The National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) want new-car dealers to reduce their energy consumption through the Energy Star program.

As part of this effort, NADA and EPA are encouraging dealerships to complete a brief survey that will give them a benchmark to better compare the energy usage of dealerships across the country and allow certification of those dealerships that perform well. The survey asks dealers to share their yearly utility bills, square footage – inside and out – and different types of equipment used at the dealership.

NADA wants to benchmark the energy usage of at least 500 dealerships before it begins the Energy Star certification process.

To encourage participation, NADA has launched a new program called Energy Ally. Businesses, such as accounting, consulting and energy management firms, that assist at least five dealerships to complete the survey will be awarded a NADA Energy Ally designation. These contractors can use the recognition to market their services to other dealerships.

The NADA Convention and Expo, Feb. 8-11 in Orlando, Fla., will showcase hundreds of exhibitors whose products help meet the energy-saving goals of dealerships. Motion sensors for lights, timers for thermostats, heaters that run on used motor oil, solar arrays for heating water and gathering electricity and roof cooling devices are some of the products that will be on display at the convention.