Penn Foundation Receives Sustainability Award from Philadelphia Business Journal

Release by Penn Foundation for Patch.
Penn Foundation has been named the winner of the Philadelphia Business Journal Innovation Award for Sustainability. This award recognizes a leading healthcare company who has implemented innovative “green” practices that encourage sustainability and conversation. Penn Foundation received this award at the Philadelphia Business Journal’s award program on October 24 in Philadelphia.
“It is an incredible honor to receive this award, and we are grateful to the Philadelphia Business Journal,” says Wayne Mugrauer, president and CEO of Penn Foundation. “Being a prudent steward of resources has always been part of Penn Foundation’s mission. This not only means being responsive to community need but also being a good corporate citizen. I want to acknowledge architect Phil Lederach of Lederach Associates as well as Penn Builders. Their forward-thinking vision contributed to earning this award and promotes a healthy environment for our visitors and staff.”
Penn Foundation has undertaken several building and improvement projects in recent years that incorporate “green” technology to conserve energy, harvest natural resources, and promote clean air.

• In December 2012, Penn Foundation opened the Dr. Norman L. and Esther B. Loux Healthcare Center, a 36,000 square foot outpatient facility which, by all accounts, is the only one in the country to couple Geo-Thermal and Chilled Beam Heating and Cooling Systems. Paired together, these technologies produce one of the most energy-efficient HVAC systems available today.  The Loux Center uses several state-of-the-art technologies and recycled building materials.
• In 2011, Penn Foundation opened Penn Villa, a residential community consisting of a group home and five townhomes. Penn Villa was built as a cluster design to preserve open space, and it was designed to Energy Star standards and includes a Geo-Thermal Heating and Cooling System.
• In 2008, Penn Foundation renovated and expanded its John W. and Emily Clemens Recovery Center, incorporating storm water recharge basins, building orientation to take advantage of solar principles, advanced building envelopes, geo-thermal HVAC systems, energy recovery, lighting control systems, natural daylight and views to improve health and well-being, etc.
• Additionally, Penn Foundation sought and received a grant from the Bucks County Office of Community Development to fund the conversion of an inefficient heat pump HVAC system to a geo-thermal HVAC system in one of its residential homes. This system not only reduced HVAC costs but also incorporated an energy recovery system that dramatically reduced hot water heating costs.