What Star Service does

Star Service, Inc. is a third-generation, Miller-family-owned commercial HVAC services company headquartered in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, founded in 1952. It delivers preventative maintenance, building automation and controls, construction, design-build, energy management, and specialized explosion-proof HVAC services to commercial, industrial, institutional, and governmental clients across South Louisiana, operating from offices in Baton Rouge, Lafayette, and Lake Charles. The company's technology footprint spans conventional packaged units, split systems, chillers, VRF systems, boilers, air handling units, VFDs, VAV terminals, and building automation platforms from Automated Logic, Trane, and Johnson Controls, complemented by an in-house sheet metal fabrication shop that shortens construction lead times. Star Service is a Linc Service Contractor, sources military and vocational talent through the DoD SkillBridge Program and CTEC partnerships, and emphasizes vendor-agnostic technical depth over single-platform lock-in.

The business model is anchored by long-term fixed-cost preventative maintenance agreements that transfer HVAC operating risk from the client to Star Service, generating recurring subscription-style revenue on a monthly billing cadence. This is supplemented by project-based construction and design-build work, building automation optimization and installation, and energy management services — the latter producing documented outcomes such as a ~30% electricity bill reduction over two years for Visit Lake Charles and a $40,000 electricity cost reduction for West Feliciana Parish Schools. Customers include Lafayette Parish Schools (46 schools, 18,000 tons), All Star Automotive (40 facilities, 27-year relationship), Lake Charles Toyota, Flavin Realty, West Feliciana Parish Schools, Bank of St. Francisville, RKM Primary Care, Imperial Calcasieu, Catholic High School, Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Iron Tribe Fitness, and Boudreaux's, spanning education, healthcare, automotive, financial services, religious, hospitality, and fitness verticals. Sales is conducted exclusively through direct enterprise field sales — anchored by no-risk site analyses and consultative selling to facility managers, school administrators, and business owners — with supporting inside-sales intake via the company website.

In 2016 the Miller family used proceeds from the acquisition of out-of-state and New Orleans operations to expand the three South Louisiana facilities and prepare the third generation for leadership transition. The company is currently the subject of a Louisiana Attorney General investigation into a no-bid HVAC service contract with Lafayette Parish School System, an open regulatory risk that bears monitoring.

Name

Star Service

Legal name

Star Service, Inc.

Website

https://star-service.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1952

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Star Service is a third-generation, Miller-family-owned commercial HVAC services company founded in 1952, providing fixed-cost preventative maintenance, building automation, construction, and design-build services to commercial, industrial, and institutional clients across South Louisiana from offices in Baton Rouge, Lafayette, and Lake Charles.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Commercial HVAC Services

NAICS

Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors (23822), Facilities Support Services (561210)

SIC

Services-Facilities Support Management Services (8744)

akta.pro primary industry

Commercial HVAC Maintenance Agreements & PM Programs (HSAOAHAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

HVAC Service, Maintenance & Repair (BPABACAA), Commercial HVAC/R Installation (Rooftop Units, Split Systems) (HSAOAGAH), Building Thermal Controls & Building Management Systems (HVAC BMS) (IMAHAKAK)

Keywords

• Commercial HVAC services
• Preventative maintenance programs
• Building automation systems
• Design-build HVAC
• Industrial HVAC solutions

Headquarters

HQ city

Baton Rouge

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Preventative Maintenance Contracts: Long-term fixed-cost maintenance agreements that transfer HVAC risk to Star Service. Clients pay a predictable monthly or annual fee for comprehensive maintenance, repairs, and replacements at no additional cost.
2. HVAC Construction and Design-Build Services: Design, installation, and construction of new HVAC systems for commercial and industrial facilities. Includes new construction, facility expansions, and major HVAC upgrades.
3. Building Automation and Control Services: System optimization, upgrades, new control system installation, and ongoing support for building automation and control systems.
4. Energy Management Services: Comprehensive energy audits, customized energy conservation solutions, and advanced energy management technologies to reduce operational costs for clients.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Star Service provides commercial HVAC services organized around four pillars: Preventative Maintenance (fixed-cost long-term agreements that transfer HVAC risk to Star Service), Building Automation & Control (system optimization and new control installations), Construction (full HVAC installation with in-house sheet metal fabrication), and Design-Build (custom HVAC design and delivery). The company services a wide range of equipment including package units, split systems, chillers, VRF systems, boilers, air handling units, VFDs, VAV terminal units, building automation systems, explosion-proof systems, and PTAC/window units.

Product overview

Star Service offers a comprehensive commercial HVAC service platform organized around four core service pillars: Preventative Maintenance (long-term maintenance plans with fixed-cost agreements), Building Automation & Control (system optimization and new control installations), Construction (design-build HVAC solutions with in-house sheet metal fabrication), and Design-Build (custom HVAC system design and installation). Their unique approach transfers HVAC risk to the company while keeping systems at peak performance. Star Service maintains a wide range of HVAC equipment including Package Units, Split Systems, Chillers, VRF Systems, Boilers, Air Handling Units, Variable Frequency Drives, VAV Terminal Units, Building Automation Systems, Explosion Proof Systems, and PTAC/Window Units. They serve diverse markets including Education, Industrial, Medical, Corporate, Retail, Hospitality, Municipalities, and Recreation sectors across South Louisiana.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Preventative Maintenance Long-term maintenance plans ranging from fixed-cost agreements to tailored preventative maintenance for specific building needs, transferring HVAC risk to Star Service while keeping systems functioning at peak performance and reducing costs. Targeted at commercial, industrial, and institutional facility operators in South Louisiana.
• Building Automation & Control Solutions that optimize existing control systems or install new user-friendly controls to enhance HVAC efficiency, reliability, and usability, including system optimization, upgrades, new installations, energy management, and remote monitoring. For facility owners and managers seeking to improve building automation performance.
• Construction Construction-ready HVAC solutions including full-service sheet metal fabrication, HVAC support for industrial plants, large-scale commercial and industrial projects, and design-build construction delivery. For commercial and industrial clients undertaking new construction, expansions, or major HVAC upgrades.
• Design-Build Innovative and cost-effective HVAC design-build solutions encompassing initial consultation, custom system design, project planning, construction and installation, system integration, testing, and ongoing support. For clients renovating existing buildings, addressing recurring HVAC issues, or constructing new facilities.
• Energy Management Comprehensive energy management services including energy audits, customized energy conservation solutions, advanced energy management technologies, and expert support to improve energy efficiency and reduce operational costs. For facility owners seeking measurable electricity cost reductions.
• Explosion-Proof HVAC Systems Explosion-proof HVAC systems meeting stringent National Electric Code (NEC) criteria for explosion-proof ratings, ensuring safety and reliability for hazardous industrial facilities such as chemical, pharmaceutical, and similar environments.

Quantifiable outcome

• 30% reduction in electricity bills over two years
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Linc Service Contractor NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStar Service operates as a Linc Service Contractor, a network of commercial HVAC contractors known for their preventative maintenance approach. This affiliation provides national standards, best practices, and operational support while maintaining local ownership under the Miller family.
• CTEC (Career and Technical Education Center)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStar Service works with East Baton Rouge's Career and Technical Education Center, engaging with students in the HVAC pathway program. Professionals from Star meet with students to teach about industry opportunities and provide professional assistance and valuable feedback before careers begin.
• Department of Defense SkillBridge ProgramminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStar Service participates in the Department of Defense SkillBridge Program, providing active-duty military service members with civilian work experience opportunities during their final 180 days of service. The program offers hands-on training, professional connections, and career start in HVAC, controls, or energy management.
• Lafayette Parish SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor partnership covering 46 schools across Lafayette Parish School System, including 18,000 tons of HVAC systems. Supports nearly 29,000 students and 4,400 employees with comprehensive preventative maintenance services.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Limbach Holdings: Limbach Holdings provides integrated mechanical systems (HVAC, plumbing, building controls) for commercial and institutional customers with a meaningful recurring service/maintenance business. Similar to Star Service in combining HVAC construction with ongoing facility service across education, healthcare, and commercial end markets.
• Lee Company: Lee Company is a multi-trade mechanical services firm providing HVAC, plumbing, and building services across the Southeast U.S. Comparable to Star Service in emphasizing long-term service relationships and recurring maintenance contracts with commercial and institutional customers.
• Brandt Companies: Brandt Companies is a mechanical contractor offering HVAC, plumbing, and sheet metal fabrication for commercial, industrial, and institutional customers across the Sunbelt. Directly comparable to Star Service given the combination of in-house fabrication, HVAC construction, and ongoing service.
• TDIndustries: TDIndustries is an employee-owned mechanical contractor providing HVAC, plumbing, and building services across the South-Central U.S., with strong recurring maintenance work. Comparable to Star Service in service mix, end markets, and emphasis on long-term customer partnerships.
• Haynes Mechanical Systems: Haynes Mechanical Systems designs, installs, services, and maintains commercial HVAC, plumbing, and building automation systems across Colorado and surrounding markets. Highly comparable business model to Star Service, combining construction with ongoing service agreements.
• Linc Service: Linc Service is a national network of commercial HVAC contractors specializing in fixed-cost preventative maintenance agreements. Star Service is itself a Linc Service contractor, making Linc the most directly comparable peer by business model and service offering.

Broad incumbents

• EMCOR Group: EMCOR is one of the largest U.S. mechanical and electrical construction/services firms, with a substantial commercial HVAC installation and facilities-services franchise. Comparable in offering HVAC construction, building automation, and recurring service agreements to commercial/industrial/institutional clients, though operating at much broader national scale.
• APi Group: APi Group is a global safety, specialty, and industrial services holding company with significant HVAC-related mechanical services through subsidiaries. Operates broader portfolios but overlaps directly with Star Service in commercial HVAC service and building controls work for institutional and industrial clients.
• Comfort Systems USA: Comfort Systems USA is a national mechanical contractor focused on HVAC installation, service, and maintenance for commercial and industrial customers. Provides installation, building automation, and recurring service revenue streams similar to Star Service, but at multi-state scale.

Regional players

• Murphy Company: Murphy Company is a mechanical contractor delivering HVAC, plumbing, and process piping to commercial and industrial customers, primarily in the Midwest. Comparable service offering and end-market mix to Star Service but operates in a different geographic region.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Star Service