You May Not Know It, But You Want It.
You’re probably familiar with Energy Star ratings on household appliances. What you might not know is that buildings can also be Energy Star rated and that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recently developed a new 1-100 Energy Star score specifically for US franchise new car dealers.
To earn the Energy Star, a dealership’s building must score 75 or higher – indicating that the building performs better than at least 74 percent of all dealerships nationwide. Earning the EPA’s Energy Star certification means your building is energy efficient.
The Energy Star certification also means your dealership is:
- using an average of 35 percent less energy
- paying lower utility bills
- responsible for 35 percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions
- more valuable (studies demonstrate higher resale valuations), and
- preferred by individuals/consumers who believe companies must act to help social and environmental issues (that’s 90% of Gen Z).
The bottom line – an Energy Star certification boosts a dealer’s bottom line and makes the dealership more attractive to the growing number of environmentally conscious car buyers.
Any dealer can apply to receive certification. A building’s score must be verified by a licensed third party and must be re-verified annually to maintain certification.
Sprocket Power can assist dealers with applying for Energy Star certification. For information, contact Maria Fields at mfields@sprocketpower.com.
Note: Sprocket Power and the Greater NY Automobile Dealers Association will be conducting a “Green Transition for NYC Dealers” workshop in early spring that will include discussions about Energy Star certification, as well as NYC’s Climate Mobilization Act and Federal, NYS and NYC renewable energy incentive programs. We will alert you to the date and time of the workshop when plans are finalized.
