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For Bill McDaniels the automobile business is a way of life. Part of the auto scene for nearly 50 years, today he owns McDaniels Subaru in Columbia, SC, and five additional dealerships. Over the last 10 years of his tenure, McDaniels has developed a strong environmental philosophy that extends to his Subaru facility and its operations.
“…It is a tremendous task to take on,” McDaniels says of his eco-friendly efforts, “but the rewards are wonderful knowing we are reducing our environmental footprint as well as reducing our power bills.”
How much of a reduction? “I would say it has reduced our power bill by at least 40%,” he reported.
He recently shared about the efficient building practices that helped him slash utilities and ultimately led McDaniels Subaru to be the first Eco-Friendly Retailer in South Carolina.
Building practices
Serving as general contractor for the new McDaniels Subaru facility, McDaniels incorporated a large amount of insulation in the walls as well as LED lot lighting. With three sides of the building primarily windows, energy efficient glass was another important addition, says McDaniels.
“You can do it really cost effectively now,” he says of sustainable building practices. “It’s surprising because it used to be there was quite an up-charge to accomplish the buildings that we have today.” McDaniels credits this change to more vendors and a good selection of products.
Inside McDaniels Subaru
McDaniels’ green philosophy extends beyond building practices to internal operations. He encourages associates to separate waste and be aware of the weather to use less water on already drought tolerant grass.
Inside the customer lounge, green activities continue with eco-friendly coffee cups and water bottle recycling. Overall, McDaniels reports hearing positive feedback from customers about these and other efforts, and he’s happy with their approval.
Advice for retailers
For retailers considering new construction, McDaniels recommends the following items:
- LED lighting
- Efficient air conditioning system
- Low-E glass
He also suggests retailers “pack as much insulation as you can into the walls” and include a cool roof “system with the white membrane, which actually reflects the sunlight and helps tremendously on the power bill.”
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