Both the “Tax Relief Act of 2010″ as well as the “Jobs Act of 2010″ that passed in late 2010 affected Section 179 in a positive way for this 2012 tax year.

Following are the highlights for the 2012 tax year:

• The 2012 Section 179 Deduction limit after adjustment for inflation has increased to $139,000 (maximum allowance would have been only $25,000 prior to the new legislation).
• The 2012 Section 179 Deduction threshold for total amount of equipment that can be purchased has increased to $560,000 (threshold would have been only $200,000 prior to the new legislation).
• The Section 179 Deduction is available for most new and used capital equipment, and also includes certain software.
• The new law allows 50% “Bonus Depreciation” on qualified assets placed in service during 2012. However, this can be taken on new equipment only.
• When applying these provisions, Section 179 is generally taken first, followed by Bonus Depreciation – unless the business has no taxable profit in 2012.
• Also, many businesses found Section 179 Qualified Financing <http://www.crestcapital.com/section_179_bonus>  to be an attractive option last year.

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Total Energy Concepts and V-Blox offer one of the most compelling business’ available today with unlimited growth industry, proven business plan, turn-key training and high income potential. In fact, many of our star producers are earning low to mid six figure incomes.

We offer many different packages to start your Energy Management/Power Quality business; from independent representative opportunities, to exclusive distributorship opportunities. And best of all, we base our companies on integrity and honesty. We will show exactly how to become a distributor and become successful in this arena.

If you have proven sales skills and a “super star” mentality, then we would like to share all the details about our Distributorship Business Opportunity.

For your free information package and to see if there is a distributorship for sale in your area or contact us now!

Green Energy Business Opportunity

• Booming Energy and Power Quality fields.
• Unlimited growth industry
• Proven business plan
• Key training and high income potential
• Low to mid six figure incomes

About Total Energy Concepts:
Total Energy Concepts is a national leader in power protection, energy management, power quality, refrigeration optimization, facility grounding and lighting solutions. TEC is committed to helping companies improve their bottom line by reducing expenses that drastically cut into company profits, all with a policy of 100 percent customer satisfaction.

For More Information:
Douglas Overvold
President, Total Energy Concepts, Inc.
952-472-7004
www.totalenergyconcepts.com

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One of these lights is using a lightbulb that can save you $150 over its life...per bulb!

It’s the middle one! While there is absolutely no difference in the light power or color, there is a significant difference in the energy saved. A 2-watt Borealis B10 will save $150 PER BULB over its 12-year life (compared to a traditional 25-watt incandescent).

The traditional torpedo shape of the Borealis B10 candelabra lamp is the perfect alternative for all conventional candelabra lamps and general lighting needs in chandeliers, wall sconces, ceiling fans, and other decorative lighting fixtures. The patent pending Borealis B10 lamps are available with a classic clear lens and radiate a captivating light, instantly lending themselves well to standard lighting applications. The standard base and the look and feel of the Borealis B10, allows for incorporation into all compatible fixtures.

download the complete B10 specifications

 Check out this amazing B10 ‘Before and After:’

The top deck shows the before; the bottom deck is after.

Before: 5,000 6-watt Sylvania S6 incandescent bulbs on each deck
After: 2,500 2-watt Borealis B10 LED bulbs on each deck
• Only used every other socket to achieve a brighter result!
• 83% energy savings!

This casino boat hit the jackpot and can expect over $700,000 in savings over the useful life of the LEDs.

TEC customers have access to purchase ALL their lighting equipment needs through the TEC Direct Program at a savings of 10-30%. Learn more about TEC Lighting Solutions.

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Brad Witty from TEC presents check to Jenell Olson of the McLean County Resource Center.

TEC continues to make its presence felt this holiday season. As part of its annual contribution program, the McClean County Resource Center was a recipient of support. McLean County Resource Center is an organization that assists abused women and families by providing food, clothing shelter and support. It is TEC’s privilege to be a part of their efforts.

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TEC representative Jeff Peterson, newly appointed to the Minneapolis American Diabetes Association Board of Directors, presents a TEC Check for $750.00 to the Executive Director of the Minneapolis Office Jenni Hargraves. This was part of the TEC Holiday Gift Giving now in its fourth year.

“Because of your efforts TEC has been able to give to many different organizations helping people during the Holidays and all year long.”

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Organizations receiving support from TEC included:

American Diabetes Association
Sharing and Caring Hands
Christ Presbyterian Church
Baptist Home
McLean County Resource Center
Great Plains Food Bank
Ruther Meiers Hospitality House
Elk’s Camp Grassick
Make-A-Wish Foundation of Arizona
Edward Foundation
Rockford Sharefest
Irwin’s Park Association
Challenging Athletes Playing Equally (CAPE)
Operation Breakthrough

As part of its commitment to the communities it serves, TEC commits a portion of its profits each year to organization’s located near its sales locations. To learn more about how your organization might be considered for TEC’s 2012 contributions contact their Detroit Lakes, MN headquarters at 218-844-5848.

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Total Energy Concepts (TEC), is pleased to announce its competitively awarded contract for “HVAC Systems and Services with Related Accessories and Supplies” made by the National Joint Powers Alliance (NJPA). The contract was approved by the NJPA Board of Directors on August 16, 2011, and is available through TEC nationally.

Government, schools and other qualifying groups now have access to the Smartcool^TM system offered by TEC via a competitively bid contract. The NJPA contract enables government, education and non-profit agencies a purchasing solution that satisfies most agencies’ competitive bid requirements.

“TEC could not be more excited about our partnership with NJPA. The Smartcool System that TEC offers can lower the cooling costs for both air conditioning and refrigeration that will bring tremendous value to the large membership base that the NJPA has built over the years,” said Doug Overvold, President of TEC. “As we all know, lowering our energy demand and decreasing our reliance on fossil fuels is one of the most important agenda’s in the US. Now NJPA members can decrease their electrical costs and improve their overall efficiencies with the Smartcool system!”

“Total Energy Concepts is a great fit for our Members,” said Mike Hajek, Director of Contracts and Marketing at NJPA. “Total Energy Concepts is known as the industry leader in customer service. I am excited to have them join our family of awarded vendor partners!”

About NJPA:
The National Joint Powers Alliance® is a Municipal Contracting government agency established through legal statute in 1977. NJPA serves over 30,000 Members throughout the nation with competitively awarded purchasing solutions from industry-leading vendors.

About SmartCool
About TEC’s NJPA Contract 

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Tax Incentives for Green Energy Purchases

The “Worker Homeowner and Business Assistance Act of 2009” was introduced by the federal government in November 2009.  Intended to stimulate the economy by providing tax relief for both businesses and homeowners, the Act modifies how businesses can carry Net Operating Losses (NOL). 

NOL refers to deductions granted for expenses that surpass a company’s gross income. Previously businesses could carry their NOL for only three years, but the Act extends that period to five years.  NOL-eligible companies may be entitled to quick tax refunds that they can spend on energy improvements. 

Meanwhile tax breaks for “green energy” improvements encourage business owners to invest in upgrades that make both structures and equipment more environmentally friendly:

• Adding or replacing insulation
• Upgrading old windows to energy-efficient ones
• Installation of LED lighting
• Placement of environmentally friendly energy sources

Initially these tax breaks were to be offered only through the end of 2008.  However, due to the current financial crisis, the federal government opted to extend the tax credit program.  The program will continue only until the government runs out of funding for the program.

Advantages of Investing in Energy Improvements

Given the current economic incentives for investing in green energy improvements, now is really the best time for businesses to invest in energy improvements.   Although the tax credits themselves are an excellent reason to go green, the long-term savings afforded by energy optimization are also excellent. 

• By decreasing electrical waste directly from the breaker, energy optimization increases overall energy efficiency.
• Replacing current appliances with energy efficient ones can drastically decrease power bills for the entire lifetime of the appliance.
• Energy-efficient lighting produces less heat and uses less electricity, for amplified savings. 

Because these government programs were instituted in the interest of economic stimulus, they have a limited life span.  Business owners who want to benefit should take advantage as soon as possible.

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Replace major appliances with energy-efficient models.  Energy-efficient appliances are usually more expensive up front.  However, they quickly pay for themselves through energy savings—and recently introduced tax breaks for green home improvements. Although most homeowners think to upgrade their refrigerators, washers, and dryers, they often overlook the hot water heater. Yet this appliance usually accounts for at least 25% of residential electricity usage. Even older hot water heaters can be retrofitted with a device like the AirTap, which uses heat pump technology to reduce energy use by up to 70%, without sacrificing temperature or capacity. 

Install efficient lighting throughout the house.  From Compact Fluorescent Lamps to LED bulbs, the array of energy-efficient lighting options makes it possible to replace virtually every incandescent bulb in the house.  While lighting accounts for approximately 60% of the average electric bill, traditional lightbulbs use only about 5% of the energy used to produce light. The other 95% escapes in the form of heat—which can even drive up cooling costs during the summer! Replacing these inefficient bulbs with their environmentally friendly counterparts reduces lighting energy costs by up to 80%.

Improve overall energy efficiency with electrical current optimization.  Every electrical system runs on electrical current, measured in Amps.  As energy is transferred throughout the home, much of it actually wasted; the average residential electrical efficiency registers at 85%.  A power factor correction unit improves that efficiency rate.   This device can be installed directly on the breaker box for year-round energy savings.

Protect equipment from electrical damage.  Electricity is a vital part of daily life, but it can also be dangerous.  Power surges may occur due to lightning strikes, downed power lines, or even routine electrical maintenance.  A surge can severely damage electrical equipment, especially more delicate items like computers and televisions.  To protect the whole house, homeowners can install a surge protector like the V-Blox House Surge Protection Unit.  The device easily installs to the electrical panel.

Practice energy-efficient habits.  Energy savings requires daily awareness of electricity usage.  The right equipment creates an energy-efficient infrastructure.  To complement that foundation, homeowners should practice responsible usage, such as turning off lights in empty rooms and unplugging unused phone chargers.  Homeowners can also improve their savings by routinely checking insulation and weather stripping.

For comprehensive energy savings, homeowners can combine energy -saving equipment, techniques, and habits.  This holistic energy optimization strategy significantly decreases homeowners’ electric bills and protects the environment.

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An Overview of Power Factor Correction

Power factor is the ratio of real power to apparent power used by a circuit.  When someone plugs an appliance into an electrical supply, the power factor varies based on the amount of electricity that the appliance requires.  That fluctuation causes instability in a home’s power grid and leads to wasted electricity. 

To reduce this waste and regulate the power factor, a power factor correction capacitor (PFCC) can be installed. The capacitor enables the electrical system to run more efficiently, so that less electrical input is necessary to power the home or business.

The device attaches to the main service entrance, the electrical panel, the equipment itself or all three, depending on the desired level of regulation.

Proper Installation of PFCC’s

If the main reason for correcting the power factor is to lower electric bills, the PFCC can be placed at the main service entrance.  This “fixed bank” approach improves the power factor and reduces electric bills.  But this method can also shorten the lifespan of the PFCC, particularly if the power usage varies daily.  

A better plan for homes and businesses where power needs fluctuate frequently is to place PFCC’s directly on the equipment itself, or to install an AutoTune system at the main service entrance or breaker box.  It is important to have a qualified professional assess individual building needs and build a corresponding strategy for power factor correction. 

Advantages of Power Factor Correction

Because power factor correction streamlines the function of the electrical system, it has multiple financial advantages for consumers and business owners:

• Reduced electrical usage, which lowers electric bills
• Elimination of power factor penalties on power bills
• Longer life for electrical appliances, reducing replacement costs
• Potential eligibility for green building tax credits and other government incentives

It is important to note that PFCC’s are not surge protection.  To maximize the benefits of power factor correction, it is best to pair PFCC’s with a comprehensive surge protection system, such as a Transient Voltage Surge Suppression (TVSS) unit. 

Consumers can use power factor correction to supplement their other energy conservation efforts.  The result will be added savings on electrical bills and longer life for electrical equipment.

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