Did you know that something as small as turning the temperature on your water heater from 135°F to 120°F can save you more than $20 a month on your utility bill? Or that using a power strip to eliminate the phantom loads caused by electronics consuming power even when they are turned “off” could save you more than $30 each year?

The average U.S. household spends $1,900 a year on utility bills.  Alaskans pay some of the highest energy costs in the country, anywhere from an estimated $2,800/year in Anchorage to $8,000 in more remote communities. Unfortunately, a large portion of those bills pay for energy that is wasted through inefficient heating and lighting equipment and poor insulation. Everyone knows saving energy is important.

But where do you start?

Alaskans pay some of the highest energy costs in the country and much of it is wasted through inefficient heating, lighting and insulation.

Energy Savings Guide

Start by checking for easy efficiency tweaks and doing your own home assessment.

The Energy Saving Tips for Alaskans from Alaska Housing Finance Corporation has recommendations as well as a checklist to do a short assessment of your home. 

Some tips from the book include:

  • Turn down the heat 5 degrees. For every degree you lower the thermostat, you save about 2% on your heating bill.
  • Keep your refrigerator and freezer(s) full. They use less electricity when full than if there is empty space.
  • Use efficient lighting. Light emitting diodes (LEDs) last up to 10 times longer than incandescent light bulbs and use 1/4 of the energy. They also no longer cost more than other light bulbs so you see the savings right away.
  • Reduce the amount of hot water you use. Wash clothes in cool water, invest in low-flow shower heads and aerating faucets, or just take shorter showers.
  • Invest in energy efficient appliances. If it’s time for you to replace an appliance, look for an appliance with an Energy Star label.
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Energy Audits

One of the best ways to determine what you can do to increase efficiency and how best to fit energy efficiency measures into your budget is to do a home or work-place energy audit. Energy audits identify specific inefficiencies that are wasting energy (and money).

By targeting problem areas and providing solutions, energy audits provide detailed paths for making your home or work place more energy efficient, comfortable, and healthy.

Energy audits are available from a variety of organizations in Alaska and are often conducted on either an hourly or a per-square-foot basis. The average homeowner cuts their energy costs by 33% after making the recommended changes from an assessment. It is prudent to ask for quotes and qualifications from multiple auditors. Looking for an energy auditor?  Please see our membership page for auditors we collaborate with. 

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Energy Efficiency Programs  

Alaska Housing Finance Corporation’s Weatherization and Rebate programs saved over 50,000 households an average of 30% annually on energy bills. These physical energy retrofits go a long way towards reducing energy usage.

In order to perpetuate these type of energy savings, REAP is working to create an energy efficient culture to further reduce Alaska’s overall demand for energy. While the Home Energy Rebate Program is no longer accepting new sign ups, other residential efficiency programs, such as the Weatherization Program, are ongoing. 

AHFC’s Weatherization Program provides support for eligible applicants who meet certain income guidelines. It provides free weatherization assistance and is available to both renters and homeowners. For more information visit the AHFC website (www.ahfc.us) or call 1-877-325-2508.

REAP is also working to stand-up a Property Assessed Clean Energy loan program for commercial buildings in the state’s largest urban areas where property taxes are levied and ultimately, new residential programs through the creation of a green bank.

Resources

Here are links to other Energy Efficiency resources:

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