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The water heater in your store is one of the most unnoticed energy users. The water heater can account for at least (more…)

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Automotive News Hosts Green Dealerships Webinar

Kudos to Automotive News for hosting a webinar on green dealerships.

One of the presenters was Pat Lobb, owner of Pat Lobb Toyota and Scion of McKinney, Texas. Mr. Lobb can deservedly claim the title of true industry thought leader and innovator as Pat Lobb Toyota and Scion is the first dealership to achieve LEED certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

While the initial first cost premium to set up was 5% to 7%, and the ROI is expected within three to five years – as they say in the MasterCard ads – the benefits to Lobb’s community, the environment, staff and reputation? – Priceless!

Lobb’s 56+ square foot/14+ acre facility is a verifiable poster child for green dealerships. Here are some of the key green features:

The Power of Landscaping - Above and Beyond Sheer Beauty

• The dealership faces east, allowing the hot sun to hit the rear of the building in the evening, and Japanese creeping ivy covers a “Green Wall” in the back, absorbing the heat.
• West and north panels covered in plants also absorb heat from the sun, keeping buildings cooler, and reducing energy use.
• The plants acts as biofilters
o Humidify dry air
o Adding oxygen to building surroundings
o Removes impurities from the air
• The dealership uses landscaping that is native to North Texas, such as buffalo grass.

Building Materials to Reduce Energy Use, Save Money, and Decrease Toxins

• Building material is comprise of an aluminum composite – 95% recycled aluminum
• Glass is “Low-E” - low emissivity – with a high ‘UV’ rating designed to maximize use of natural light to reduce interior lighting requirements
o Helps to control and moderate internal temperature
o Creates comfortable working environment with natural lights and views
o Entry portal made from special “no-lead” glass

Building Features in the Service Area

• High-speed overhead doors in the service area operate during the day to keep service department temperatures more consistent.
• After hours, a steel security door is closed over the high-speed doors.
• Heated in winter by burning waste oil collected from oil changes of customers’ vehicles.
• Remaining waste oil is sold to recyclers who use it to make plastics.

Lighting – More than Just Ambiance

Exterior Lighting Strategy

• Highest outside lighting levels concentration along property edges.
• A dual switching strategy allows lighting levels to be set back to security levels after reasonable marketing hours.
• 400W with a reflective backing versus 750W results in equal light with less wattage.

Interior Lighting Strategy

• Efficiency and emotion-creating elements are hallmarks of the dealership’s lighting design.
o T-5 fluorescent fixtures with electronic ballasts
o Metal Halide lighting simulate sunlight
o Light-Emitting Diode (LED) exit signs use 25% electricity

And a Water Strategy to Boot!

The dealership has its own 8,660 gallon water cistern.

• Captures water from condensation generated by 12 roof top A/Cs and 7 interior A/Cs, plus rain from a roof top collection system.
• Water is used to irrigate the landscaping.
o This landscaping is low in maintenance and uses little water. The irrigation system uses the underground "bubbler" watering system so the groundcover roots are watered, and less water evaporates into the air.
o It is the most efficient way to water any non-turf area, since the exact amount of water needed is delivered at or near plant roots.
o Benefits include design flexibility, healthier plants and the elimination of water run-off.

The Humble Car Wash – a Green Strategy there too

• The car wash is a “closed loop recycled system,” which recycles the water used in each wash.
• Also, a special system is being used to ionize the water in the car wash to eliminate having to blow dry each car.
• This system saves over 66% of the water normally lost in a traditional car wash and leaves a “spot-free” finish.

Education

In addition, Pat Lobb Toyota has earned LEED innovation points for its educational activities. Throughout the dealership, placards specify the “Eco-Elements” of each area. There is an educational area in the store displaying all of the “green” elements used to build the dealership.

Well done, Mr. Lobb!

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Be sure to check out the Automotive News Green Car Conference and Exhibition Center on Thursday, November 13, 2008 at the Diamond Center at Rock Financial Showplace in Novi, Michigan.

Get more detailed information here:
http://www.autonews.com/Assets/html/08_angc/

Phone: (313) 446-0485
Email: green@autonews.com

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