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Alaska

State Profile

Code Type: Commercial Residential
Current State Code None Statewide; see AHFC Building Energy Efficiency Standard 2018 None Statewide; see AHFC Building Energy Efficiency Standard 2018
Effective Date
Adoption Date
State Amendments Yes Yes
State Code Analysis*
Enforcement Voluntary Voluntary
Can use COM/REScheck

*This is based on a quantitative analysis of the state code with amendments as displayed in the Residential and Commercial State Energy Code Adoption Maps.

Certifications

Model Code Savings Potential

Statewide Savings Potential (2010-2030)
Cost
Energy (primary)

Consumer Cost Savings

Consumer Cost Savings Residential
per Home		 Commercial
per 1,000 ft2
Annual ($) $1129 $231
Annual (%) 26.5%
Life-cycle (30 year) $12870 $6730
Simple Payback 4.4 years 0.0 years
Positive Cash Flow 1.0 years

Compliance

Code Type: Residential Commercial
Field Study No No
Training Program No No

Resources

Additional Information

Alaska

Background

The first BEES for the state of Alaska was introduced in 1985. Alaskan home builders filed an injunction to stop implementation; however, claiming that they did not have adequate opportunity to testify. The courts halted the implementation date pending a review. As part of that 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. Residential buildings are now required to comply with BEES, which equates to a 4-plus star energy rating. Local jurisdictions are permitted to adopt other standards that meet or exceed the BEES requirements.

A home constructed after 1991 must comply with the Alaska BEES that was in effect at the time the home was constructed in order to qualify for AHFC financing. To certify existing homes to BEES use the following timeline:

BEES 1991
January 1, 1992 - December 31, 1994 Standards
Minimum energy rating of 4 Star

  • BEES booklet

BEES 1995
January 1, 1995 - March 31, 2007 Standards
Minimum energy rating of 4 Star Plus

  • BEES Booklet

BEES 2006
April 1, 2007 - March 8, 2011 Standards
Minimum energy rating of 4 Star Plus

  • IECC 2006
  • ASHRAE 62.2, 2004
  • Alaska Specific Amendments

BEES 2009
March 9, 2011 – June 30, 2013
Minimum energy rating of 4 Star Plus

  • IECC 2009
  • ASHRAE 62.2, 2010
  • Alaska Specific Amendments

BEES 2012
July 1, 2013 – December 31, 2018
Minimum energy rating of 5 Star, maximum 4 ACH50

  • IECC 2012
  • ASHRAE 62.2, 2010
  • Alaska Specific Amendments

BEES 2018
July 1, 2013 – December 31, 2018
Minimum energy rating of 5 Star, maximum 4 ACH50

  • IECC 2018
  • ASHRAE 62.2, 2016
  • Alaska Specific Amendments
State-Owned/Funded Buildings

State-financed residential housing must meet the BEES. BEES consists of the 2012 IECC and ASHRAE Standard 62.2-2010, Ventilation and Acceptable Indoor Air Quality in Low-Rise Residential Buildings, as well as Alaska-specific amendments to both. BEES was adopted June 18, 2014, by the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation.

All public facilities must be designed to comply with the thermal and lighting energy standards adopted by the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities under AS44.42.020(a)(14).

Adoption Process

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.

Enforcement Process

Builders demonstrate compliance with the BEES requirements by completing a standardized compliance form that is furnished with the mortgage package. The builder may choose one of the following methods to show compliance:

1) Inspection and certification by a registered architect, engineer, or International Conference of Building Officials (ICBO) certified building inspector

2) State-approved home energy rating methods

3) Certification by a local building code official when the local energy code is at least as energy efficient as the BEES requirements

4 ) Certification by a builder who has taken the appropriate Building Science Training.

Compliance Process

Depending on the method used, compliance may be certified by an energy rater, licensed architect, engineer, State of Alaska licensed new home inspector, contractor, building owner, or mechanical contractor (ventilation only) that meets the BEES Compliance Certification requirements.