The Federal Tax Credits Blog

Posts Tagged ‘environment’

Carbon fiber hoods are known for two things – being lightweight and looking sleek! The rigidness of carbon fiber car hoods is yet another reason to install one. This performance addition is normally overlooked. Masters of the carbon fiber hood process are DG Motorsports, VIS, Vfiber, Carbon Creations, JSP, and the Seibon carbon fiber hood company. They know exactly what it takes to weave strands of carbon fiber to produce the best carbon fiber hoods in the world.

When considering weight, carbon fiber hoods definitely weigh less the stock OEM hoods. Factory car hoods are usually made of steel and are heavy; for race standards. 40 to 50 pounds can be taken off the total weight of a car when a carbon fiber car hood is installed. One can expect relatively faster start times with the installation of a carbon hood.

Improved handling is an additional plus of installing carbon fiber hoods. Weight near the front wheel of the car is reduced because of the carbon fiber material; but the rigidness and strength is kept. This increases the car’s balance and enables an easy drive experience.

Further looks and performance boasts can be achieved with a custom carbon fiber hood. Vents can be added to carbon fiber car hoods to increase air flow to the engine, intake, or intercooler. Aerodynamics can be augmented with creative body designs and curvature.

When looking at carbon fiber hoods, definitely pay attention to whether or not a layer of UV protection is built in or not. Also, determine what grade of carbon fiber materials have been used to manufacture the carbon fiber car hood in question. You want only grade A carbon fiber strands and the best carbon fiber weaving and composites to make up your hood.

Several options are available for a custom carbon fiber hood. One option is to go with an EVO style hood that has vents and aggressive styling additions that surpass the OEM factory hood. Color is another feature that can be customized. A red carbon fiber hood and a silver carbon fiber hood are the most requested colors of carbon hoods. Adding a carbon fiber hood scoop or multiple vents are some more ways to customize a carbon fiber hood. Lastly, a popular detail are carbon fiber hood pins to finish off the look!

Carbon fiber car hoods are definitely not cheap – custom carbon fiber hoods, included. Cheap carbon fiber hoods are around though, especially for popular import cars like the Scion TC or Acura Integra. The import scene most likely saw the first carbon hood on an Acura in the form of an Integra carbon fiber hood.

Also, the fact that carbon fiber hoods are manufactured with CARBON FIBER is great, as well. An added level of style is attached to the car with this great material. If you want to get the show car look or actually want to benefits of lighter weight, better aerodynamics and handling, carbon fiber hoods are where it’s at.

The Year America Lurched Left

In our first editorial after Barack Obama’s historic victory in November 2008, we acknowledged that “we were witnessing an event in which all…

Alex Jones – Lord Monckton reports live on text of treaty 2/2

Question: What car do you think was the best you ever owned, in terms of function, fuel efficiency, design and price?

Just been thinking of some of the previously manufactured cars that really were priced right and efficient. Of the cars I have owned, my 1995 Ford Escort Wagon was probably the best investment I ever made in a car. Got over 300K miles on it with no problems whatsoever. Great efficiency, could hold a lot of stuff, no mechanical problems, easy to clean seats and floor, and great resale. Wish I had that car again!

It was so efficient,I ended up having to pay back part of the mileage credit on my taxes…I was working a sales job, and got more out of that car than they figured was possible.

The other car I would like to have, is an old Volvo 240 sedan. The only reason I have never owned one is that I live in rural Michigan, and there are no service places that can work on it. But I have friends in Sweden that have driven that model for up to 25 years!

Answer: One great car I had was a 1993 Chevrolet Lumina, all out comfortable, inexpensive, and even passed california smog without cat convertor replacement or any major repairs with over 330,000 miles on the engine. Transmission is a weak spot however.Finally blew the tranny.

My ’92 corolla was free, very good on gas , not as comfortable as the lumina, but has ell over 300, 000 miles as well. Tune-up parts are a little more expensive, but still reasonable.

Most fun and reliable, and even decent on gas on the freeway, was my ’79 camaro with the 305 v-8. Keep your foot out of the accelerator and it would do great on gas, especially on the freeway and have fun doing it.

DEC offers tips for safely using wood stoves

State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Pete Grannis recently issued a news release reminding New Yorkers to be safe when burning wood in fireplaces or wood stoves. “While many still heat their homes with natural gas or oil, there has been a recent resurgence in the popularity of wood stoves,” Grannis said.

Propane Motor Fuel Tax Credit

Question: Can I deduct the cost of installing a wood-burning stove on my federal taxes?

I recently installed a wood-burning stove in my home, and I can’t find a tax form that allows me to deduct the cost…I thought there were credits for installing more energy efficient appliances, but all I can find is a form that would allow me to deduct the cost of wind-energy or solar-energy products….can I deduct the stove?

Answer: For the purpose of the tax credits, a wood-burning stove is not considered more energy efficient. Yes, it costs less to heat the home with them, but they still consume a lot of fuel (wood) to heat the home.

Greening Martha : A case study: how to make a plan for energy efficiency at your house

Larry Hepler, known to most Islanders as a furniture maker, is also the owner of Energy Conservation Strategies (ECS). ECS performs home energy audits and assists homeowners in developing game plans for systematic and cost-effective energy efficiency improvements.

Montana State and Federal Tax Credits

Question: What Are Some Pros and Cons of Different Organizations that Assist With Purchasing Renewable Energy Credits?

There are two organizations that I have been considering: 1) LiveNeutral (www.liveneutral.org); and 2) Native Energy (www.nativeenergy.com).

Some issues that I am considering are: 1) non-profit vs. for-profit; 2) credits purchased from the Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX) vs. credits created from renewable energy sources; 3) “imaginary” market vs. real-world projects; and 4) managed by educational institution vs. managed by Native American organization. Please feel free to suggest additional criteria.

Also, if there is another organization that you think I should consider, please let me know, and please provide your reasoning for the suggestion.

Thanks!

Answer: There is a table from the Dept. of Energy that compares various vendors and their costs. See:

http://www.eere.energy.gov/greenpower/markets/certificates.shtml?page=1

In effect, you are donating money to fund alternative energy sources (wind, solar, hydro, biogas) that subsequently feed into the nat’l power grid.

Since you are donating money, you might as well get a charitable deducation on your income taxes. The nativeenergy.com site won’t give a definitive answer on this question, but suggests you can do it.

So go with a group which is a charitable non-profit organization that clearly states donations are tax deductible. Look at your yearly electricity bills, multiply kilowatt hours by 2 cents and donate that much.

Unlike the carbon offset credits that are often nebulous and sometimes outright fraudulent, renewable Energy Credits (RECs) trace back to definite generating capacity that can be (and usually are) audited to make sure they are above board. (The US gov’t buys RECs, so any egregious fraud tends to get uncovered quickly.)

I think you are taking the right approach to renewable energy, and these projects will stand the test of time regardless of how the global warming issue pans out.

Despite all the bashing of the US, the graph at:

http://www.eea.europa.eu/pressroom/newsreleases/GHG2006-en

shows how the EU-25 don’t come close to meeting their Kyoto promises.

The non-Kyoto country, the US, in 2006 DECREASED CO2 emissions in by 1.4%.

I guess that signing Kyoto and then reneging somehow makes countries feel noble and good about themselves. But buying RECs that actually do something doesn’t count.

Special Report: America’s route to recovery

When Bob Hagan was a boy people hereabouts equated the coke dust they swept off their doorsteps each day with opportunity, for it came from the steel mills that built this city.

Copenhagen Births World Gov’t Framework Despite Fallout Over Science Fraud