Formerly located in a 1960s motel, Bethlehem Inn, which offers temporary housing, meals and more for those experiencing homelessness, now boasts two new buildings that are models of energy efficiency and renewable energy. Over the past three years, the Bend nonprofit worked closely with Energy Trust on its Family Residence and Service Hub, which shelters up to 10 families and includes a commercial kitchen, and its Next Steps building, which accommodates up to 112 single adults.

“From the initial design stage, Energy Trust recommended strategies for saving energy and water and maximizing solar potential,” said Gwenn Wysling, executive director. “The process was very helpful and educational.”

Features such as extra insulation, daylighting, high-efficiency heat pumps and LED lighting are saving Bethlehem Inn an estimated $16,700 per year on energy costs. In addition, each building was designed to be solar ready, with the roof oriented to maximize solar exposure and wiring and inverters included during construction. Bethlehem Inn received $57,200 in Energy Trust cash incentives to help offset the cost of these improvements.

With financial support from Pacific Power’s Blue Sky^SM customers and other sources, Bethlehem Inn installed a 92-kilowatt-hour solar system on the Family Residence and Service Hub. Generating 119,000 kWh every year, the renewable power system further trims annual energy costs by an estimated $11,000.

“The new facilities allow us to serve twice as many people,” said Wysling.

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