MI Car Dealers Asked to Offer Energy Usage Information; Will They Take the Survey?

July 5, 2011 - PRLog -- DETROIT, M.I. – MI car dealers may be taking their own initiatives to ensure they are as efficient as possible with their energy levels, and the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) is asking dealers to help with a survey to better understand the areas that may need improvement.
The survey results will facilitate an analysis by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) which will be able to develop a 1-to-100 ENERGY STAR performance scale. This will be a useful tool for dealerships to compare what they use on average to what other dealerships locally or across the country are using.
For those MI car dealers and all others that score 75 or higher, they will be eligible for an ENERGY STAR designation. This will give the dealerships national and local recognition through NADA’s Energy Stewardship Initiative, which was launched in 2007 and has seen more than 800 dealerships reduce energy use by at least 10 percent and more annually.
NADA and the EPA are urging dealers to take the survey so the number will be as accurate as possible and will offer dealers the best information available for any planned changes.
“By joining this initiative and investing in energy efficiency, dealers across the country have shown their commitment to going green,” said NADA Chairman, Stephen W. Wade, in a NADA press release. “Improving the environment and reducing energy costs is a win-win.”
The rating is calculated based on the information that is provided such as building size, location, number of occupants, number of computers, etc. The rating system takes into account all of these figures before estimating how much energy the building would be using at the best and worst performance along with all other levels in between. Then, the actual data given will estimate where the dealer falls amongst all the other dealers.
The ENERGY STAR website offers MI car dealers and others looking for ways to increase efficiency by giving lists of how and what may be changed with four simple steps:
•   Step 1: Modify Procurement Language:
o   Add to the dealer/vendor contract wording that says only ENERGY STAR products will be accepted.
•   Step 2: Educate Vendors and Personnel
o   Keep everyone on the same page about benefits and other important information about saving energy.
•   Step 3: Choose ENERGY STAR Products to Purchase
o   ENERGY STAR has a list from heating and cooling to lighting and electronics that qualify.
•   Step 4: Estimate Potential Savings
o   With an ENERGY STAR calculator, all dealers may see their savings with their new or proposed changes.
There are many ways dealers may lower their energy usage, and NADA with EPA may believe that this survey will provide the necessary data to educate those who need more information. The survey is available for download online or visit NADA. The survey should be returned by July 15 with all responses kept confidential.
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[Source(s): NADA, Energy Star]