Panasonic Eco Solutions North America

Panasonic Eco Solutions North America (PESNA) is a division of the Panasonic Corporation of North America. The company has been in the ventilation business for over 100 years and is the largest manufacturer of ventilation equipment globally.

Initially, Panasonic Ventilation was founded in Japan in 1903 and has been producing high-quality ventilation products since; from electric fans in 1913 to air conditioners in 1958 to the company’s world-renowned WhisperQuiet ventilation fans in 1993.

For more than 20 years, the team has been dedicated to providing building professionals and consumers with advanced ventilation solutions.

Forward-thinking

“I think what truly sets us apart is that we are the innovative leader,” explains Jim Shelton, director of sales and marketing for PESNA. “We manufactured the first energy efficient fan. We also created the first ventilation fan to include a motor that could vary speeds. Over the years, we have anticipated code changes before they hit. We create specialty products and for a long time, we were the only company in our market building our own motors.”

Sustainability has long been a trademark of the business. PESNA products have been put into use for a range of light commercial and residential projects. Clients trust the brand for performance and efficiency, particularly for LEED and ENERGY STAR 3.0 projects.

Building a partnership with PESNA means more than finding a reputable supplier. Teaming up with the manufacturer actually also helps clients boost their own reputation in the industry. In turn, customers come to trust the performance, quality and energy efficiency that come with PESNA products.

Greenbuild involvement

At the 2014 Greenbuild International Conference and Expo (Greenbuild), Shelton and his team are highlighting the company’s newest breakthrough offering WhisperGreen Select, a high performance, customizable ventilation fan. WhisperGreen Select is the ideal all-purpose IAQ Solution. The ingenious new Pick-A-Flow (50-80-110 or 110-130-150 CFM) technology provides the ability to select required air flow with just the flip of a switch. Then, a set of four unique Plug ‘N Play modules allows further customization of the fan by choosing multi-speed operation, motion sensor, condensation sensor and automatic LED night light. With multi-speed, one can select the proper CFM settings to satisfy ASHRAE 62.2 continuous ventilation requirements. The product is featured in the Greenbuild LivingHome, a unique demonstration structure at the convention that showcases leading sustainable building materials and products.

“The Greenbuild LivingHome showcases the best new products of green building,” Shelton notes. “We’ll have great exposure and we look forward to meeting with architects and engineers who are interested in our products. Often, we find we learn more from attendees than they do from us. This show is on the cutting edge of building science and we are always happy to be involved.”

Shelton goes on to explain that the Whisper Green Select features a DC motor that has variable speeds. “Contractors can choose between speeds depending on the size of the space and the performance the project requires,” he clarifies. The multi-speed with time delay Plug ‘N Play module also high/low delay timer and the product offers a SmartAction motion sensor, as well, to reduce operation time when the fan does not need to be running. The Whisper Green Select is durable, boasting a 60,000-hour motor life and rustproof paint, as well as thermal fuse protection. The product is code compliant and meets requirements for LEED certification, ENERGY STAR and Earthcraft ratings, among other green building codes and standards.

Continued innovation

The PESNA product line continues to grow as the company’s design team works toward improving and innovating solutions for a wide range of light commercial and residential applications. The business remains invested in both new construction and retrofit products. As attitudes about sustainable building continue to shift in the right direction, PESNA remains ahead of the curve.

“Ventilation is going to keep changing,” Shelton notes. “This market has gone from providing simple fans to providing products that improve air quality. Now we are working toward creating a system that is recognized as a means to clean, healthy and sustainable environments. This includes complete kitchen, bathroom and bedroom ventilation systems in the future. We want to really be the driving force behind this continued innovation.”

PESNA stands for more than just selling ventilation fans. For the future, the company strives to create a healthier planet and healthier homes, one fan at a time. “I want a healthy planet for my kids and grandkids,” Shelton explains. “We think about what we are going to leave behind for future generations.” Panasonic Eco Solutions North America continues to operate with this strong and simple mission and creating innovative products that make a difference for the environment.