SECAUCUS, N.J., Oct. 4, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- Panasonic recently announced the formation of the Panasonic Home and Environment Company, a newly independent group that focuses on "green technology" dedicated to helping improve the energy efficacy of homes and the health of homeowners in the United States. With the company's formation, Panasonic is also launching its Whisper series of ventilation fans and its flagship WhisperGreen fans that address the growing problem of "sick homes" and the need for whole-house ventilation.
Panasonic is dedicated to meeting the needs of current building trends and developed the WhisperGreen ventilation product line in response to the new Green Building movement in the United States.
Air-tight green buildings bring many benefits and also unintended consequences. Energy efficient, airtight homes lock in the bad air as well as the good. Synthetic building materials used in green building can release harmful chemicals into the air. Dust and mold, and fumes from common household items like air fresheners and scented candles add to the problem. As homes have been built increasingly air-tight during the past 15 years, indoor air quality has suffered. And this problem is not just relegated to new homes.
The remodeling industry is also creating air-tight building environments in older homes with new windows, caulking, insulation techniques and house wrap materials. In fact, the Environmental Protection Agency lists poor indoor air quality as the fourth largest environmental threat in the United States. EPA studies show that levels of air pollution inside the home are often two to five times higher than outdoor levels. Panasonic Whisper fans are a simple and affordable solution for ensuring whole-house ventilation and are designed to run continuously and quietly.
To educate home owners on indoor air quality issues as well as cost effective, efficient whole-house ventilation, Panasonic is launching a new Web site: www.panasonic.com/ventfans.
"Whole-house ventilation is a timely and important issue," said Don T. Stevens, a member of the American Society for Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) and principal of Stevens and Associates, a consulting firm specializing in residential ventilation. "In fact, changes to building codes that recommend mandating whole-house ventilation were debated by the industry at ICC's annual conference in September. Panasonic Home and Environment Company's Whisper fans offer a very cost effective alternative for improving indoor air quality."
Panasonic Home and Environment Company's formation and the introduction of the WhisperGreen line demonstrate Panasonic's ongoing commitment to enhancing the world's environment with green products, product recycling, greener distribution and marketing, and the integration of environmental considerations into business management decisions.
"Panasonic Home and Environment Company is focused on improving people's lives through the use of sound environmental practices and preservation of the natural environment, as well as spearheading a revolution in healthy whole-house ventilation," said Dan Hogan, President, Panasonic Home and Environment Company. "We hope to raise awareness about the health benefits of whole-house ventilation and the performance benefits of the WhisperGreen. This new line is leading the way not only in creating healthy homes, it is also leading the way for a new range of Panasonic household products."
About WhisperGreen
All Panasonic ventilation fans combine energy efficiency, and quiet operation. The new WhisperGreen series also incorporate DC motors and built-in controls that regulate optimum performance. These premium ceiling-mounted ventilation fans offer 75% to 400% more energy efficiency than the minimum Energy Star requirements. The custom variable speed control allows the fan to run continuously at 30 to 80 cfm (cubic feet/minute), and 80 cfm when switched on or activated by an integrated motion sensor in some models. Its delay feature, which keeps the fan running at 80 cfm after a person leaves the bathroom, allows for moisture and odors to be effectively evacuated. All Panasonic fans feature totally enclosed motors, galvanized housings, and thermal fuse protection, all contributing to ultra quiet operation for multiple years of use.
About Panasonic Home and Environment Company
Panasonic Home and Environment Company is a newly independent unit within Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company and Panasonic Corporation of North America. The company has a full line of ventilation fans featuring models for every type of home building need. All of the fans exceed Energy Star ratings. Panasonic is at the forefront of building trends and developed its flagship product, called WhisperGreen, for the new Green Building movement in the U.S. The WhisperGreen features ultra-quiet operation and extremely energy efficient performance. The Web site http://www.panasonic.com/ventfans has more information about the fans, and where they can be purchased.
Panasonic is a global leader in the design and manufacture of eco-friendly electronics products for consumer, business and industrial use. The company's longstanding commitment to environmental preservation has received international recognition. Panasonic was recently named among the Global 100 Most Sustainable Corporations by Global Knights, Inc., in the annual Global 100 list.
Panasonic's achievement in designing highly energy efficient products has been acknowledged by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy with the coveted ENERGY STAR award recognition for seven consecutive years (1999-2005). Panasonic is a leader in developing and marketing the most comprehensive lineup of energy efficient consumer electronics, information technology products, home appliances, and HVAC products, and continues to set the pace for consumer electronics manufacturers.