Each month, as part of this newsletter, I will continue to share with you my ideas that may work for you as you strive to be more environmentally sustainable.

Roles and Responsibilities of the

Energy Efficiency Specialist

The Energy Efficiency Specialist, who should be a member of the Green Team, at a Subaru retailer has a vital role in ensuring that the retail facility operates as energy-efficiently as possible. Here are some specific responsibilities:

1. Energy Audits: Conducting thorough audits of the retailer's energy usage to identify areas where energy is being wasted. This involves examining lighting, HVAC systems, appliances, and machinery.

2. Efficiency Plans: Developing and implementing comprehensive energy efficiency plans based on the findings from the audits. These plans may include recommendations such as switching to LED lighting, using programmable thermostats, and improving insulation.

3. Energy-Saving Solutions: Identifying and installing energy-saving devices and technologies, such as motion sensor lights, energy-efficient windows, and smart energy management systems.

4. Monitoring and Tracking: Continuously monitoring the retailer's energy consumption to ensure that energy-saving measures are effective. This includes tracking energy usage patterns and calculating savings to measure the impact of implemented solutions. For Subaru retailers, tracking utility usage patterns with ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager provides a considerable advantage.

5. Employee Training: Educating employees about energy-saving practices and encouraging them to adopt these practices in their daily routines. This might include simple actions like turning off lights and equipment when not in use.

6. Reporting and Communication: Providing regular reports on energy usage and savings to management. Communicating the benefits of energy efficiency initiatives to all stakeholders, including staff and customers.

7. Sustainable Practices: Promoting and implementing other sustainable practices within the retail facility, such as reducing water usage and supporting green initiatives.

8. Collaboration: Working closely with other members of the Green Team and external partners to stay updated on the latest energy-efficient technologies and best practices.

By fulfilling these responsibilities, the Energy Efficiency Specialist helps the retailer reduce its energy consumption, lower costs, and minimize its environmental footprint.

Next month we will provide Roles and Initiatives of other Green Team Members. Do you want to provide additional responsibilities for the Energy Efficiency Specialist? E-mail me at chuck@greendealersupport.com

We hope that you have found this information useful. We want to learn what your Subaru retail facility is doing in the area of having an Energy Efficiency Specialist. Be sure to include pictures whenever possible. Please reply to this e-mail with your information.

Wilsonville Subaru -- Wilsonville, OR

Reusable Mirror Hang Tags

Wilsonville Subaru, in Wilsonville, OR, uses an environmentally friendly solution to all those paper mirror hang tags and paper key tags that get tossed away on a daily basis in the service department. The retailer utilizes the GR-78 Mirror Tag System, which provides an eco-friendly/reusable numbered hang tag for the vehicle mirror, along with a matching reusable tag for the vehicle's keys. Each tag can be inscribed with the customer's name, which can later be removed so that the tags are readily available for multiple future uses.

Say goodbye to wasteful single-use tags and embrace a sustainable solution that showcases your commitment to the environment. Taking such action not only saves you money but also resonates with environmentally conscious customers, thereby enhancing brand loyalty.

The mirror tags hang in an easily relocatable box, to make it readily accessible anywhere in the service department. The key tags are located in a tray at the front of the box.

Automatic car wash vs. hand wash -- how many gallons (and $$) can your retail facility save? According to Earth911, an automatic car wash, on average, uses 15-85 gallons of water per vehicle without water conservation equipment. Sensorex states that a tunnel car wash, however, can use up to 120 gallons of water per vehicle. Per NCSWash, hand washing a vehicle can use up to 140 gallons of water per vehicle, especially without water-saving techniques such as a hose with a shut-off valve when not actively in use.

The savings of an automatic car wash can increase dramatically if you are using reclaimed/recycled water, using 8-70 gallons per vehicle, according to Earth911. That certainly cuts down on utility expense with less wastewater released back into the environment. Using a reclaimed water system reduces reliance on fresh water from your municipal water supply, with the added bonus of avoiding fluctuating prices or scarcity. Your local streams and rivers will thank you due to the fact that less chemicals and pollutants are being released into the community water system. Be sure to advertise your eco-friendly reclaimed water car wash to attract customers who value sustainability.

It's never too soon to start thinking about Earth Day 2025, coming up on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. The theme for 2025 is "Our Power, Our Planet." How green will you be in 2025? Let us know what actions you plan to take in 2025 by replying to this e-mail. We look forward to hearing about your endeavors.

Many of you post your Earth Day activities on social media. We peruse social media regularly to try to keep up with your "green" endeavors, and we are regularly impressed with what we see. Congratulations and keep up the good work! You just might find your retail facility featured in one of our upcoming newsletters since we plan to highlight Earth Day activities throughout the year. If there is an activity of which you are especially proud, please give us a "heads up" by replying to this e-mail and include the appropriate links to your social media postings or to your web site.

Green Dealer Support neither endorses nor promotes any particular product or company. We are merely offering an example of what is available, should you decide to move forward with any information you read about in this newsletter.