2025 ARCHIVES
March 20, 2025 TAPPING ALASKA’S ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROGRAMS
Interested in lowering your energy bills and shaping the future of energy efficiency in Alaska? Thanks to Jimmy Ord, Ethan Stoops ad Tom Benkert of AHFC for detailing and discussing Alaska-specific rebates, incentives, and resources available to Alaska residents. This workshop looked at what offerings are available, how they work and how best to integrate them with Alaska’s building practices, workforce, and consumer base.
PRESENTATION: AHFC Presentation for ACAT_Final 3-20-25.pdf
VIDEO RECORDING: https://vimeo.com/1069355885?share=copy
JIMMY ORD, Director, Research & Rural Development, AHFC: Originally from Pennsylvania, Jimmy fell in love with Alaska while working on his uncle’s fishing boat in Juneau during summer break from college. He moved to Juneau shortly after graduating from college where he worked in the construction, tourist, and fishing industries before moving to Anchorage in 2010. Jimmy joined AHFC in 2011 as the program information manager in the Research and Rural Development Department. He served as the department manager for several years before becoming the director. Jimmy received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business from the University of Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania and a Master of Science degree from the University of Alaska Southeast in Public Administration. In his free time, Jimmy enjoys spending time with his partner, Suzanne, traveling, cooking, and exploring Alaska’s wild places.
ETHAN STOOPS, Senior Manager, Research & Rural Development: Born and raised in Alaska, after graduating from UAA, Ethan started working as a Project Engineer at a small general contractor and worked his way up to Project Manager with larger and larger companies. Managing remote and rural construction projects all over Alaska from Bethel to Eek to Kobuk to St. Paul. After more than 15 years in Construction, Ethan was looking for a way to take his experience working in the construction industry and find a new way to positively impact the lives of fellow Alaskans and that brought him to the Research and Rural Development Department at AHFC. Ethan joined AHFC as Energy Information Manager for the Research and Rural Development Department in 2022, and moved into his current role as Energy Programs Manager in 2024. My focus is on making sure the good work done by the people at R2D2 has the widest effect possible and brings benefit to the most Alaskans.
TOM BENKERT, Home Energy Rebate Program Manager, Research & Rural Development: Tom was born and raised in Alaska, graduated from Western Washington University with a B.A. in Communications, and later earned an MBA/MIM from the American Graduate School of International Management. Tom’s professional background includes over 30 years of business and program development in a variety of industries including alternative energy, environment, finance, and construction. Although Tom spent a significant amount of his career working in the lower 48, in 2018 he returned home to Alaska with the intent of sharing his skills and knowledge to benefit Alaskans. Tom joined AHFC as the Home Energy Rebate Program Manager for the Research and Rural Development Department in 2023. During this time, Tom has been working diligently with the Department of Energy and stakeholders to develop and customize the rebate programs so that it can be effectively applied to Alaska’s unique operating environment.
Jan. 16, 2025 HEAT PUMPS IN ALASKA
Are Heat Pumps Right for Your Alaskan Home or Business? This informative workshop explored the latest advancements in heat pump performance and its unique applications in Alaska, gave firsthand tips from a heat pump user, and discussed performance with a researcher who has tested heat pumps in Alaskan conditions, and learn about funding opportunities and success stories from the Heat Smart program driving heat pump installations in Southeast Alaska.
VIDEO RECORDING LINK (NOTE: A password is required to view this video)
• I’m an ACAT member. Email info@acat.org for the password
• I’m not an ACAT member, I prefer to register for the workshop at a cost of $10
PRESENTATIONS
2025-ACAT-HeatPumps_Vanessa_Stevens.pdf
ACAT Lessons Learned_Phill_Kaluza.pdf
ACES AK Presentation V2.0_Andy_ROMANOFF.pdf
- Overview – Mark Masteller, ACAT
- Local and federal incentives
- AK Heat Smart resources
- Challenges of heat pump adoption in Alaska
- Coastal Alaska Efforts and Success Stories
- Presented by Andy Romanoff, AK HEAT SMART
- Installer Tips, Tricks, and Lessons Learned
- Presented by Phil Kaluza
- Latest Research on Cold Climate Heat Pumps
- Presented by Vanessa Stevens, National Renewable Energy Laboratory
PRESENTERS
Andy Romanoff, Executive Director AK HEAT SMART, Juneau
Since receiving a B.S. in Environmental Toxicology from New York’s Clarkson University, Andy has worn a variety of hats: community organizer; wilderness guide; tourism business owner and boat captain; graphic designer; and dad. Andy sits on the board of Renewable Juneau and is the project director for the non-profit’s Alaska Carbon Reduction Fund. Andy is honored to be able to bring his passion, energy, and love of heat pumps and energy efficiency to Alaska Heat Smart
Phil Kaluza, Arctic Energy Systems, Seward
Phil Kaluza has been the owner of Arctic Energy Systems for 40 yrs in Alaska. During his early years in Nome, he built several super-insulated homes and became one of the first Monitor Space Heater dealers in Alaska. Phil has been involved in building science training and research throughout his career. Currently Phil is mostly-retired living in Seward promoting and actively monitoring several heat pumps in his deep-energy retrofit duplex. Phil continues to serve on the Kenai Peninsula Borough Resiliency and Security Advisory Committee and the Alaska Weatherization Policy Advisory Committee.
Vanessa Stevens, NREL, Fairbanks
Vanessa Stevens is a building science researcher at NREL’s Alaska Campus in Fairbanks. She works on building science, healthy homes, and technical assistance projects to advance healthy and sustainable shelter in Alaska. Prior to working at NREL’s Alaska Campus in Fairbanks, Stevens was a distance-education physics teacher.