Alaska
ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2010: No
ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2013: No
Energy cost savings for Alaska resulting from the state updating its commercial and residential building energy codes in accordance with federal law are significant, estimated to be on the order of nearly $50 million annually by 2030.
Alaska DOE Determination Letter, May 31, 2013
Impacts of ASHRAE 90.1-2007 for Commercial Buildings in the State of Alaska (BECP Report, Sept. 2009)
The Building Energy Efficiency Standard (BEES) consists of the 2012 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and includes ASHRAE Standard 62.2-2010 Ventilation and Acceptable Indoor Air Quality in Low-Rise Residential Buildings and state specific amendments.
Alaska Amendments, 2012 IECC and ASHRAE 62.2-2010
Thermal compliance with BEES is most often demonstrated using AkWarm software. Compliance verification must be performed by a certified AkWarm energy rater.
AkWarm Software
2012 IECC: No
2015 IECC: No
Energy cost savings for Alaska resulting from the state updating its commercial and residential building energy codes in accordance with federal law are significant, estimated to be on the order of nearly $50 million annually by 2030.
Alaska DOE Determination Letter, May 31, 2013
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.
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
BEES booklet
Minimum energy rating of 4 Star
BEES 1995 January 1, 1995 - March 31, 2007 Standards
BEES Booklet
Minimum energy rating of 4 Star Plus
BEES 2006 April 1, 2007 - March 8, 2011 Standards
IECC 2006
ASHRAE 62.2, 2004
Alaska Specific Amendments
Minimum energy rating of 4 Star Plus
BEES 2009 March 9, 2011 – June 30, 2013
IECC 2009
ASHRAE 62.2, 2010
Alaska Specific Amendments
Minimum energy rating of 4 Star Plus
BEES 2012 July 1, 2013 – To present
IECC 2012
ASHRAE 62.2, 2010
Alaska Specific Amendments
Minimum energy rating of 5 Star