Cascade Sun Works, Inc.

More than 300 days of sunshine per year make Bend a natural location for Pence Place, a 16-unit solar town home development on Bend’s west side. Pence Place not only uses renewable energy, but also incorporates construction techniques and energy-saving systems that cut energy use in half and improve indoor air quality. These energy-efficient solar dwellings will consume half the energy of a comparable 1,200-square-foot detached home and provide two to three times as much fresh air with half the heat loss.

Cascade Sun Works developed this unique method of heating for Pence Place Solar Town Homes combining Solar Hot Water Heating with a Tankless Hot Water Heater and a Lifebreath Clean Air Furnace/HRV. The benefits are 45%-65% reduction in ongoing heating costs (depending on the units) along with the comfort of fresh air circulation at a reasonable cost. Solar Domestic Hot Water is also supplied by this system. This system qualified for the Energy Trust of Oregon Incentive Program as well as State of Oregon Solar Hot Water Tax Credit.

Pence Place was designed by Gramlich Design and constructed by R&H Construction. Cascade Sun Works developed the solar and heating system as well as provided the interface with the developer in identifying and obtaining the various incentive programs available to this project.

This project was the Energy Trust of Oregon’s first integrated solar and energy efficiency new construction project.
"The energy measures in Pence Place will do more than save the town home owners money. They will serve as a model for other builders and help transform the market for energy-efficient homes and residential renewable resources,” said Diane Ferington, manager, residential programs, Energy Trust.

Pence Place Town Homes win award
Building a Better Central Oregon Committee honors energy efficient town homes
BEND, Ore. – November 23, 2004 – Build a better town home and the world will beat a path to your door. The developers, Jay and Tamey Layton, won a special award from the Building a Better Central Oregon Committee, Central Oregon Association of Realtors, on November 17 for outstanding energy efficiencies and solar properties.

Oregon Office of Energy article by Kathy Shinn (PDF)
Pence Place Award Press release from Oregon Office of Energy and Energy Trust (PDF)