Home > October, 2009
The energy bill that has reached the President of the United States has finally turned into law by virtue of President Bush’s signature. Said law includes a provision that gives consumers incentives and tax privileges. Moreover, the greatest stir is the hybrid tax credit.
Hybrid tax credit allows consumers to slash tax bills by $1,700 to $3,000 depending on the hybrid model. Hybrids that are capable of saving the most fuel will be given greater tax privileges. However, the consumers covered by said provision are only those who are going to purchase hybrids from January 1 and onwards. According to David Friedman of Union of Concerned Scientists “It’s not a home run, but a good, solid double.”
Said legislation is aimed at saving energy and reducing air pollution. Hybrids contribute to the aim of saving gas by combining electric motor with the internal combustion engine. The mentioned legislation is also applicable to the new generation of fuel-saving diesel cars. The tax privilege is to expire at the end of 2009. However, for some hybrids, the privilege is expected to linger. For every automaker, tax breaks are only available to a total of 60,000 vehicles.
In the present time, consumers get a $2,000 income-tax deduction for purchasing a hybrid. Deductions are due to fall to $500 next year. Tax credit can also be availed of by consumers. Compared to deductions, tax credits are more valuable. This is because credit represents a dollar-for-dollar cut in the taxpayer’s bill.
In regard to said legislation, Toyota is aiming to sell 100,000 Prius hybrids this year. Martha Voss, spokesperson of Toyota, says: “Hybrids only account for 1% (of new vehicle) sales, so there is still a need.” She further noted that Prius could qualify for at least a $2,400 credit. It can be recalled that Toyota is one of the giant names that prioritizes fuel-saving. This is manifested in the manufacturing of Toyota Prius auto parts, which are incorporated in its hybrid vehicle.
Ford Motor Co. is also making way for its three additional hybrids. These hybrids will also benefit from the legislation.
Jennifer Dylan
http://www.articlesbase.com/automotive-articles/a-cut-on-hybrids-tax-60674.html
Plasma TV vs. LCD TV
You know you want to buy a flat-screen TV but you don’t know if a plasma TV or an LCD TV would be your best choice.
This article explains the differences between plasma versus LCD TVs, then shows you how to get the best price for a plasma or LCD TV.
Plasma TV
A plasma TV screen consists of millions of multi-colored gas-filled cells. When electricity passes through the cells they light up and produce a picture.
Plasma TV screens have a much higher resolution than tube TV screens. In fact, the picture is so clear it’s almost like watching a scene through a window.
Screen sizes range from 42″ to 65″ wide and are 3″ to 4″ thick.
LCD TV
LCD (light crystal display) TV screens are made up of a thin layer of liquid crystals sandwiched between two glass plates. When an electricity is sent through the crystals an array of tiny multi-colored pixels light up to create a picture.
LCD TV screens are thinner and lighter than plasma screens. They are the most screens for computers, and are quickly gaining popularity as TV screens.
LCD TV screens are anywhere from 1/4″ to 4″ thick and 2″ to 65″ wide.
Plasma vs. LCD Features
Picture Quality
When it comes to which type of TV screen is sharper and shows more detail, plasma TVs have a slight edge over LCD TVs, though LCD TVs are catching up.
Plasma TVs are also slightly better when it comes to viewing angle – how far you can sit to one side of a TV screen before picture quality is affected.
Screen Life
Screen life is the number of hours a TV provides before the picture begins to fade. Plasma TVs have a screen life of about 30,000 to 60,00 hours, depending on the make and model, while LCD TV’s have a screen life of 60,000 hours or more.
Plasma TVs are also subject to “burn in.” This occurs when a TV displays a still image long enough for a ghost of that image to be burned into the screen. LCD TVs do not have this problem.
HD TV
Both plasma and LCD TVs display HD (high definition) signals for a sharper, more three dimensional picture. LCD TVs, however, have a slightly higher resolution (more screen pixels) then plasma TVs.
Video Games
Plasma and LCD TVs are both great for video gaming, however because of plasma TV’s tendency toward screen burn in, an LCD TV is the better choice if you play a lot of video games.
Portability
LCD TVs are thinner and lighter than plasma TVs, making them easier to move and easier to mount on a wall.
Plasma vs LCD TV prices
When it comes to which type of TV gives you the most bang for the buck, it depends on what you’re looking for.
If you’re looking for a large-screen TV – 42″ or larger – plasma TVs are currently cheaper than than similar-sized LCD TVs. When I recently compared prices on 42″ TVs, the cheapest plasma TV was $999, while the cheapest LCD TV was $1,367.
When it comes to mid-size TVs, I couldn’t find plasma TVs smaller than 42.” The cheapest 32″ LCD TV I found was $619, while the cheapest 27″ LCD TV was $550.
Visit the http://TheSatelliteTVGuide.com to get more information, to compare prices, and to get consumer ratings for plasma TVs and LCD Tvs.
ryan@thesatellitetvguide.com
http://www.articlesbase.com/cable-and-satellite-tv-articles/plasma-tv-vs-lcd-tv-which-is-better-47972.html
Does a tv consume the same electricity when it is in standby mode compared to when it is fully on
No, it consumes very much less. The exact amount depends on the TV. Some TVs go down to under 2W on standby, compared to 70 or more when working. But some older ones can use quite a bit in standby. I came across one that used nearly 20W.
You can buy a meter (Lidl used to have one, and I think Conrad still has. Don’t know about Maplin) for about a tenner (or you can borrow one from a friend) that plugs into the mains, and you plug the TV into the meter, which then displays the exact amount of power being drawn.
Incidently, the whole ’standby power’ debate dates from when Sky introduced its digital service. They didn’t want people to keep using cards after if they stopped paying a subscription, so they send out a "killer" signal to invalidate outdated cards. To stop people from missing the signal, they they want people to keep digibox switched on the whole time. So a Sky Digibox consumes almost exactly the same amount when in standby or running. After all, it’s not really in standby.
About 7 cents per kilowatt-hour in China.
Not clear about the average costs.
on a basic step by step way can someone list the parts i would need by name and possibly list what ‘plugs’ into what (think knee bone connected to the thigh bone). I would like something in my garden that I can power household items into like the kettle, tv, tools, pc’s etc to reduce my bills. I’m happy for links explaining as I’ve tried to ‘google’ it but not found what I’m looking for…
many thanks..
An electric kettle is a high power unit, so needs a big solar panel and a stack of batteries. These are going to cost a bundle of cash. A great deal depends where you are located – you need a good position where you can mount the panel facing south.
You will need solar panels, connected to a charge controller, connected to a deep discharge or leisure battery, connected to an iinverter. The further North you are, the llarger the panel you will need. For greater electrical loads, you will need larger batteries and inverters. In the UK, I guess that a solar panel, plus battery plus and inverter to run the equipment you describe will cost over £2000.
on a basic step by step way can someone list the parts i would need by name and possibly list what ‘plugs’ into what (think knee bone connected to the thigh bone). I would like something in my garden that I can power household items into like the kettle, tv, tools, pc’s etc to reduce my bills. I’m happy for links explaining as I’ve tried to ‘google’ it but not found what I’m looking for…
many thanks..
An electric kettle is a high power unit, so needs a big solar panel and a stack of batteries. These are going to cost a bundle of cash. A great deal depends where you are located – you need a good position where you can mount the panel facing south.
You will need solar panels, connected to a charge controller, connected to a deep discharge or leisure battery, connected to an iinverter. The further North you are, the llarger the panel you will need. For greater electrical loads, you will need larger batteries and inverters. In the UK, I guess that a solar panel, plus battery plus and inverter to run the equipment you describe will cost over £2000.
Which would produce safer energy?
Why not both?
it usually has to do with offshore drilling or the oil in the middle east…why isn’t this technology being developed more?
Oil companies have politicians in their MySpace. They’re friends with benefits. Lots and lots of benefits.
Anyone will better understanding would be greatly appreciated; my husband and I live in a entirely electric (no gas) home, and I’m trying to find ways to cut down on our electric bill. We cannot, at this time, afford new appliances, and obviously we cannot unplug some of our appliances when not used (deep freezer, refrigerator). I try to limit the amount of laundry we do, but don’t know some things- would it be more efficient to primarily use toaster oven and microwave vs. oven (of course, depending on amount of time), or turn off computer (I’ve been told it takes more power to stat and stop than let run idle), unplug small appliances (cable boxes and alarm clocks) that have a constant display time, etc…
We try to keep the temp at a regular not adjusting if possible (1200 sq. ft, 2 bed, but last month’s bill of $400 is pushing our budget limits.
Any ideas?
Older model freezers use up LOTS of electricity.
Could you do away with the need for it and use your refrigerator’s freezer?
That would save a lot.
Also, your computer should have a power-saving setting when not in use.
Small appliances like clocks and such don’t really use that much power.
Your furnace and water heater use the most.
Try turning down the thermostats and bundling up.
If no one is home during the day for say, 8hrs, turn the furnace thermostat
all the way down,
but if your just going shopping or something,
just turn it down slightly.
Otherwise it will have to run longer to get the temperature back up to "comfortable."
Use your fireplace if you have one.
Also, check your insulation and weatherstripping around the house.
Thick drapes over your windows will keep a lot of the cold from coming in the house.
Best of luck.
Anyone will better understanding would be greatly appreciated; my husband and I live in a entirely electric (no gas) home, and I’m trying to find ways to cut down on our electric bill. We cannot, at this time, afford new appliances, and obviously we cannot unplug some of our appliances when not used (deep freezer, refrigerator). I try to limit the amount of laundry we do, but don’t know some things- would it be more efficient to primarily use toaster oven and microwave vs. oven (of course, depending on amount of time), or turn off computer (I’ve been told it takes more power to stat and stop than let run idle), unplug small appliances (cable boxes and alarm clocks) that have a constant display time, etc…
We try to keep the temp at a regular not adjusting if possible (1200 sq. ft, 2 bed, but last month’s bill of $400 is pushing our budget limits.
Any ideas?
Older model freezers use up LOTS of electricity.
Could you do away with the need for it and use your refrigerator’s freezer?
That would save a lot.
Also, your computer should have a power-saving setting when not in use.
Small appliances like clocks and such don’t really use that much power.
Your furnace and water heater use the most.
Try turning down the thermostats and bundling up.
If no one is home during the day for say, 8hrs, turn the furnace thermostat
all the way down,
but if your just going shopping or something,
just turn it down slightly.
Otherwise it will have to run longer to get the temperature back up to "comfortable."
Use your fireplace if you have one.
Also, check your insulation and weatherstripping around the house.
Thick drapes over your windows will keep a lot of the cold from coming in the house.
Best of luck.