Today Bloomberg published an interesting article about economics of state incentives for filmmakers in order to attract them to a particular state. The subsidies began in Louisiana in 1992 and today are offered by 42 states.
Read the whole story here
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Sustainable Residential Architecture
Take a look at this amazing example of sustainable residential architecture and interior design:
http://www.flixxy.com/apartment-transformation.htm
http://www.flixxy.com/apartment-transformation.htm
Sunday, April 11, 2010
America's future in Chinese hands
The fundamental shift is happening right now in the US economy: consumers started spending less and saving more. The US economy has to adjust to this new reality: less new cars, smaller and simpler houses. Currently, this drop in spending is compensated by the stimulus package. But what is going to happen when the US government withdraws its life support for the economy. If nothing changes the economy obviously will plunge into the new (or postponed) recession.
The only America's hope is export- currently the US economy is self-centric, just 10% of GDP is export-based (for Germany it is more than 40%). If the US economy will be able to substitute internal consumption by external one - it can be saved. The problem is the size of this increase: export should increase from 10% of GDP to 15% of GDP (50% increase!) and willingness of other countries to increase their internal consumption. Such as Europe is still in recession the only America's hope is China. That is why Obama's administration puts so much pressure on China to loose (appreciate) yuan, which automatically increase China's import. However are emergency markets big enough to digest extra $700 billions annually?
The only America's hope is export- currently the US economy is self-centric, just 10% of GDP is export-based (for Germany it is more than 40%). If the US economy will be able to substitute internal consumption by external one - it can be saved. The problem is the size of this increase: export should increase from 10% of GDP to 15% of GDP (50% increase!) and willingness of other countries to increase their internal consumption. Such as Europe is still in recession the only America's hope is China. That is why Obama's administration puts so much pressure on China to loose (appreciate) yuan, which automatically increase China's import. However are emergency markets big enough to digest extra $700 billions annually?
Friday, April 2, 2010
Government of Canada terminated ecoENERGY Retrofit Program
Effective March 31, 2010, the ecoENERGY Retrofit - homes program is no longer accepting bookings for pre-retrofit evaluations. This is the second important program terminated in 2 months- in February 2010 the Government terminated Home Renovation Tax Credit program.
While the Government is obviously trying to balance books, both of these steps are pretty shortsighted. In long run they decrease tax revenue by rerouting renovation and home improvement projects to cash. Not to say about environment.
While the Government is obviously trying to balance books, both of these steps are pretty shortsighted. In long run they decrease tax revenue by rerouting renovation and home improvement projects to cash. Not to say about environment.
Monday, January 25, 2010
My New Blog: Solar Technologies
Such as I have developed recently significant interest in solar photovoltaic technologies (see my previous posts on Photovoltaics and House, benefits of Investments in Photovoltaics and about Ontario Feed In Tariff) I decided to spin off this topic and started a new blog - Solar Technologies.
The new blog will target solar technology and its practical implementation (e.g. Solar Feed In Tariff), while this blog will keep focusing on econometrics and sustainability.
The new blog will target solar technology and its practical implementation (e.g. Solar Feed In Tariff), while this blog will keep focusing on econometrics and sustainability.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Photovoltaic Panels and Your House
In previous posting we have discussed the investment aspect of solar photovoltaics. In this article we will talk about photovoltaic systems and house. We will see that installing photovoltaic panels on your house not only increases resale value of your home without increasing property taxes, but it may protect your roof, help to reduce your energy bill, and be a great selling point for your house. Not to say that they will actively demonstrate your green attitude.
Does PV add to the Resale Value of my home?
Based on US data one can conclude: yes, PV does add to the house value. Research published in the Appraisal Journal concluded that “the increase in appraisal value for a home is about twenty (20) times the annual reduction in operating costs due to energy efficiency measures” (Nevin and Watson, "Evidence of Rational Market Valuations for Home Energy Efficiency," Appraisal Journal, 1998).
According to a study by the National Appraisal Institute, a PV system will add $10-$20 to the value of your home for every dollar saved over the course of the year. For instance, if your system generates $2,000/year, it would typically add $20,000-$40,000 to your home's value.
Does PV increase my property taxes?
It may in some jurisdictions, but not in Ontario. The Ontario Ministry of Finance has confirmed recently that there will be NO property tax implications resulting from installing small renewable energy systems, including solar electric and solar thermal systems.
Thus, installing photovoltaic system for Ontario homeowners is a unique home improvement that generates stable income without property tax implications.
Does it impact my roof?
Yes. A PV system shadows the covered part of the roof and protects it from UV, which in combination with water is the primary source of asphalt shingle degradation. Thus, installing a PV system will protect roof materials on southern parts of the roof (which experience direct hit from the sun) and will extend your roof's service life.
Will it reduce my energy bill?
A properly installed PV system may reduce your energy bill by keeping your home cooler in the summer and warmer in winter. A PV system shadows the covered (southern) part of the roof and and reduces the heat gain on the roof surface, in doing so it decreases the heat transfer in the attic during summertime, lowering your A/C bill. In wintertime, the narrow distance between the solar panel and roof may work as additional thermal insulation, in turn reducing your heating bill.
Green Attitude
You will be reducing the carbon footprint, meanwhile also contributing to a cleaner Earth. With increasing global warming awareness, you will demonstrate to yourself, your kids, your friends and your neighbours that you truly care about the environment.
The solar photovoltaic system is a great investment and may be a great selling point for your house. While helping the environment does not add up to much financial gain in a real estate contract, giving the buyer this peace of mind coupled with steady income without increasing property taxes, extended roof's service life and reduced energy bill certainly would assure them of increased equity for years to come.
To learn more about solar installations visit Solar PV Installation.
Does PV add to the Resale Value of my home?
Based on US data one can conclude: yes, PV does add to the house value. Research published in the Appraisal Journal concluded that “the increase in appraisal value for a home is about twenty (20) times the annual reduction in operating costs due to energy efficiency measures” (Nevin and Watson, "Evidence of Rational Market Valuations for Home Energy Efficiency," Appraisal Journal, 1998).
According to a study by the National Appraisal Institute, a PV system will add $10-$20 to the value of your home for every dollar saved over the course of the year. For instance, if your system generates $2,000/year, it would typically add $20,000-$40,000 to your home's value.
Does PV increase my property taxes?
It may in some jurisdictions, but not in Ontario. The Ontario Ministry of Finance has confirmed recently that there will be NO property tax implications resulting from installing small renewable energy systems, including solar electric and solar thermal systems.
Thus, installing photovoltaic system for Ontario homeowners is a unique home improvement that generates stable income without property tax implications.
Does it impact my roof?
Yes. A PV system shadows the covered part of the roof and protects it from UV, which in combination with water is the primary source of asphalt shingle degradation. Thus, installing a PV system will protect roof materials on southern parts of the roof (which experience direct hit from the sun) and will extend your roof's service life.
Will it reduce my energy bill?
A properly installed PV system may reduce your energy bill by keeping your home cooler in the summer and warmer in winter. A PV system shadows the covered (southern) part of the roof and and reduces the heat gain on the roof surface, in doing so it decreases the heat transfer in the attic during summertime, lowering your A/C bill. In wintertime, the narrow distance between the solar panel and roof may work as additional thermal insulation, in turn reducing your heating bill.
Green Attitude
You will be reducing the carbon footprint, meanwhile also contributing to a cleaner Earth. With increasing global warming awareness, you will demonstrate to yourself, your kids, your friends and your neighbours that you truly care about the environment.
The solar photovoltaic system is a great investment and may be a great selling point for your house. While helping the environment does not add up to much financial gain in a real estate contract, giving the buyer this peace of mind coupled with steady income without increasing property taxes, extended roof's service life and reduced energy bill certainly would assure them of increased equity for years to come.
To learn more about solar installations visit Solar PV Installation.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)