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Since the majority of today's consumers consider the environment when making a purchase, today's CRE investors and owners often choose eco-friendly products for retail businesses, like drive-through, full-service car washes.
These options do more than attract environmentally aware drivers; they provide ways for the car wash's owner to reduce operating costs. For example, a water recycling system reduces monthly water usage and bills.
Before we review the types of eco-friendly improvements and systems currently available for car wash businesses, here are some statistics and data that are attracting investors.
Perhaps you remember the days when you would see neighbors washing their cars at home. Today, most vehicle owners have switched to the convenience and results provided by an automatic car wash.
Recent data found that the percentage of vehicle owners using car wash facilities rose from 50% in 1996 to 79% in 2021.
Today, this market is getting attention from CRE investors, especially those who prefer hands-on management. Demand is increasing, which has led to predictions that the market will see 100% growth by the year 2030.
By combining eco-friendly water recycling and cleaning products, together with investing in energy-efficient equipment, car wash investors can attract more customers while banking a higher ROI.
Since a typical car wash may use up to 120 gallons of water per vehicle, recycling this water has become mandatory in some states. Let's look at these systems first.
One of the biggest environmental concerns associated with car washes is the excessive use of water. Advanced water recycling systems manage this.
These systems collect, filter, and treat used water, reducing a typical car wash's usage by as much as 70% to 80%. This minimizes environmental impact while reducing water usage.
A typical water recycling/reclaim system is a standalone system designed to complement the car wash's main water system. Since they're separate, this means they can be repaired, serviced, and replaced easily.
While basic recycling systems use filters to clean water, newer systems are introducing high-tech features to improve performance and deliver cleaner, decontaminated water back to the main car wash system.
Recent technological developments have improved recycled water quality, including these three.
An investor/owner can improve the process by combining newer purification processes. For example, research has found that nanofilters and electrocoagulation work together well and produce an optimum result.
Car wash owners who choose ecologically friendly cleaning products will also win more customers and enjoy other benefits. Here's the latest on green car wash products.
A car wash that promotes its use of eco-friendly cleaning products does more than attract more customers. In addition to preserving local water supplies, a green car wash can often claim that its detergents help preserve expensive waxed and ceramic finishes.
Manufacturers of green car wash cleaning products may use several different “recipes,” such as these:
Wondering what types of car wash products to avoid? Detergents that contain nonylphenols and nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPs/NPEs) are harmful to aquatic life.
So are alkylphenols and their ethoxylates (APEs), chemicals used as surfactants in commercial detergents.
Another equally important factor for green-thinking investors and owners is lowering the amount of energy their car wash requires. Here are some strategies to consider.
While consumers admire businesses with renewable energy sources, such as solar panels, a car wash may not have the acreage or budget to install these. However, there are other effective ways to reduce energy consumption.
Installing motors with a National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) Premium label helps reduce electrical consumption.
Variable Frequency Drives or VFDs allow a car wash manager to adjust the power used by equipment to be adjusted to lower levels. VFDs gradually increase a motor's speed to meet particular car wash process requirements.
Today's VFDs can be programmed to run a particular motor at a precise rate of speed, which often lessens both mechanical and electrical stresses on expensive equipment.
LED lighting can do more than save energy; they can be installed and programmed to provide customers with an entertaining, colorful light show during the wash process.
LED lights can even celebrate holidays with color-themed shows that customers can videotape and share on their social media.
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