The Northwest Arctic region of Alaska is one of the coldest and most expensive places to live in the United States. Energy prices are high, and winters are long therefore residents spend a large percentage of their income for home heating. Imported fuel oil is brought in during the ice free summer months and prices can vary wildly but are always much higher than the national average. We propose three strategies to reduce energy costs in the Northwest Arctic:
• Energy audit and insulation improvement
• Promote and finance heat pumps as a primary heat source
• Finance heat pump based appliances such as washer/driers and water heaters
The upfront costs of insulation projects and purchasing a heat pump can be a significant barrier for many homeowners, especially for those who have limited financial resources. Innovation is needed to help homeowners in the Northwest Arctic Alaska increase home heating efficiency in a cost-effective manner.
