Our Green Movement

Providing Solutions for Sustainable Building

The green revolution is increasing the demand for sustainable, environmentally friendly, energy efficient design. PennBarry understands the importance of these initiatives, which is why we are a member of U.S. Green Building Council and an Energy Star Service and Product Provider Partner.

Fans in the HVAC system are key components of most mechanical systems and consume a lot of energy. Through our knowledge of the HVAC industry, LEAN manufacturing, and product value analysis, PennBarry continues to improve the efficiency of fans in an effort to reduce energy consumption and help meet the industry's goal of net-zero by 2030.

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is a 501 c3 non-profit organization committed to a prosperous and sustainable future for our nation through cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings. With a community comprising 77 local affiliates, more than 13,000 member companies and organizations, and over 188,000 LEED Accredited Professionals, USGBC has been a driving force behind sustainable building design and education. The USGBC leads an unlikely diverse constituency of builders and environmentalists, corporations and nonprofit organizations, elected officials and concerned citizens, teachers and students.

As a member company, PennBarry is able to serve on a LEED / USGBC committee to help shape the future of LEED and green building. Company members also vote for the Board of Directors and participate in ballots of the LEED Rating System.

With one LEED AP and 2 LEED Green Associates on staff, and several more preparing for the exam, PennBarry has a thorough understanding of the LEED rating system and green buildings. In addition to organizational involvement, we encourage PennBarry employees to take personal and corporate responsibility to reduce our collective levels of energy consumption and waste.

USGBC and LEED Overview

The Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI) assumes administration of LEED certification for all commercial and institutional projects registered under any LEED Rating System. The most successful LEED project teams report an integrated design process, with LEED in mind from the project’s inception. For information on registration fees and processes, as well as information on certification, please visit GBCI.org.

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is an internationally recognized green building certification system. LEED is the Green Building Rating System which was developed by USGBC. LEED provides third-party verification that a building or community was designed and built using strategies aimed at improving performance across all the metrics that matter most: energy savings, water efficiency, CO2 emissions reduction, improved indoor environmental quality, and stewardship of resources and sensitivity to their impacts.

LEED Rating Systems are developed through an open, consensus-based process led by LEED committees. Each volunteer committee is composed of a diverse group of practitioners and experts representing a cross-section of the building and construction industry. The key elements of USGBC's consensus process include a balanced and transparent committee structure, technical advisory groups that ensure scientific consistency and rigor, opportunities for stakeholder comment and review, member ballot of new rating systems, and a fair and open appeals process. Learn more about LEED.

Buildings in the United States are responsible for 39% of CO2 emissions, 40% of energy consumption, 13% water consumption, and 15% of GDP per year, making green building a source of significant economic and environmental opportunity. Greater building efficiency can meet 85% of future U.S. demand for energy, and a national commitment to green building has the potential to generate 2.5 million American jobs.