SunTerra Homes has developed a new energy efficient wall system called Sunterra EnergyBlock that they say will revolutionize the design and construction of homes and commercial buildings. The first home being built with this innovative new system is being constructed in Sisters and will be featured on the Central Oregon Builders Association (COBA) Tour of Homes the weekend of July 15 –17 and July 22 – 24.
SunTerra EnergyBlock provides an interior decorative masonry wall surface utilizing the principle of thermal mass to create an even temperature throughout a home year round.
The thermal mass absorbs heat energy when the surroundings are higher in temperature than the mass and gives thermal energy back when the surroundings are cooler. This produces the most efficient and comfortable living environment available for the homeowners.
With the SunTerra EnergyBlock system, a home is built fully utilizing a passive solar design which collects and stores heat during the day and releases it at night. It allows the home to store multiple days of solar heat energy without creating a high interior temperature. It also incorporates an interior shutter that automatically opens at optimal times in the morning, to allow solar heat to enter during the day, and closes in the evening to prevent heat loss throughout the night. The system uses a highly efficient mini-split heat pump to augment the passive solar and a low wattage blower that circulates the warmed air throughout the home. This new wall system is insulated over two times the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and allow for a wide variety of siding choices.
During summer months when heat is not needed, the system will complete a night flush cycle for interior cooling, extracting stored heat from the day so the homeowners wake to a cool home in the morning eliminating the need for air conditioning.
“I created the EnergyBlock system after struggling to find an affordable high mass product in construction to fully utilize the potential of passive solar. This new system will provide the advantages of this construction method to our clients,” says Jim Chauncey, developer of the SunTerra EnergyBlock system.
SunTerra Homes is a nationally, multi award winning design/construction business located in Bend committed to cost-effective, energy-efficient construction since 1975.
Chauncey adds, “SunTerra focuses on occupant comfort, less home maintenance, healthy home air quality, design aesthetics, and market value in applying conservation to our clients’ homes. By selecting only the construction elements and energy conservation equipment that truly saves people money.”
541-389-4733, sunterra@bendcable.com, www.sunterrahomes.
