Okotoks GM Earth Energy Powered Dealership
A hybrid commercial building? Built by whom? A greenhouse operator? ...A forward-thinking municipality? Surprise, surprise!!
IT'S A GENERAL MOTORS CAR DEALER IN ALBERTA (OF ALL PLACES)!
Okotoks GM, 10 km south of Calgary, is driving the latest innovations in green building practices. The Chevrolet Buick GMC dealer has made a commitment to reducing its carbon footprint with a new, state-of-the-art, hybrid building that combines advanced green technologies with traditional backup systems. The green technologies include geothermal heating and air conditioning, solar panels, water conservation technologies, supplementary insulation and electrical efficiency.
Geothermal heating and cooling systems
By using the Earth as an energy reservoir, Okotoks GM, along with renewable energy specialists React Energy, designed and installed the vertical, closed-loop geothermal system for the new dealership. Geothermal technology lowers energy consumption during heating cycles by 25-50%, and during cooling periods by 25-30%.
The solar-powered Drake Landing subdivision is located in Okotoks; it is the first of its kind in North America. "The enjoyable part for me," says Edels, "is that we can look our customers in the eye and tell them that we have done everything possible to be good environmental citizens. We are anxious to show our buyers that, even though the auto industry is in the middle of a restructuring period, we are still responsible corporate citizens doing the right thing."
General Motors of Canada Limited offers more vehicles that get 7L/100 km (40mpg) or better highway fuel consumption than any other automaker. GM Canada has reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 42% since 1990, which is more than any other automaker with manufacturing facilities in Canada. Contact us to find out more about the GM Program Green by Design.
Solar panels provide electric power; in this case these heat the water used in our Car Wash
Tours
Dealership staff will happily provide tours of the hybrid building's green technologies for individuals or groups. To arrange a convenient tour time, call toll-free 1-888-758-1023. Visit our directions to Okotoks GM page for map and directions.
Proudly an Okotoks-based business for 30 years, Okotoks GM has been a strong financial supporter of the community and is now an exemplary environmental citizen. Not surprisingly, this conscientious company has an above-average number of long-term customers and employees due to a caring, family atmosphere.