Professional Carwash & Detailing

cars. “Not only can the right tire shiner increase extra service sales and customer satisfaction; it can grow profit margins as well, by eliminating costly chemical waste,” he said.

In addition to tire shiner, McBride also said operators on a budget should consider updating their carwash’s arches.

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“In many ways they’re the face of the
carwash,” McBride said. “That’s because
every customer drives under and through
the arches, one after another — all the way
down the tunnel.”
Many operators already use neon tubes
to draw attention to arches that apply
high-margin extra services, but McBride
suggested they also look into brandable

Green
modernity

Ryan Essenberg, chief operating officer of Tommy Carwash Systems, outlined ways in which operators can modernize their washes while staying green.

1. Use natural light. “Within commercial markets, one of the largest energy consuming devices is the lighting,” Essenberg explained. Choosing a carwash building that uses acrylic (structured sheet) materials allows natural daylight to come in and supplement energy-efficient fluorescent lighting in the tunnel. In this manner, carwashes can generally avoid even using lights during typical operating hours.

2. Gain heat through your roof.

Tommy Car Wash Systems is now using a roof system which allows for solar heat gain, Essenburg said, and reduces the need for a furnace. In the summertime, this system has louvered vents to allow for ample air exchange.

3. Capture rainwater. Operators can use gutters and downspouts to direct water towards the building where it can be captured and directed into the reclaim system, Essenburg said. This can reduce dependency on the local utility, as well as give you at least one reason to not feel so down on those rainy days!

4. Capture the sun in your canopies. Using solar panels on canopies that go above pay stations, vacuums and vending islands can reduce energy usage and also open up options for the operator to apply for federal, state and local renewable energy credits, Essenburg said. Tommy Car Wash Systems has already designed such a system, and also has created an analysis for operators who are interested in the technology.