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Code Status: Alaska

This page contains information about current energy codes in the state of Alaska. Information for all 50 States is also available. Alaska Code News.

Current State Codes

  • Residential Code: The Building Energy Efficiency Standards (BEES) is a state-developed code based on the 2006 IECC with Alaska-specific amendments.
  • Commercial Code: None statewide.
  • Code Change Cycle: No set schedule. Most recent update effective: April 1, 2007.
  • Jurisdictions: (Information last updated August 13, 2008. See ICC Online for up-to-date jurisdictional adoption information).
    • 2006 IECC: Anchorage
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Code Adoption & Change Process

Process Type: Legislative (Commercial) and Regulatory (Residential)

Update Process: The Building Energy Efficiency Standards (BEES) was established by Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (15 AAC 155.010) to promote the construction of energy-efficient buildings. It sets standards for thermal resistance, air leakage, moisture protection, and ventilation as they relate to efficient use of energy in buildings.

Proposed changes to the standards for residential buildings can be submitted to the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation, which reviews and acts on the proposals. Public hearings are required before changes are adopted.

It would be necessary to go through the state legislature in order to promulgate a statewide commercial energy code.

State Code History: The first energy standard for the state of Alaska was introduced in 1985.

When the state was about to implement this standard, the home builders in Alaska filed an injunction to stop implementation, on the basis that they did not have adequate opportunity to testify. The courts halted the implementation date pending a review. As part of the review, the state and home builders agreed to include the Home Energy Rating Method as a way to show compliance with the standard. BEES became effective on January 1, 1992, and there have been no changes since that time.The state has recently completed a comparison between the BEES and the 2003 IECC, and found them to be substantively similar in terms of requirements for their climate zone.

The current version of the BEES became effective on April 1, 2007 and consists of:

1. The International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) 2006, Second Printing, which includes
2. ASHRAE Standard 62.2-2004 Ventilation and Acceptable Indoor Air Quality in Low-Rise Residential Buildings with
3. Alaska-Specific Amendments to the IECC 2006 and ASHRAE Standard 62.2-2004 adopted November 8, 2006 by Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC).

Enforcement: Local jurisdictions are permitted to adopt other standards that meet or exceed the BEES requirements. Depending on the method used (prescriptive or performance), compliance may be certified by an energy rater, a licensed architect, engineer, State of Alaska licensed new home inspector, contractor, building owner or mechanical contractor (ventilation only) if they meet BEES Compliance Certification requirements.

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Energy Consumption Estimates

The consumption estimates below are derived from the total end use of residential and commercial energy consumption in the United States in 2006, and are not limited to energy consumption based on building code-related factors. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration.

  • Residential Sector: 61.7 Trillion BTU
  • Commercial Sector: 67.6 Trillion BTU
  • Total Energy Consumption: 129.3 Trillion BTU
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Construction Activity

Residential:

  • Population (2000 US Census)1: 626,932
  • Total Housing Units2: 265,377
  • 2004 New Housing Units Authorized by Permit (Privately Owned)3:
    • total units: 3,264
    • 1 unit: 1,877
    • 2 units: 600
    • 3 and 4 units: 152
    • 5+ units: 635
    • structures of 5+ units: 71

References:

  1. http://www.census.gov/population/cen2000/phc-t2/tab01.xls
  2. http://www.census.gov/population/estimates/housing/sthuhh1.txt
  3. http://www.census.gov/const/C40/Table2/20k_t2yu200412.txt

Green Building Initiatives

 

Code Funding Opportunities

There are two funding opportunities under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA): Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants and State Energy Program. Please reference the U.S. Department of Energy for Alaska's allocated amount and updated information. 

 

Web Links

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State Energy Code Contacts

Scott Waterman, Energy Specialist
Alaska Housing Finance Corporation
Research and Rural Development
4300 Boniface Parkway
PO Box 101020
Anchorage, AK 99504

Tel: (907) 330-8195
Fax: (907) 338-1747

Email: swaterma@ahfc.state.ak.us

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