It is called STAR 21…… here's the new website STAR 21

Sustainable Technology and Architectural Retrofit for the 21^st Century.

The name also ties in with the well known “Energy Star” name.

Our idea is to provide a program making it simple and easy for the homeowner or business owner to upgrade their low to average efficiency building to a much higher level of efficiency in order achieve a very small or even carbon neutral footprint, through the retrofit of energy efficiency improvements combined with energy self sufficiency measures such as solar hot water and solar electric PV systems (which may be planned for later as the price of PV is anticipated to start dropping in the near term). Where water is a concern, we may also provide water cistern and roof collection systems combined with dual flush toilets, greywater systems and low flow fixtures.

We will first do a thorough walk through identifying problems and follow that with testing using blower door and thermal imaging to locate the energy leaks, then we'll compute an Energy Star HERS rating for the existing building and then we will recommend specific corrective measures, explaining each recommendation and then we get a construction plan and price out each improvement, once authorized to go ahead with financiong procured, we make the changes to retrofit the building, assisting the owner with tax credit forms, computing paybacks for each measure we recommend and helping arrange special discount rate financing for the retrofit.

We’ll then supervise the envelope tightening, insulation and window upgrades, HVAC upgrades, appliance upgrades, structural improvements and solar systems. After the building has been upgraded, we’ll re-test to give a new post-modification HERS rating. For verification, as needed, we will install web monitoring equi pment of the building’s power consumption / production in real time. Energy will be the primary consideration we are addressing, but all of the other resource and environmental issues will also be addressed during the evaluation to suggest overall improvements on Green Building considerations.

IN ADDITION, The older homes built prior to Hurricane Andrew, which are not tied down to the foundation with metal straps, will typically be retrofitted while we are undergoing the other changes. This will qualify the owner for a $400 per year discount on hurricane / windstorm insurance.

We are aiming to provide the benefits of a healthy living environment, structural integrity, self sufficiency, comfort and environmental responsibility to living spaces. We aim to do this in ways that pay for themselves and also provide a hedge against the coming energy shortages and price increases we will face in the future. Since the energy used by buildings is responsible for 48% of all greenhouse gases in a time when climate change threatens to become a disruptive force, we are seeking to help you minimize the amount of hydrocarbons burned to maintain your comfortable shelter whether it be a business or a residence.