Sustainable Design

We Deliver Sustainable Solutions

As a member of the U.S. Green Building Council, Central Pennsylvania Chapter and an Energy Star Partner, Barton considers ways to minimize energy consump­tion, conserve resources and enhance indoor environmental quality on every project we complete. Our team of LEED Accredited Professionals and LEED Green Associates looks for opportunities to incorporate natural approaches, as well as integrated design so­lutions that combine various systems and materials together, for a customized solution. We advise our clients on the latest energy legislation and stimulus programs available and perform energy analysis, detailed energy modeling, and design of renewable or alternative energy systems.

Barton was an early adopter of sustainable design and provided MEP services for Lower Windsor Township Municipal Building in Wrightsville, PA in 2004 which received a LEED Silver level certification. In 2013, Barton provided MEP design services for the LEED Platinum Certified Arthur W. Ferguson Elementary School, located in the School District of the City of York, York, PA. The school was the first LEED Platinum public elementary school in Pennsylvania and only the second school overall in Pennsylvania to achieve LEED Platinum certification. The project also achieved the 2011 Overall Design Award from the Green Building Association of Central PA.

Approach to Sustainable Design

Sustainable Design requires a multi-discipline integrated effort between the Owner, Building End Users, Facility Services, Architect, Structural Engineer, Civil Engineer and Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MEP) Engineering Team. Each discipline must coordinate their respective areas of expertise in conjunction with the other stakeholders to provide a holistic and sustainable approach to the project design. The MEP design solution must consider how all aspects of the building including orientation, daily  use and operation, massing, fenestration, and construction affect the systems and controls so that the building systems can be optimized for energy efficiency and performance, while providing comfort and functionality for the building’s end users.

HVAC Systems

  • Detailed energy modeling and analysis of multiple systems and building components to identify combinations resulting in economic and efficiency balance over the life of each system
  • High-efficiency HVAC systems that incorporate heat recovery and other technologies
  • System zoning to provide comfort control in accordance with anticipated building occupancy schedules
  • HVAC systems that minimize the use of ozone depleting on global warming chemicals
  • Energy management and building control systems

Water Conservation

  • Metering/electronic faucets to minimize water usage
  • Waterless fixtures and dual level flushing fixtures
  • Recycled Non-potable water for toilet flushing, irrigation purposes and cooling tower make-up

Lighting Control

  • Automatic lighting controls through use of occupancy sensors or building management systems
  • Daylight harvesting to reduce artificial lighting levels and energy usage during daylight hours
  • Low voltage systems integration
  • Light pollution reduction for interior and exterior lighting systems

Other Technologies

  • Solar thermal
  • Solar electric
  • Wind generation
  • Cogeneration
  • Biomass
  • Thermal chimneys
  • Passive technologies