar heating makes use of warmth moved by the natural processes of reflections,
radiation, conduction and convection. |
| EEM-01259
The Attached Solar Greenhouse Factsheet |
| Attached solar greenhouses have
gained considerable popularity, as an addition to an existing house or
as an integral part of a new home. The attraction of the solar greenhouse
is its adaptability. Design, construction, and use involve a wide range
of options which can be combined to meet many tastes, needs and budgets. |
| EEM-01350
Woodstoves: A Safety Checklist Factsheet |
| To protect your family and property,
woodstoves must be properly installed and operated. This checklist was
developed so that you can review the most important points before you
start that first fire in your new woodstove. |
| EEM-01352
Wind Power Factsheet |
| Wind energy conversion systems
(WECS) convert the kinetic energy of a renewable resource&endash;wind&endash;to
mechanical energy. This energy can be used as electric power or for direct
applications such as water pumping. Several important considerations need
to be applied to use successful wind energy for home power. These considerations
include site evaluation, proper choice of equipment, and energy conservation. |
| EEM-01353 Alcohol Fuels Factsheet
(only available in hard copy - order) |
| Alcohol is a highly concentrated,
clean burning, high value liquid fuel that can be produced from renewable
resources. It can be used for heating, cooking and lighting or used as
a motor fuel either in pure form or mixed with gasoline. In theory, alcohol
is an ideal fuel; in reality there are legal and material problems to
consider before you decide to use or produce alcohol. |
| EEM-01359
Earth-Sheltered Houses Factsheet |
| An earth-sheltered building is
either banked on one or more sides with earth, or built partially or entirely
underground. This approach to building is one way to more effectively
control a building's interaction with its surrounding environment. Earth-sheltering
reduces a building's energy needs for heating and/or cooling by (1) preventing
the leakage of air out of and into the building, and (2) placing a barrier
between the walls of the building and the extreme outdoor temperatures. |
| EEM-01454
Insulation Factsheet |
| New insulation materials are constantly
being developed. This Factsheet can be a guide to help you determine the
advantages and disadvantages of new products. Always check independent
test results to confirm product claims. |
| EEM-04253
Heating Values of Fuels |
| The gross heat outputs of various
fuels are listed in Table 1. The average efficiencies of selected types
of heating systems are listed in Table 2. The net heat outputs of various
fuels and heating systems are listed in Table 3. |
|
EEM-04255 Thermal Coefficients of Typical Sections |
| This publication gives a comparative
evaluation of how stud spacing affects wall and roof insulation values,
and heat loss. It is intended as an aid in deciding which wall design
achieves the desired insulation level sought. |
| EEM-04452
Tips on Insulating an Existing House |
| Insulating a house after it has
been built is more expensive than insulating as it is being built. It
is rather difficult to justify adding insulation to an existing home purely
on a basis of reducing heating costs. However, it can usually be justified
on the basis of improving the comfort of the home, reducing condensation
maintenance costs and conserving national energy supplies. Suggestions
for improving the insulation value of your home follow. |
| EEM-04550
Thermal and Vapor Barriers for 1 1/2 Story Houses |
| The 1 1/2-story house has long
been a popular Northern building. Its main attraction seems to be economic.
Structurally, the only way in which a 1 1/2-story house differs from a
1-story is that it has a slightly larger roof and the first floor ceiling
joists are sized slightly larger so that they will serve as floor joists
for the newly created living space. |
| EEM-04756
Thermal Properties of Walls |
| The need for conservation of energy
resources necessitates a more careful look at the thermal properties of
building materials. Unfortunately, the failure to include the framing
members of an insulated stud wall in the heat load calculations has resulted
in the overrating of the insulation value of a frame house. |
| EEM-04952 Vapor Barriers for
Buildings Having High Atmospheric Moisture Conditions (only available
in hard copy- order) |
| Although the intent of the research
project described in this publication was to test vapor barriers under
the high humidity conditions found in agricultural buildings, the information
generated is relevant to human habitations, and particularly to modern,
tightly sealed, high humidity residences in cold climates. |
| EEM-04953
Your Oil Furnace: Keep it Running Efficiently (with Record) |
| This pamphlet discusses the information
that should be a part of a normal tune-up. Recording the tune-up then
becomes a reference and historical record of the burner's performance.
A recording chart to help in keeping track of furnace stack temperature
changes is included also. |
| EEM-04953A
Furnace Maintenance Record |
| Now, the Cooperative Extension
Service has a sticker available (attached) that can be placed directly
on your oil furnace as a permanent record of tune-up information. On the
sticker, the furnace maintenance person should record the following: date
of the tune-up, stack temperature, Carbon Dioxide (CO2) number, smoke
number, combustion efficiency, nozzle size. |
| EEM-04955
KEEPING YOUR HOUSE OPERATING DURING A COLD ALASKAN WINTER: Overcoming
utility freezup problems |
| Wintertime in Alaska can be cold
with temperatures of forty, fifty, sixty, even seventy below zero. Severe
outside temperatures can cause severe inside problems. When utilities
stop functioning because of the cold, it is inconvenient and even dangerous.
Knowing how to keep utilities functioning or how to restore them to working
order during periods of severe cold weather is very important. |
HOUSING CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE |
| HCM-00559
ATTICS & ROOFS For Northern Residential Construction |
| Ceilings are usually the best-insulated
part of conventional houses. Attic spaces are easy to insulate with low-cost
blown or batt insulations. The insulation levels in the attics of energy-efficient
houses usually reach R-values of 48 to 60 (12 to 18 inches of blown or
batt insulation). We emphasize that the insulation quantity alone does
not determine its effectiveness. |
| HCM-00752
Allowable Loads for Round Timber |
| This is a single sheet table giving
the allowable loads for round timber. |
| HCM-00754
PERMAFROST A Building Problem in Alaska |
| Constructing buildings in Alaska
requires specific knowledge about permafrost and specialized building
techniques. Disturbing permafrost carelessly may cause melting, resulting
in uneven foundation settling and disastrous consequences for the building.
It is not always possible to safely build on permafrost. |
| HCM-00952
Special Considerations for Building in Alaska |
| Special considerations for building
in Alaska are recommended that are normally not included in structures
designed for milder climates in the Lower 48 states. Plans and publications
will be developed as new construction techniques are developed in Arctic
construction. |
| HCM-01154
Moisture Shrinkage of Wood |
| This factsheet gives moisture
shrinkage numbers for various types of wood. |
THE ALASKAN BUILDING
RESEARCH SERIES (HCM-01550 to HCM-01558) |
| HCM-01552
NBI-Retrofit Insulation in Wood Roofs |
| This bulletin describes how wooden
roofs can be retrofitted with additional insulation to improve the thermal
efficiency of the house. Suggestions are provided for suitable ways to
retrofit wooden roofs, the various insulation methods available are outlined,
and U values (heat transmission coefficient) for various insulation thicknesses
are given. |
| HCM-01553
NBI-Retrofit Insulation in Concrete & Masonry Walls |
| This bulletin describes techniques
for retrofitting insulation on outer walls of concrete or masonry, concrete
blocks or bricks. It can help contractors and homeowners select a suitable
method of retrofitting insulation. Techniques for external insulation
focus on frame walls ventilated to the outside. New methods of retrofit
insulation are also included, as are K-values of the alternative insulation
thicknesses. |
| HCM-01554
NBI-Retrofit Insulation in Existing Wooden Walls |
| This bulletin shows how insulation
should be added to wood walls to improve their thermal efficiency. Advice
is given on the uses of various insulation methods and U values (heat
transmission coefficient) with the alternative insulation thicknesses. |
| HCM-01555
NBI-Foundation Retrofit & Rehabilitation |
| This bulletin gives an overview
of the various methods that can be utilized to improve older building
foundations and to retrofit building foundations. It also gives information
about common damage to foundations and basement walls. |
| HCM-01556
NBI-Small House Construction in Muskeg & Bogs |
| This bulletin discusses some principles
of foundation design for small houses on muskeg and bogs, placement of
pipes, and construction of roads and parking areas. Construction solutions
and details must be adjusted to fit the great variations which characterize
the geotechnical properties of this soil condition. |
| HCM-01557
NBI-Water Cistern Construction for Small Houses |
| This bulletin describes construction
of a cistern for collecting and storing rainwater for household use. The
design for a collection system and the construction and maintenance of
such a cistern are described. |
| HCM-01558
NBI-Exterior Ventilated Cladding |
| These pages deal with principles
for ventilated claddings on exterior walls. This is a general survey and
pertains regardless of the type of cladding material or construction technique.
Detailed solutions to the actual construction of ventilated cladding are
given in the paper, particularly in the photographs. |
END THE ALASKAN BUILDING
RESEARCH SERIES |
| HCM-02020
Water Softeners Annual Maintenence |
| Details routine maintenece that
should be done to keep water softner working properly. |
| HCM-04458
BUILDING IN ALASKA Windows |
| Windows are the most unique element
of buildings. They ideally provide opportune lighting, security, protection
from weather and prevent air leakage. At the same time they are often
operable and may be relied upon for ventilation. In Alaskan conditions,
they must function as transparent insulation. Their sizing and orientation
is a crucial element of thermal design in our climate zone. Windows are
very important to obtaining a quality, durable energy-efficient home. |
| HCM-04759
BUILDING IN ALASKA Glossary of Home Construction terms |
| Terms that would be builder needs
to know. |
| HCM-04950
Suggestions for Installing Domestic Water Storage Tanks |
| In Alaska many homes and commercial
establishments are built where sufficient quantities of good quality water
may be difficult to obtain from a well. The most common way of dealing
with this problem is to install a holding tank and have water commercially
delivered. Although few state regulations apply to the installation of
holding tanks, experience allows us to present general guidelines for
installation which will be helpful to the contractor or to the owner-builder. |
| HCM-04954
A Guide For Assessing Risks and Costs of Water Well Drilling in The Fairbanks
Area |
| This publication will help property
owners in the Ester Dome, Chena Ridge, Murphy Dome, Farmer's Loop, Goldstream
Valley, Gilmore Dome, Steele Creek Road and closely adjacent areas to
Fairbanks, Alaska. Most of the benefits from the publication come by referencing
information on maps. Instructions on how to use and interpret the maps
constitute the bulk of the publication. The information allows the property
owner or developer to assess the factors of risk associated with drilling
a water well within these areas. |
SEPTIC SYSTEMS |
| SEPTIC
SYSTEM AND WASTEWATER SYSTEM TECHNOLOGIES. |
| Alaska Sun member and Statewide
Energy Librarian, Cary Bolling recently replied to an online inquiry about
alternative septic systems with this article. He passed it on to Cooperative
Extension so that we could publish it in our newsletter and provide the
link here. The Sources are the Compost Resource Page, the Alaska Housing
Finance Corporation's Research and Information Center's research, and
the National Small Flows Clearing House, a federally funded resource and
archive of septic and wastewater disposal alternatives. This is the most
comprehensive listing of currently available products and their websites
of which AHFC and the Cooperative Extension Service are aware. We provide
it for your information and exploration. |
| Septic
System Fact Sheets |
This listing relates summarized
information from the septic system fact sheets currently available from
Cooperative Extension Service. Included are:
- Septic System Alternatives
- Enzyme and Septic System Additives: are they worth it?
- Insulating A Septic System: What's Best?
- The Effect of Salt and Back Flush of Water Softening Systems to
Septic Tanks and Leach Fields.
|
RADON |
| New
Insights From Radon Research In Interior Alaska |
| This research paper updates our
experience with radon in homes in the Fairbanks Area. Major important
insights from this work by Jack Schmid, UAF are: (1) summer radon tests
are of questionable value; (2) air leakage (too much of it) is an important
contributing factor to radon induction; and (3) radon induction is very
strongly correlated with indoor/outdoor temperature difference. The colder
it is outside, the more likely a higher level of radon is inducted into
a home. |
| Radon
Information Pamphlet |
| A compendium of radon information.
This pamphlet covers a brief introduction to radon, a glossary of radon-related
terms and acronyms, a list of radon testing services for Anchorage and
Fairbanks, and a sample of radon research from Alaska. |
| RAD-00755 Radon Mitigation: Alaska Experiences, Costs, Results |
| If you need to mitigate radon first check this publication. It has been newly revised in the spring 2007 with updated information, particularly relevant to the MatSu Valley and the Uplands around Fairbanks. |
| RAD-00756
Carbon Monoxide - A Silent Killer |
| Carbon Monoxide (CO) is the number
one cause of poisening in the United States, and Alaska has the highest
per capita Carbon Monoxide death rate in the nation. |
| RAD-01250
Radon in Homes - The Alaskan Experience |
| Since radon was first found to
be a concern in Alaska in 1986, the interest and awareness of radon as
a special housing and health problem has continued to grow. There are
certain features of a house that characterize it "at risk" for radon.
Efforts at mitigation are being made that have been most effective in
reducing radon under Alaskan conditions. |
| Radon
- A Physician's Guide - The Health Threat With A Simple Solution |
| This booklet (US EPA Document
#402-K-93-008) on radon has been developed for physicians by the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency in consultation with the American Medical
Association (AMA). Its purpose is to enlist physicians in the national
effort to inform the American public about the serious health risk posed
by indoor radon gas. |
| Building
Radon Out |
| This is the latest EPA information
with graphics on how to construct a new house foundation to be radon-proof.
It supercedes the previous EPA publication of February 1991 called Radon-resistant
Construction Techniques for New Residential Construction. |
SAFETY AND ALASKA LIVING |
|
Alaska is an area of natural beauty and magnificent landscapes. Natural forces loom large in our history and in our daily lives. Because of this, our lives are subject to a wide range of natural disasters. Floods, earthquakes, wildfires, severe storms, tidal waves (tsunamis), and volcanic eruptions are normal routines. Being prepared for these eventualities is just a matter of a little time and effort to pull together some supplies to help you adjust to emergencies without undue stress. |
|
It is important to winterize vehicles to keep them in proper starting and running condition throughout the winter in the colder areas of Alaska. This work can be done by a commercial repair garage or by car owners if they have the ability to do this type of work. |
SOLAR |
| EEM-01255
A Solar Design Manual for Alaska
|
| A third edition of the Solar Design Manual for Alaska is now available from Cooperative Extension Service. It can be ordered online by going to www.alaskasun.org The last pdf is an order form for the publication. It is $10 for the hard copy. The manual can be viewed, chapter by chapter, at the Alaska Sun website as well. |
|
EEM-01355 Fairbanks, Alaska Solar and Weather Information Factsheet
|
| Fairbanks is located in the Tanana
Valley of Interior Alaska. The area has a definite continental climate. |
|
EEM-01356 Alaska Solar and Weather Information Factsheet for Anchorage
Alaska
|
| The four seasons are well markedin
the Anchorage area, but in length, and in some major characteristics,
they differ considerably from the usually accepted standards in middle
latitudes. |
RELEVANT PUBLICATIONS |
| READ
THIS BEFORE YOU DESIGN, BUILD OR RENOVATE. |
| Healthy and Affordable Housing:
Practical Recommendations for Building, Renovating and Maintaining Housing.
By Asthma Regional Coordinating Council of New England, U.S. Department
of Housing and Urban Development, and the U.S. Department of Energy (Program
Partner). |
