Anchorage, AK – August 24, 2012 – (RealEstateRama) — Would-be homeowners often feel stressed and anxious when they face myriad decisions affecting their purchase; and often the desire for aesthetic improvements overshadows the consideration of home energy efficiency. But now, a free online checklist can not only help Alaska homebuyers ease that stress but also ensure that their new homes meet important energy efficiency standards — and therefore will save them substantial money on home energy bills.
The checklist, developed by the Building Codes Assistance Project and supported by Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC) and Cold Climate Housing Research Center, allows Alaska’s homebuyers to fully understand the energy efficiency of the home they are about to purchase. The tool also helps homeowners assess what efficiency upgrades are needed when they renovate an existing home.
“You wouldn’t think something as simple as a checklist would be such a valuable resource,” said Dan Fauske, CEO of AHFC. “But this tool provides peace of mind and can identify energy savings that total in the thousands of dollars. Homeowners of an energy-efficient 5 Star Plus home, the highest energy rating, pay a fraction of what their neighbors pay for energy and gives them more discretionary funds so they can afford our ‘Big Wild Life. ”
Coupling the use of the checklist with participation in the Home Energy Rebate Program offered by AHFC, homeowners can earn up to $10,000 in reimbursement for energy efficiency investments. A $7,500 incentive is available for 5 Star Plus new construction.
The checklist is available at http://energycodesocean.org/resource/consumer-energy-codechecklist-
alaska.
Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC) is a public corporation with a long history of providing Alaskans access to safe, quality and affordable housing through home financing programs, energy efficiency and weatherization programs, public housing and more. Since 1986, AHFC has contributed $1.9 billion to the State of Alaska’s General Fund.
Contact:
Soren Johansson
AHFC Public Relations Manager
(907)330-8447
sjohansson (at) ahfc (dot) us
