Is Your Dealership Eco Friendly?

Is Your Dealership Eco Friendly?

Looking for a few ways to start greening your dealership or service center? Being more environmentally conscious does not have to be a large scale, expensive, or time-consuming project. Start with moderate and inexpensive changes that carry a large impact, and over time, larger more capital-intensive modifications can be made such as solar panels or energy-efficient windows.

1. Use energy-efficient light bulbs. Make the switch to energy-efficient light bulbs to begin decreasing both your energy bill AND energy consumption. Traditional light bulbs transfer most of their energy as heat, which in turn is wasted energy that decreases the life span of your light bulbs. Compact fluorescent lights or CFLs are a popular choice for efficiency and improved life span.
2. Install motion sensors and light dimmers. With motion sensors the lights will remain off in the room until someone enters, providing maximum efficiency and cost savings. Another energy-saving option is installing dimmers on the lights throughout the dealership, allowing you to take advantage of natural sunlight whenever it is available.
3. Create a recycling program. If your current trash collection service also offers recycling collection this is a great opportunity to negotiate a deal for adding the additional service. If this is not an option with your current collection service, seek a low-cost option to compliment your existing service. Once your recycling bins arrive, make sure they are properly labeled and distributed in areas such as the copy room, break room, mailroom, etc. Make your employees aware of your recycling program; inform them of the locations of your recycling bins and what items should and should not be recycled.
4. Install “smart” thermostats. Wi-Fi enabled thermostats can be programmed in your showroom and offices to regulate the temperature and conserve energy when an area is not in use. They can be programmed to increase the temperature when everyone has left for the evening and decrease the temperature before everyone arrives in the morning. Over time in addition to energy savings, there will likely also be a decrease in the monthly cost of heating and cooling.