Earning Rebate Dollars with a Window Film Installation

One of the primary benefits of a window film installation for the home or office building is the energy saved through reduced cooling costs. More consumers every day are catching on to the way film can save close to 40% of a cooling bill.

 

Consumers aren’t the only ones paying attention to this energy-saving measure, though. Electric utility companies across the U.S. have offered or are currently offering incentives for their customers to install window film. These incentives most commonly come in the form of rebate dollars from the utility, either as an account credit or a check.

 

Want to know what rebates or incentives you can get? Check out this website where you can select your location to see what rebates or incentives are available in your area.

 

 

A few points to remember while you research the availability of utility company rebates for your window film project.

 

First, utilities and their rebates vary, from state to state and even within larger states, where there is more than one utility company.

Second, most if not all rebate programs are for pre-approved window films, professionally installed and with a warranty.

Third, the incentives are calculated most often as a function of dollars per square foot of window film installed. The per-square-foot rebates range from $.50 to $2.00.

And fourth, many window film rebates are often limited or “capped”, no matter how much film is installed.

 

If you’re considering a window film project for your home or business, it can pay to do a little homework and learn whether your local utility company offers rebates. Depending on the size of the installation, the rebate can become a significant subsidy to the cost of saving energy in the long run.

   

A Week’s Worth of Energy Saving Tips

No matter what day of the week it is, there’s always an opportunity to employ simple energy saving tips to help you in your home.

 

 

Sunday

 

SundayTime for laundry. Unless you have heavily soiled items, wash with cold water. According to the energystar.gov website, water heating consumes about 90% of the energy it takes to operate the washer. You can help your dryer run more efficiently by cleaning the lint filter after every use, and not over-drying your clothes. If 50 minutes works, don’t set the time to 70 minutes.

 

 

Monday

 

MondayBegin the energy savings process before heading off to work by preparing your home for the decrease in family activity time. Unplug electronics and chargers; turn off lights and fans; close curtains from summer heat, or angle blinds upward in winter to capture daytime sun warmth. Raise or lower your thermostat to keep it from running too frequently in an empty house.

 

 

Tuesday

 

TuesdayFrustrated with the electric bill that came in the mail today? Walk over to the water heater and check the temperature setting. Most water heaters are set at 140 degrees, but could be just as effective at 120 degrees, which according to the EPA, provides the potential to cut costs by 6-10%. For electric water heaters, save money by installing an inexpensive timer that turns it off at night when you aren’t using hot water.

 

 

Wednesday

 

WednesdayYou’re going to need extra coffee this morning to get through “hump day.” Instead of leaving your coffee maker’s warmer on while getting ready, shut it off as soon as the brewing is complete and pour the rest into a thermos to keep it warm. Why? Even immediately powering down this simple appliance offers nearly 23% energy savings compared to leaving it on for more than an hour.

 

 

Thursday

 

ThursdayRunning errands? Pop in the hardware store, and get caulk or weatherstripping to seal air leaks. Dirty spots on your ceiling paint and carpet may indicate air leaks that need caulking at joints and joists. Hold an incense stick near plumbing fixtures, electrical boxes, and ceiling fixtures. If the smoke moves horizontally, seal up these air leaks as well.

 

 

Friday

 

FridayBackyard get-together tonight! Conserve water by cleaning driveways and sidewalks with a broom instead of a hose. Accent your space with solar lights and candles in place of bulb energy. Leave the stove off, and put your grill-master to work. Unplug your portable music player, and use rechargeable batteries to power up background music. Get the kids away from energy-draining video games, and plan some electricity-free competitions!

 

 

Saturday

 

SaturdayWhen you get the duster out to clean, don’t forget to use it on light fixtures and bulbs. Dust can absorb 50% of light, making you want to turn on more lighting than necessary. Dusty air conditioner or furnace filters, refrigerator coils and vents all add to more energy usage as well. Even dust on electronics can force their fans and motors to run harder, eating up more electricity.

Every day brings a chance to make little changes in your life and home, and that includes small steps you can take to become more energy efficient.

   

Have Yourself An Energy Efficient Christmas

Christmas is one of the most energy-consuming times of year for homes. Before you untangle those bulky, traditional bulbs again, consider these lighting options that can help you save energy and money.

 

 

LED Lighting

 

LED LightingWhat’s the big deal with LED (light-emitting diode) holiday lights? You can reap up to 70-90% energy savings! Your old incandescent or florescent lights consume between 40-175 watts of power per string, while an LED string consumes just 2-4 watts. According to the energystar.gov website, the energy of one 7-watt incandescent bulb can power 140 LED bulbs, which equates to two 24-foot strings. Additionally, low-wattage LED lights allow you to connect up to 24 strings end-to-end without overloading a wall socket. You may pay a little more at the register for LEDs, but their expected lifespan is up to 50,000 hours, which means you won’t have to replace strings as often—if ever.

 

 

Rope Lights

 

Rope LightsTypically, rope lights use miniature incandescent bulbs spaced apart in flexible plastic tubing. There are LED rope lights on the market, but if you can’t find them in your store, you can still save energy with standard ropes. The tiny incandescents consume only 0.5 watts of electricity per foot and can last more than 20,000 hours.

 

 

Fiber Optic Tree

 

Fiber Optic TreeThinking about getting a new Christmas tree? Save energy with a fiber optic tree. These trees use a single bulb to transmit electricity along tiny fibers throughout the branches. The fibers light up the entire tree, often in alternating colors, and stay cool to the touch. With only one 5-20 watt bulb consuming energy on your tree, you are saving money and eliminating the task of hanging and removing lights.

 

 

Energy Saving Timer

 

Energy Saving TimerWhatever lights you use, leaving them on all day or after you’ve gone to bed runs up your electric bill unnecessarily. Invest in timers to turn on and off your outdoor and indoor lights for you. Inflatable decorations are some of the most energy-sucking items you can display (150-200 watts per hour), and timers eliminate the need to remember to shut off their fans and lights after viewing time has passed.

 

 

Electricity Free Decorating

 

Electricity Free DecoratingCandles are a great electric-free option that can be used in outdoor luminaries. Even with shorter daylight hours, solar-powered luminaries, strings, and ornaments can soak up enough sunlight to illuminate your yard or tree for plenty of enjoyment. If you just can’t give up tree lights, cut down the amount by decorating with shiny ornaments, garland or tinsel that reflect light and add brilliance. Turn off overhead lighting when your tree is on, and the soft glow will still provide enough light to navigate the room.

 

Even if you are competing to have the best neighborhood Christmas lights, it doesn’t mean you have to face the worst electric bill. Keep energy efficiency in mind during the holidays, and put a little extra holiday cash in your pocket.

   

Save Energy by Slaying Vampire Power

You’ve heard of vampire power, right? The term is not as scary as it sounds, but it will make your energy bill creep up on you. You won’t need a cross or garlic to avoid being a victim, and you can take simple steps to rid the “phantom load” of its power.

 

Vampire power is termed when plugged-in electronics and appliances continue to draw energy even when they are turned off or in standby mode. According to the Department of Energy, these silent energy loads can cost U.S. households an average of $100-200 per year.

 

 

Hunt the Vampires in Your Home

 

Hunt the Vampires in Your HomeTrack down these power sucks by looking around your home for devices that have power adaptors or black power-supply cubes. Look around for electronics that use a remote control or have a built-in chargeable battery. Do a survey of equipment with a digital display such as a clock or LED status light. You may spot obvious vampires such as your coffee maker, DVR or computer speakers, but beware that others are lurking about.

 

Electric shavers and toothbrushes, digital picture frames, and cordless vacuums pull energy when not in use. Another sneaky vampire is your cell phone charger, which continues to draw energy after the phone is charged and even after you take your phone with you. The biggest phantoms are game consoles and plasma televisions. The Department of Energy notes that a plasma television’s standby power can cost up to $165 a year alone!

 

 

Remove the Energy Drain

 

Remove the Energy Drain In TextThe simplest method to kill vampire energy is to unplug electronics when they’re not in use, but that can be a time-consuming daily task. Cluster electronics into a power strip, especially ENERGY STAR qualified strips that are registered to have lower standby, and flip one switch to turn off all plugs. Or, take it up a notch and invest in smart power strips, which can be set to turn off idle devices for you. You can find them online and at electronics retailers.

 

A basic smart power strip is controlled by programmable timers, which allow you to schedule turning on and off plugged-in devices automatically. Some strips allow you to control an entire room from your smart device. Advanced strips include outlets controlled by a motion detector to turn on when you come into the room and powers off when you leave or after a set time of vacancy. The smartest vampire killers are able to detect when a primary device such as a TV or computer enters sleep-mode or is turned off, then shuts down any connected outlets like printers or external hard drives. Turn the main device back on, and the accessory outlets come to life.

 

The vampire load of one device may not attack your utility budget, but a household of phantoms will frighten you! Battle them all with smart power strips, and watch this unnecessary energy drain disappear.

   

Here are our Top Five Energy-Saving Products for Renters

Not everyone has the ability to make the kind of substantial energy-saving upgrades that a homeowner can make. For example, it makes sense for someone who plans to live in a home indefinitely to invest in the home’s long-term energy cost. A $5000 investment that cuts an energy bill by $100 dollars per month for the next 10 years will result in a savings of more than double the initial investment.

But there are products tailored less for homeowners and more for people who simply want to update their living area. Here are five of our favorite energy-saving products for renters.

5. Belkin Wemo® Insight Smart Plug

Belkin-Wemo-Insight-Smart-PlugWe’ll do these in reverse order. This story should sound familiar to renters everywhere. You’re out of the house and you suddenly feel a sense of dread. You’ve left the hot plate on. Or, so you think. But there’s nothing you can do about it except leave wherever you are, go home, and check.

Not if you have an insight smart plugYou can turn off the outlet using your smartphone with nothing more than a flick of your thumb, save energy, and rest easier.

4. Florida Eco Products Waterpebble

Florida-Eco-Products-WaterpebbleEver get in the shower determined to duck in and out, using as little water as possible—only to hang around for minutes longer than necessary just because the gentle caress of the water is so lovely? I think all of us have probably had this experience.

The waterpebble helps us fight this impulse by tracking our water usage and actually telling us that it is time to save energy by leaving the shower, using a red-yellow-green light system. Once you see that red light, it’s time to leave.

3. SimpliSafe

This is another great idea for renters especially. You don’t want to invest in a full-out home security service, but you still want peace of mind. Get Simplisafe, an app that tracks movements outside of your home and alerts you to possible danger. You don’t need a system that makes you commit or buy tons of bulky merchandise. Just get a couple of tiny Simplicams, track on the app, and sleep better at night.

2. simplehuman® Sensor Mirror

simplehuman-Sensor-Mirror2This one is for the makeup lovers. You don’t need a makeup mirror that uses tons of incandescent light. The simplehuman sensor mirroruses a combination of natural light and LED to help you save energy and look your best. And it only lights up when you get near it—how cool is that?

1. Delta Breez Integrity Fan with Bluetooth Speaker

Delta-Breez-Integrity-Fan-with-Bluetooth-SpeakerThis one happens to be our favorite because it even entertains us while saving us energy. The fan gets your house bumpin’ with tunes you love while ventilating a room, leaving your energy bill in the basement. Give one a try today!

   

Energy Efficiency Rebates and Incentives For Your Home

Buying high-efficiency products can help you reduce utility bills, but did you know that you could get help to cover the cost of those upgrades? Financial incentives offered through local utilities and federal and state government agencies can take many forms: rebates, loans, and direct income tax deduction. A savvy way to learn about incentives available to you is to get a certified energy audit, which provides you with a prioritized report of money-saving recommendations, along with information about rebates and loans available to you.

 

 

Rebates

 

If you plan to upgrade appliances like a refrigerator, washer, or water heater, you can get rebates up to several thousand dollars by purchasing ENERGY STAR certified products. Check your local utility website beforehand for rebate details, as you will likely need to choose from a list of qualified dealers and specified products as well as submit an online form within a certain time frame after purchase. As a bonus, you can get an additional rebate just by having your local energy provider haul away your old model for recycling. Keep an eye out for rebates on smaller items, too, such as light bulbs, ceiling fans, and programmable thermostats.

 

 

Loans

 

Most states offer energy efficiency loans to help pay upfront costs for wall insulation, HVAC, or air/duct sealing upgrades by providing financing for purchases and installation. Terms include zero or low percentage interest rates with low-payment options on a fixed amount (anywhere from $5,000 to $100,000) and improvements must be performed within a set time period. In some cases, you can build your loan payments right into your utility bill. To receive the incentive, you might be required to be pre-approved and undergo an inspection after installation.

 

 

Tax Credits

 

There are ways to reduce your taxes when you make energy efficiency upgrades to areas like exterior windows, doors, or roofs. The U.S. federal government offers tax credits that allow you to claim a percentage of the cost as long as you have the manufacturer’s credit certification statement and proof of warranty. Usually, a home energy audit must be performed before improvements in order to be eligible for the tax deduction. There is often a cap on the credit, so refer to the IRS website or your tax preparation company for the latest values.

 

You can reap even bigger benefits without a cap for installing alternative energy equipment. According to the IRS, the Residential Energy Efficient Property Credit that runs through 2016 allows you to write off 30% of your costs to put alternative energy equipment in your home such as solar water heaters or residential wind turbines.

 

When you make home energy improvements, you enjoy the benefits of lower energy bills and increased comfort, and taking advantage of efficiency incentives means you can get paid back for your efforts as well. To find out more about incentives available in the U.S., check the Department of Energy Incentive Programs and the Database of State Incentives for Renewable and Efficiency.

 

   

Managing the Sun’s Heat With Window Film

While window films are mostly invisible, they perform some impressive, heavy-duty work behind the scenes without us ever thinking about it. Security, aesthetics, privacy and safety in the event of shattering glass are all jobs that window films do well.

It’s in controlling the effects of the sun’s energy, though, that window film’s most important work gets done. Heat and light from sunlight benefit humankind tremendously. At the same time, they can damage skin and property and require electricity to manage, mainly in the form of air conditioning.

How does window film control the effects of heat on the interior of a building or automobile? Through reflection, absorption or a combination of both, window tints help manage your interior temperatures. The sun’s rays are composed of three types of energy — visible light, infrared (IR) and ultraviolet (UV) light that we can’t see and can only feel. Window films from Madico®, Inc. can reject or absorb all three for comprehensive solar control.

Controlling Visible Light

Depending on its construction, window film allows most or all visible light to pass through the glass to which it’s applied. Optically clear window film will let most visible light through while reflecting or absorbing other types of solar energy. Tinting will filter out some visible light, and decorative blackout or whiteout film will block even more. 

Tinted film lets homeowners darken their interiors without blinds or curtains, allowing them to enjoy their views with less glare from the sun. Likewise, tinted automotive film will block some visible light to reduce glare and improve visibility while driving. Every window film will allow a certain percentage of light to pass through while reflecting a certain amount from the exterior and interior.

For example, UV Gard by Madico, which is optically clear, transmits 80% of visible light while reflecting 8% on both external and internal sides of the glass. By comparison, Solar Bronze by Madico has an earth-tone tint that transmits just 35% of visible light. Its reflective surface also rejects 18% of visible light from the outside. For automotive applications, most of our window tints come in many shades, allowing drivers to customize the amount of visible light that enters their vehicles based on state regulations.

Black Out by Madico blocks nearly 100% of visible light, making it great for a home theater. Meanwhile, White Out by Madico lets in just 9% of visible light and diffuses it to create soft, white illumination. It also allows for total privacy, making it great for bathrooms and glass doors.

Controlling Infrared Light

Infrared rays are responsible for most of the sun’s heat. Solar window films can reject IR rays and reflect or absorb most of the heat energy from the sun before it’s felt inside the building or car. Reflective window films bounce much of the sun’s IR rays back into the atmosphere, while non-reflective or dyed films simply absorb or block them. Thus, most window films can reduce heat buildup inside cars and buildings to varying degrees.

Light-selective nano-ceramic films for automobiles, like Black Pearl® Nano-Ceramic by Madico, offer a high IR rejection of 87% for maximum heat protection. Home and building owners can take advantage of this technology through Sunscape® Advanced Ceramic by Madico, which offers between 66% to 83% IR rejection depending on the model. This technology increases indoor thermal comfort and reduces your cooling costs.

Controlling UV Light

UV light is one of the most damaging types of solar energy. It’s responsible for sunburn and has been linked with skin cancer. UV solar energy also does a number on your property and belongings, causing carpets, upholstery, artwork and flooring to fade. Blocking UV rays is good for your health and will slow fading in your car, office or home’s interior. The Skin Cancer Foundation even specifically recommends Madico’s UV-protective window films. 

Whether optically clear, reflective or tinted, high-quality window films can block most of the sun’s UV rays. Most Madico window films offer greater than 99% UV rejection, which is like having sunscreen on your car, home or building.

Protecting Interiors

All forms of the sun’s energy can contribute to interior fading and deterioration. UV light is the biggest culprit, and experts attribute 40% of fading and interior damage to UV light. 

UV rays can interact with many chemicals found in furniture, fabric dyes and wood, which causes fading over time. This light can also cause leather to become cracked, similar to how it causes skin damage. The sun’s heat plays a role, too, as many fabrics, woods and other materials will react to temperature changes and slowly deteriorate with heat exposure.

Controlling the amount of heat and UV light that passes through glass by installing solar window film slows heat damage and fading of furnishings and carpet. With heat protection, you’ll find it more affordable to control your home’s climate, which will protect your furniture from heat and humidity. It will also protect your car’s interior from heat and UV damage, even when it’s parked for long periods in the hot sun.

Why Choose Madico for Your Solar Control Window Film?

Why Choose Madico for Your Solar Control Window Film?

Besides solar control, visual comfort and heat reduction, Madico window films offer various benefits. Madico films can enhance your home’s decor and are covered by a manufacturer’s warranty in North America. They come in reflective and matte options and shades ranging from brown to gray to silver. They can also feature decorative elements like frosting or whiteout applications.

An experienced, reputable window film professional can help you determine which product is right for your home, buildingor automobile. Contact your local Madico dealer to learn more. Keep browsing to find the perfect architectural films for your home or building, or choose your automotive film with our tint simulator tool.

   

Teach Your Kids to Save Energy at Home

You are never too old or too young to learn how to save energy at home. While the kids may not be able to help you with big energy efficiency projects, every little effort helps to lower your utility bills. Get the family together and introduce one of these tips at a time until each becomes a habit. You just might find yourself becoming more consistent at conserving energy, too!

 

 

Power Down…Everything

 

Power Down EverythingThe big energy drain that kids AND adults are guilty of is forgetting to shut off lights when leaving a room. If you are going to be away for even a few minutes, it’s worth the energy savings to flip the switch to off. But don’t stop at overhead lights. Add the television, gaming consoles, computers, electronic devices, and chargers to the list. Make it a before-bedtime game and walk through the home together to power down.

 

 

Conserve Water

 

Conserve WaterBathtime can be fun, but so can a competition to keep bathing to a 5 or 10-minute shower. Set a timer, and if the child is out (and clean!) before the bell, then they get a sticker on the calendar or more book time with you before bed. Extend the water conservation efforts to the sink and practice shutting off the faucet between brushing your teeth and rinsing. And have them make sure the faucets are completely off or not dripping.

 

 

Switch to CFL

 

Switch to CFLA great counting exercise to do with kids is to add up all of the light bulbs used in your home. From that total, how many of them are compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs)? By changing standard bulbs to ENERGY STAR certified CFL bulbs, you will use a lot less energy, and they will last longer, too. According to the Energy Star website, one CFL can save $40 or more over the lifetime of the bulb. A fun way to teach kids this concept is an interactive online game provided by kidsenergyzone.com. Kids use the keyboard to move an animated character named CFL Charlie around a house to install CFL bulbs, shut off lights, and get the energy usage total down to zero.

 

 

Bedroom Energy Assessment

 

Bedroom Energy AssessmentHave your children assess how much energy they use in their bedrooms. Look together for vents and registers to make sure furniture, toys, and wall coverings are not blocking them. Could you teach them about alternative energy by switching to a solar-powered nightlight? Or have the kids hold a ribbon up close to the window seams. If the ribbon flutters, you may have an air leak that needs to be sealed. They can try this test throughout the house and draw a map of the problem locations for you. What is their view out the window? Could you plant a tree together that would shade the room in the summer or block wind in the winter?

 

Saving energy at home is a team effort, and the youngest one in the household could become your leader. When you teach by example, your children will grow to be adults who care about saving energy and the future of their planet.

 

   

Save Energy on National Cut Energy Costs Day

Happy National Cut Energy Costs Day! Today, and every day for that matter, is a great day to find new ways to save energy and money. There are many ways to accomplish this – it just takes a little bit of research, creativity, and lucky for you, help from EasyEnergySavingTips.com.

 

We’ve gathered a few ways to help you celebrate National Cut Energy Costs Day. What better way to celebrate than putting money back into your pocket?

 

 

Ways to Save Through Your Daily Routine

 

We often don’t realize just how much energy we are using during our morning, afternoon, and nightly routines. A few simple changes could go a long way for saving energy in your home.

 

  • Shorten the showers: your hot water heater won’t have to work as hard if you cut down that half hour shower to about 10 minutes or less.
  • For the ladies: let your hair air dry as often as possible.
  • Try carpooling: if you have little ones, carpool with other parents. Or, if you live near a coworker, have them give you a lift, or vice versa, every once in a while.
  • After dinner: you don’t have to run your dishwasher every night. Only run it when it’s full.

Small Investments Can Make a Big Impact

 

Not all investments have to take a chunk of change from your wallet right away. Small investments in energy-saving products can help you save some big bucks.

 

  • Energy-efficient light bulbs: while these bulbs are a tad more costly than regular bulbs, energy-efficient bulbs such as LED light bulbs help to preserve electricity.
  • Home insulation: we are still in the winter season, so invest in some home insulation. This will help to keep your home warmer without running up the electric bill.
  • Ceiling fans: be sure your ceiling fans work for the space they’re in. Optimize air flow by using this guide to help you pick the best size and type of fan for a specific room.  

Create Some Good Habits

 

Adopting a few habits can help you save energy and money over time. Not all habits have to be bad habits.

 

  • Turn off the lights: it’s hard to remember to do this when you are in a rush. But if you become accustomed to turning off the lights regularly, you could save a lot of energy.
  • Turn down the thermostat when you leave: a few degrees can make a world of difference. While you’re not home, your heating and air conditioning shouldn’t have to work as hard.
  • Turn off the water: you’d be surprised at how much water is wasted while you’re brushing your teeth or scrubbing your hands.

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Top 5 Energy-Efficient Countries Series: Japan and Italy

Every year, the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) releases a list of the top 23 most energy-efficient countries. Rankings are based on energy-efficiency for buildings, industry, national, and transportation efforts to reduce energy usage. Each country earns their spot according to accumulated efforts over the previous year.

Italy and Japan have tied at number two. Here’s a look at a few highlights.

National Efforts

National EffortsJapan came in second in the national efforts category based on the ACEEE report. The country has made a large reduction in energy intensity between 2000 and 2013. Japan also has strong energy saving goals, such as regulating criteria for energy efficiency and setting minimum energy performance standards for energy-consuming devices. With one of the most efficient thermoelectric power systems, Japan is able to utilize heat from solid waste. Italy, on the other hand, needs to improve its national efforts and invest more money into energy efficiency programs. Even though Italy is committed to an energy-savings target under the European Union’s Energy Efficiency Direction, it only saw a 9 percent reduction in overall energy intensity between 2000 and 2013. However, Italy’s strong showing in other areas helped it to tie for the number two spot.

Transportation

TransportationBoth countries tied with 16 points in the area of conserving energy through transportation. Italy participates in the EU’s vehicle standards program and plans to reach up to 56.9 mpg fleet-wide by 2025. Currently, Italy’s average mpg per vehicle is about 38.6. Japan established the first fuel economy program for heavy-duty vehicles in 2005 and is one of only four countries to do so to date. Japan also hopes to reach a fleet-wide 45.9 mpg by 2025.

Industry

IndustryItaly has set standards in the industrial sector by establishing energy conservation targets. The country now requires all plant managers to meet these targets while implementing periodic audits. According to Italy’s report, a market-based energy efficiency scheme is the key to achieving the country’s industrial sector’s savings goal, which is set at 5.1 Mtoe (Million Tonnes of Oil Equivalent). Japan also did very well in this section of the analysis. Japan’s efforts toward a more energy-efficient industry include regulatory measures and voluntary actions. For example, The Act Concerning the Rational Use of Energy set mandatory requirements for designated industries back in 1978 and continues to be the foundation of standards, updated every year.

Some of these requirements include appointing an energy manager that reports the status of energy consumption annually and implementing a benchmark system that requires companies to set medium and long-term energy-saving goals. However, Japan could also improve in this section of the analysis by implementing more government support and financial backing.