You can’t live in Alaska without heat. There are many different heating appliances and distribution systems to choose from (from wood stoves, oil boilers, and ground source heat pumps to hydronic, forced air, and radiant distribution). The most common heating appliances in Fairbanks are oil-fired boilers and wood stoves (often used as a supplemental source). Wood, oil, and coal are the most available and common fuel sources in the Interior.  CCHRC has studied the energy efficiency, cost, and maintenance requirements of various heating systems and is researching ways to incorporate and expand alternative energy sources.