2025 ARCHIVES
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.