Lambert Auto Sales, Inc.

Claremont, New Hampshire

The owners of Lambert Auto Sales began their energy efficiency journey in January 2007 when the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) and ENERGY STAR announced the Energy Stewardship Initiative. The program is designed to assist auto dealers in reducing energy costs by encouraging them to take the ENERGY STAR Challenge and reduce energy consumption by at least 10%.

The first step was to take a Web-based course on the use of ENERGY STAR's free Portfolio Manager software which enables users to measure and track energy consumption. By evaluating their energy usage, Lambert Auto learned that lighting upgrades would have the greatest impact and the quickest pay back, making it the best starting point. Lambert also learned through ENERGY STAR that Public Service of New Hampshire (PSNH) could provide assistance. PSNH did a lighting energy audit, presented an upgrade plan and advised Lambert Auto of their program to reimburse one-half of the total cost.

By July 2007, lighting upgrades in the main showroom building were complete. The T12 fluorescents were replaced with energy-efficient T8 lamps. Shop ceilings were painted white to provide additional illumination and compensate for the lower wattage lamps. According to John Lambert, the savings quickly paid for the retrofit. In addition, several incandescent lights were replaced with ENERGY STAR qualified compact fluorescent lights in the 4,000 square-foot warehouse. These changes resulted in an 8% decrease in overall electric usage.

In late 2007, Lambert Auto added a second waste oil furnace to the service bay area. This area is part of the nearly 7,500 square-foot main building and is now entirely heated with waste oil. In addition to being energy efficient, it has the added environmental benefit of recycling waste oil from the service department.

Planning for an expansion of the showroom and shop areas is underway. Energy-efficient glass and insulation are among the plans being made, and the company is researching new and recycled materials and available tax incentives. Other planned renovations include the installation of ENERGY STAR qualified HVAC equipment, photocells to control the timing of exterior lighting, light-emitting diode (LED) exit signs, occupancy sensors and low-flow faucets in the bathrooms.

"We have relied heavily on the technical support available from ENERGY STAR," Lambert says. "We have attended their free classes on-line and talked with them on the phone. They have been a big help. We now realize that sometimes we need to spend money to save money and help the environment."

In the last year, Lambert Auto Sales has reduced their energy costs by nearly $1,200. They are saving over 8,800 kWh of electricity. This prevents the annual emission of seven tons of carbon dioxide which is the equivalent of CO2 emissions from the electricity use of about one typical home.

Contact Information:

John Lambert, President
5 River Road
Claremont, NH 03743
Phone: (603) 543-0188
www.lambertauto.com Exit ENERGY STAR

*Questions Contact
Hannah Rheaume, Administrative Assistant
Phone: (603) 543-0188