How are you going to deal with the doubled cost of heating this winter? (Anchorage: homes, to buy)

[Woof]

Good luck with that new wood stove, SuValley, and lay in a few cords while the price is still reasonable!

[Woof]

from Print Story: In rural Alaska, fuel costs now matter of survival on Yahoo! News (broken link)

In rural Alaska, fuel costs now matter of survival

By STEVE QUINN, Associated Press Writer
Wed Aug 6, 12:54 PM ET



A gallon of unleaded gasoline: $10. Heating fuel: $9.10 a gallon. Electricity: $1.17 per kilowatt hour — 11 times the national average.
Some heavily taxed European nation or a time in the future when global fossil fuels have grown dangerously sparse?

Moderator cut: copyright issues

[RayinAK]

Yes, it's pretty tough out there. Some folks are moving into the major cities. It's either having food on the table, or to freeze. At least they can survive in the cities.

[warptman]

It's pretty sad when all the road system legislators vote down Palin's original payout of $1200 to $500 on the Senate side. The house has it better, they agreed with Palin's payout of $1200. It's not fair when there are only 4 or 5 rural legislators compared to all the rest of them from the system.

[Towhee]

Thank God we heat with wood, and our winter's supply is already on hand. A lot of it came from a cousin's nearby sawmill ( slabwood), and the rest came from our own woods. All it costs is the cutting and hauling, and my husband was still able to do that. I'm not sure he will be able next year....if he has another 'next year' .

Now I only hope my arms will hold out for the carrying of it in. I took over that job last winter.

[RayinAK]

Originally Posted by Marianinark

Thank God we heat with wood, and our winter's supply is already on hand. A lot of it came from a cousin's nearby sawmill ( slabwood), and the rest came from our own woods. All it costs is the cutting and hauling, and my husband was still able to do that. I'm not sure he will be able next year....if he has another 'next year' .

Now I only hope my arms will hold out for the carrying of it in. I took over that job last winter.

A lot of people in Alaska heat with a combination of wood, fuels, etc. However, in some areas of Alaska there are no trees one can cut for firewood. That's the case in some of the villages by the coastline. The problem is the extreme cold requires the us of a lot of heat indoors to keep things warm. For example, it can be -60 or colder outside the house.

[Marty Van Diest]

Most of the coastal villages outside the treeline originally lived in very the efficient barabara or similar type of bulding. These were partially underground and very well insulated by earth. Now they have been replaced with frame structures built above ground and exposed to the complete fury of -60 degree temps and 60+ mph winds.

These houses are energy hogs. It's time to go back to a modern version of the barabara for these villages. They could be made inexpensively and heated easily. With modern materials this is something that could easily be done.

But so far...we try to replicate suburban america on the tundra. Complete with sidewalks made out of treated wood.

[gallon]

Is coal generally available up there? I know it is mined in the Alaska range. Could be a bridge solution until the gas distribution line is finished.

[Towhee]

Originally Posted by Marianinark

Thank God we heat with wood, and our winter's supply is already on hand. A lot of it came from a cousin's nearby sawmill ( slabwood), and the rest came from our own woods. All it costs is the cutting and hauling, and my husband was still able to do that. I'm not sure he will be able next year....if he has another 'next year' .

Now I only hope my arms will hold out for the carrying of it in. I took over that job last winter.

Sorry, I didn't notice I was on the Alaska forum

[warptman]

Originally Posted by Marianinark

Sorry, I didn't notice I was on the Alaska forum

Ya rekin??