Pacific SBS certifies Hawaii's First LEED Platinum Home

Keep checking back, the full story is coming soon!

Pacific SBS earns Leadership in Housing Award

Pacific Sustainable Building Science, LLC earns award for verifying new homes that protect the environment through energy efficiency

Honolulu, HI – Pacific Sustainable Building Science is pleased to announce that it has been recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with a 2009 ENERGY STAR Leadership in Housing Award. This award recognizes the important contribution Pacific SBS has made to energy-efficient construction and environmental protection by verifying more than 143 ENERGY STAR qualified homes last year throughout Hawaii and Guam. Collectively, these homes will save our customers approximately $63,921 on utility bills each year.

The environmental benefits of these ENERGY STAR qualified homes are equal to the equivalent of:

• Eliminating the emissions from 98 vehicles;
• Saving 423,852 lbs of coal;
• Planting 116 acres of trees; or
• Saving the environment 831,259 pounds of CO2 per year.

To earn the ENERGY STAR, a home must meet strict guidelines for energy efficiency set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. These homes are at least 15% more energy efficient than homes built to the 2004 International Residential Code (IRC), and include additional energy-saving features that typically make them 20–30% more efficient than standard homes.

“We are truly honored to receive this award,” says Mitchell Johnson, founder of Pacific SBS, “but our success really comes from having such supportive clients who understand the value of ENERGY STAR. It also comes from working with local builders who are willing to listen to our suggestions and try new things in their building practices.”

ENERGY STAR qualified homes offer homebuyers all the features they want in a new home, plus energy-saving features like effective insulation systems, high performance windows, tight construction and ducts, properly-sized and installed efficient cooling equipment, efficient products, and third-party verification of energy performance.

“Most homebuyers focus on what's outside the walls,” said Sam Rashkin, National Director for EPA's ENERGY STAR Homes Program, “but they also need to look behind the walls for the energy-efficient features found in ENERGY STAR qualified homes that help ensure comfort, quiet, improved indoor air quality, and low utility bills for years to come.”

About PACIFIC SBS, LLC

Pacific Sustainable Building Science is Hawaii's premier third-party building performance testing, inspection, and verification firm. The company began as specialists in ENERGY STAR ratings of new construction of site-built, manufactured and multi-family homes and developments. It has since grown to provide consultation for LEED for Homes (the national rating system of the U.S. Green Building Council www.usgbc.org which stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), “green” and energy efficient remodeling of existing homes and small commercial buildings.

The firm opened in 2006 as Energy Management Solutions and changed to Pacific Sustainable Building Science, LLC in January of this year to better reflect the company’s growing services. “We felt the new name was more reflective of what we do,” says Mitchell Johnson, founder and principal, “because it really has come down to science these days with all the new equipment and diagnostic tools at our disposal.”

Partners Mitchell Johnson and Peter Stone have the latest training, testing and diagnostic equipment and modeling software that the energy rating industry has to offer. In Hawaii, they are experienced in dealing with efficiency issues that are unique to the tropical environment.

About ENERGY STAR

ENERGY STAR was introduced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 1992 as a voluntary market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through increased energy efficiency. Today, ENERGY STAR offers businesses and consumers energy-efficient solutions to save energy, money and help protect the environment for future generations. More than 12,000 organizations are ENERGY STAR partners committed to improving the energy efficiency of products, homes, buildings and businesses. For more information about ENERGY STAR, visit www.energystar.gov or call toll-free 1-888-STAR-YES (1-888-782-7937).

Pacific SBS moves to new Downtown Office

~April 1, 2009

Pacific SBS owners Mitchell Johnson and Peter Stone have relocated their firm into a new office in downtown Honolulu.  "We needed more space and to be closer to our clients." states Peter.  "Although our projects are located all over the Pacific, most of our clients have offices in the downtown area."

Pacific Sustainable Building Science, LLC, formerly known as Energy Management Solutions, LLC, was founded by Mitchell Johnson in 2006 when he was just 26 years old.  "I grew up doing construction in the summer and sales/customer service in the cold winters." says Johnson.  "When I started to see how people were struggling with the balance of comfort and energy costs here in Hawaii, I really felt like I wanted to do something to help," he adds.

Mitchell Johnson is Hawaii's first Home Energy Rating Systems (HERS) rater and first LEED for Homes Rater, a NAHB Green Homes program verifier, and a Certified Green Building Professional.  "When I formed EMS, I was focused on helping homeowners and builders deal with energy-related issues in homes.  With my background, technical knowledge, and experience, I expanded into other fields like LEED, NAHB Green Homes, and small commercial projects." Johnson admits.  "

Since 2006, Energy Management Solutions, now Pacific Sustainable Building Science, has grown from offering simple home energy audits, to providing a multitude of energy efficiency and green building consulting, third-party verification, and certification services for clients like Gentry, Haseko, Group 70, Peter Vincent Architects, and Design Partners Inc, to name a few.

"We've been fortunate to have been given key opportunities that have gained us so much experience, knowledge, and exposure," Johnson points out.  "Our role becomes much more valuable to a team of architects, engineers, and builders when we can show them a proven track record of accomplishments."

On January 1, 2009, Mitchell brought former client and friend Peter Stone on board to help with the expansion of Pacific SBS.  Stone, who is a long-time Hawaii business owner, is also a HERS rater and Certified Green Building Professional and performs regular energy-related building inspections.  "Being a Hawaii native, I've always had a passion for energy efficiency and sustainability." he says. "Knowing that Mitchell was looking for someone to help with operations and having recently sold my existing 15 year company, Mitchell and I began a conversation that eventually led to us joining forces and forming Pacific Sustainable Building Science."  

"Having Peter on board has really allowed me more time for my family and hobbies."  "Without him, I'd still be working a 70+ hour work week trying to stay ahead."

You can visit them in their new office at 1136 Union Mall, Suite 202 in downtown Honolulu Monday through Friday from 8 to 5 or you can reach them by phone at 808-521-SAVE.  If they're not in, they're probably just out helping someone save money!