2011 Alaska Building Energy Efficiency Standard (BEES 2011)

Residential Code: The Building Energy Efficiency Standards (BEES) 2011 is based on the 2009 IECC with Alaska-specific amendments. As there is no "true" statewide residential energy code, see below for the limited application of this code.

Commercial Code: None statewide.

TEXT: 2009 IECC | ASHRAE 62.2-2010 | Alaska-Specific Amendments to the IECC 2009

Citation: N/A

Application: Local jurisdictions may adopt more stringent codes, as there is no "true" statewide energy code in Alaska. 

The standard applies to all residential and public facility improvements or construction that were:

• Constructed on or after March 9, 2011 (AHFC considers construction to have begun if the pilings, footings, or foundation has been started); and

• Funded wholly or in part by AHFC programs or other state funds

 Some estimates put the share of residential construction required to comply with the Alaska BEES to be between 30% and 40%.

Compliance: To comply with BEES 2011, these projects must comply with:

• The International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) 2009, Second Printing, which includes:

• ASHRAE Standard 62.2-2010 Ventilation and Acceptable Indoor Air Quality in Low-Rise Residential Buildings with

• Alaska Amendments to IECC 2009 and ASHRAE Standard 62-2 2010 adopted March 9, 2011 by Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC)

Approximate Stringency: As stringent as 2009 IECC.

Effective Date: March 9, 2011. This replaced the Alaska Building Energy Efficiency Standard edition published on February 9, 2010

Approved Compliance Tools: REScheck & COMcheck are not applicable. Thermal compliance with BEES most often shown using AkWarm software. Must be performed by a certified AkWarmTM energy rater. AkWarm Software. See below or the BEES webpage for more. 

• BEES Compliance Certification List 

• BEES Compliance Certification Requirements

RECA Residential Compliance Guides for AK: 2006 IECC | 2009 IECC | 2012 IECC 

Background: The Alaska Building Energy Efficiency Standard edition published on February 9, 2010 was replaced on March 9, 2011. Visit the BEES webpage of the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation for more details.

Please note:

• AkWarm© energy ratings may be utilized as a method of meeting thermal compliance of the energy standard.
• ASHRAE 62.2-2010 is the only option for meeting ventilation compliance of the energy standard.
• The current version of the AHFC PUR-101 form will be utilized to show compliance with the new standard. Note that a completed PUR-102 or Certificate of Occupancy form an approved municipality is also required for AHFC financing.
• To ask specific questions or to borrow or view print copies of the Above-referenced Documents Contact AHFC's Resource Information Center.

The first printing of the Alaska Building Energy Efficiency Standard (BEES) by Alaska Housing Finance Corporation was September 1, 1991, and went into effect on January 1, 1992. Although there have been no technical changes to the Standard since that time, a number of editorial corrections and updates to the original printing have occurred. Formerly, these corrections and updates were listed on a separate errata sheet in the BEES. They included:

1.  A Window U-Value Default Table, which has been in effect since November 17, 1993.
2. Clarifications of window test requirements, which have been in effect since January 1, and February 1, 1995.
3. An airtightness-level rating system now listed numerically.
4. Updated names, dates, and miscellaneous information.
5. Corrections of various printing errors in the original document.
6. Clarification of approved rating systems, tests and energy-analysis software.
7. An increase in compliant energy ratings from 4 Star in 1992 to 4 Star Plus in 1995. These changes are now incorporated into this Second Printing of January 1, 2002.

This Standard shall not be used to abridge any structural, safety, fire, health, or environmental requirements of locally adopted codes, federal standards, or current editions of the International or Uniform Building, Mechanical, Plumbing and Fire Codes as adopted by the International Conference of Building Officials (ICBO) and the National Electrical Code as adopted by the National Fire Protection Association. In case of conflict between this Standard and any of the above codes or standards, the most stringent shall apply. This Standard is intended to supplement these codes.

Page information last updated February 13, 2012.

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