Month: September 2017

Additional class about the importance of energy efficiency in “Vares Majdan” elementary school.

The new school year started with the additional class of the Beepster hero at Elementary School “Vares Majdan”, Vares who sent the message to the students that Earth’s planet is in great danger.

From the earliest age, when the habits of using energy just getting to know, the youngest generation should teach how this energy can rationally use. In that, Beepster – super hero from another planet can help the best. Through educational – entertaining workshops in schools, Beepster transmits knowledge to children of the importance of energy efficiency.

“I believe that it is necessary for children to be alert and educate in time about the importance of preserving a healthy environment, so that understanding of the issues of environmental protection and energy efficiency has taken on its important place in society,”-said Beepster.

“Do not leave the water flowing until you brush your teeth. Use energy saving light bulbs, plant a tree. With your behavior you can become heroes and change the world,” – added Beepster.

He introduced to them the BEEPomat, a device which teaches them smart energy use, as well as to the thermal imager, which shows how much energy is lost when a device is on a standby mode. The students also watched an animated film about the climate change and learned advices with which they can change the world.

Beepomat, device which teaches energy efficient behavior, was of particular interest to students. Beepster also introduced them to a super thermal imagining camera, that shows how much energy is lost when devices are left in a stand-by mode. Students were also shown an animated movie on climate changes on Earth and smart use of energy.

Beepster continues its journey in elementary schools throughout B&H, which have been renovated or are in the process of reconstruction in the framework of the World Bank project “Bosnian Energy Efficiency Project” (BEEP).

Beepster’s additional class about the importance of energy efficiency in schools

New school year in “Zahid Barucija”, Vogosca and “Srednje” Ilijas elementary schools, started by visiting the Beepster hero, who at an additional class, sent the message to the students that the planet Earth was in great danger.

The youngest inhabitants of the Earth represent the group that has the highest capacity, to accept new information, ideas and technology, and a better and healthier way of life.

However, big school commitments and even greater desire to spend as much free time as possible playing with other children, do not leave enough time for learning about the importance of environmental protection and rational use of energy. Therefore, Beepster, a super hero from another planet, comes to help. Through educational – entertaining workshops in schools he conveys its knowledge of the importance of energy efficiency.

“It is very important for schoolchildren to become aware of the importance of energy efficiency and measures that they can take to contribute to energy-efficient development and savings. Therefore, I advise children but also their parents, that they do not leave the water flowing until they brush their teeth, to use energy-saving light bulbs, to turn off the light when they leaving the premises, and to take a walk or ride a bike instead of going by car. Only through education and concrete examples children develop awareness, in order to be more responsible towards the environment and the community, and become heroes and changed the world,” – said Beepster.

At Beepster’s workshops the students had an opportunity to watch the animated film about climate change, and take part in the interactive quiz of knowledge called BEEPomanija and test their knowledge of energy efficiency. Also Beepster introduced Beepomat, a device that easily illustrates how irrational use of energy from fossil fuels leads to global warming.

Beepster continues its journey in elementary schools throughout BiH, which have been renovated or are in the process of reconstruction in the framework of the World Bank project “Bosnian Energy Efficiency Project” (BEEP).

Signed Agreement on the energy efficiency measures implementation for the public facility Elementary school “Gazi Ferhad-beg” Tesanj

Federal Minister of Physical Planning, Josip Martic and a representative of “Cosic promex” company from Usora, signed Contract on Implementation of Energy Efficiency Measures on September 12, for the public facility Elementary school “Gazi Ferhad-beg” Tesanj.

Within this project, among other things, will be implemented measures thermal insulation of facade walls, replacement of existing carpentry, installation of thermostatic valves on radiators, as well as improving the complete heating system with a total planned investment of about 285,000 KM with VAT.

The project is being implemented within the framework of the World Bank Project “Energy Efficiency in B&H” for the Federation of B&H, which refers to the renovation public facilities in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Mirsad Kustura, director of elementary school “Hasim Spahic”

By implementing energy efficiency measures, we achieve significant financial savings

“Hasim Spahic” Primary School from Ilijas is one of the educational institutions on whose facility energy efficiency measures were implemented as a part of the BEEP project (B&H Energy Efficiency Project). This school also won the pilot project for comparative measurement of energy savings, where they proved to be the biggest energy savers and ultimately deserved their win. Through a brief interview, the director of the school, Mr. Mirsad Kustura talks about the importance of the implemented works, as well as the reactions of the employees, students and parents after these works.

What are the main problems that the primary school “Hasim Spahic” Ilijas faced in terms of energy consumption?

Mirsad Kustura: Before the implementation of the energy efficiency project  we had a very big energy loss problem, because the school had old windows that did not close properly and did not have any thermal insulation.

What works were implemented in your school as a part of the Beep Project (B&H Energy Efficiency Project) and what is the importance of the implemented measures for students and employees?

Mirsad Kustura: As a part of the Beep project (B&H Energy Efficiency Project) a complete change was made on the external facade windows of our school. In addition, a thermal facade was installed on the external walls and attic, the substation was partially refurbished, as was the interior lighting. By implementing these measures, the working conditions of our students and teachers have been improved.

In addition to improving the working conditions for students and teachers, did the implementation of energy efficiency measures contribute to cost reduction and financial savings?

Mirsad Kustura: Implementation of the energy efficiency project significantly reduced heating and electricity costs, which led to financial savings – so the project became self-sustaining.

How satisfied are you with the work of the project implementation units? What are the reactions of students and parents – are they satisfied with the work done and do they feel concrete improvements?

Mirsad Kustura: The implementation unit did a very professional job, to the great satisfaction of students and parents, who are very satisfied with the work, and are fully aware of the improvements.

The “Hasim Spahic” Elementary School is also the winner of the comparative energy measurement pilot project implemented as a part of the Beep project. Your school had the greatest energy savings of all involved in this pilot project. How do you motivate teachers and students to take be more energy efficient?

Mirsad Kustura: At school we conducted a brief educational program for students and employees about the importance of conservation and rational use of energy sources.

How much are children learning about energy efficiency in class? Do you think their curriculum provides enough information? What kind of education can help to raise their awareness and to make their behavior more energy efficient?

Mirsad Kustura: As a part of the school curriculum, children are barely, almost in no way, educated on the topic of energy efficiency. We think their curriculum does not provide enough information. It is necessary to introduce this type of education in the curriculum and program through ecology, so students’ awareness of this issue will continue to grow and their behavior become more energy efficient.

What is the first thing you notice on a building? Most will probably answers with the facade or the lack of a facade. Whether it is a private house, residential building or other public facility, apart from the aesthetic role of the facade, it also has a functional role – the thermal protection of the building.

A high quality facade and heat insulation, especially on the house or building you live in, is one of the basic preconditions for a pleasant and quality life. Nowadays, when climatic changes are evident, with summers that are too warm and winters that are too cold, life in a house or a residential building is simply is not good. Without a facade, the energy required for heating or cooling premises are irretrievably lost in large quantities.

If we take a better look at the houses in Bosnia and Herzegovina, we can notice that most of them have several floors, but they do not have a facade and the exterior walls are naked. Satisfactory thermal protection is also lacking. This is often one of the biggest causes of high electricity bills each month or funds set aside for alternative heating methods.

However, did you know that you can decide whether you will continue to allocate large sums of money for heating and paying high bills or if you will save money by making smart investments and through smart energy use? The second option allows you to afford a more enjoyable and safer life and living conditions. One of the ways to use energy smartly is precisely through adequate thermal insulation. Heat insulation is the protective system of a building that allows you to save energy for heating in the winter and makes your house less hot in the summer.

Insulation of external walls, roofs, windows and doors protects the building from harmful external influences, such as moisture or freezing, and extends its life span. Also, heat insulation helps solve the problem of dangerous poisonous fungi and molds in houses that form as a result of inadequate temperatures.

Although investment in a high quality facade and good thermal insulation requires a certain financial cost, it will pay off in the long term. In fact, in several years the money invested will return and energy consumption will decrease by 40 to 60 percent. That is why we need to think in advance. When everything is put on paper, you will be convinced that long-term savings are real and tangible.

It is about time to start raising awareness of the effects of energy efficiency. Why not start with a new facade? Every contribution is important and together they lead towards the same goal – a clean planet Earth for our children.