Porsche of San Antonio Scores Gold

First Porsche Dealership to be Awarded LEED Gold Certification

More than 110 years after Ferdinand Porsche developed the first electric vehicle, his commitment to environmental design lives on as Porsche of San Antonio earns the coveted Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold designation.

 

The Porsche of San Antonio facility is more than a pristine showroom displaying iconic models like the Porsche 911 and Boxster. Thanks to adherence to stringent green building guidelines and features like a solar panel roof, rainwater collection system and self-sustaining landscape, it is also a milestone for Porsche Cars North America.  Porsche of San Antonio is the first Porsche dealership to achieve LEED Gold certification.

 

Developed and regulated by the U.S. Green Building Council, LEED is a point-based rating system that provides building owners and operators a strict framework for implementing green building design, construction and operations solutions. There are four categories: LEED Certified (40-49 points); LEED Silver (50-59 points); LEED Gold (60-79 points); and LEED Platinum (80 points and above). All designations recognize facilities that conserve natural resources, are energy-efficient and provide a healthier space for occupants.

 

Sophisticated air control and lighting systems in the new Porsche of San Antonio dealership help regulate energy usage and reduce operating costs. The use of dual flush water closets and low-flow plumbing fixtures reduces water consumption. But small initiatives play a big role in the dealership's overall green strategy too. Employees are encouraged to replace bottled water, paper and plastic cups with re-usable thermoses. The cleaning crew uses all green products.

 

At the end of the day, implementing all of the sustainable measures increased building costs by just 2.5 percent. The incremental investment more than paid off as the new green features help the building use 46 percent less energy than a comparable traditional building. In addition, 10 percent of the facility's annual energy costs are offset by renewable energy generated on-site through a solar panel roof.

 

In addition to the long-term economic incentives, there are additional positive effects. One of the best results of the project is that Porsche of San Antonio is inspiring their customers, employees and community to act more sustainably every day.

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