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The term “feng shui” may sound mysterious and exotic, but simply put, it is a set of tips on how to put your home into the function of your health, ultimately creating a more energy-efficient living space.

Feng shui has been praised for centuries for its ability to increase people’s energy levels and give them a much healthier life. Feng shui requires a well-lightened area that has unobstructed airflow. Sunlight itself, works wonders, but when applied through various feng shui techniques, it can produce incredible improvements in your state of mind, as well as in terms of the energy efficiency of your home.

It is in our nature to be organized. No one likes to live in a mess and it can have a serious negative impact on your mental health. There are only two things you need to keep your living space healthy: enough clean air and enough light.

Fresh air is very important in the modern world. Thousands of years ago, there were no factories and cars that seriously degraded air quality. Even in your home, there are many pollutants, such as your stove, or refrigerator. This is why much more energy and effort needs to be invested in air purification today than in the past. The easiest way to compensate for the negative effects of some of these pollutants is to purchase natural air cleaners. Many small palm trees and ferns are known for their ability to absorb toxic substances found in the air. In addition, they produce oxygen and are a visually appealing addition to your home.

Lighting is also very important. Light is one of the most powerful forms of energy in the universe. On a daily basis, most of us are not exposed to sunlight as much as we should be. Feng shui encourages the use of natural light whenever possible, while recommending full-spectrum illumination when natural light is not enough.

So, by improving the lighting and purchasing several plants, you can dramatically improve your living space, and therefore your health and quality of life. The plants that are recommended recommend as the best “air cleaners” are: Dwarf Palm Tree (Phoenix Roebelenii), Golden Creeper (devil ivy, Lat. Epipremnum aureum), Peace lily (Spatifilum), Filadendron and Spider plant (green lily, lat. Chlorophytum comosum).

 

Do you know that in B&H, about a third of the average salary goes to paying bills, while, by comparison, in the USA this percentage is below 10%? Yes, you read that right. The average bill for electricity, water, heating and other utilities is around 300 BAM per household, which is exactly one third of the average salary in the country. And do you know that by smart and responsible use of energy, you can decrease this amount by half? Therefore, the amount of money that you can save with responsible energy consumption is not negligible.

In addition to saving you money, controlled use of energy – most often represented by the term “energy efficiency”, a term we hear quite frequently lately. Energy efficiency can bring many other benefits for you and your environment. If you reduce energy consumption, you also reduce air pollution, which ultimately affects your health, because the rate of respiratory and other diseases is much lower in clean environments than in the polluted ones.

Apart from the energy saving methods which are most commonly discussed in the context of energy efficiency, like thermal insulation, use of devices with high energy efficiency, changing the shower batteries, reduction of water consumption, etc., there is another very effective way to reduce energy consumption, and therefore air pollution, as well as your bills: a thermostat. According to the experience of the experts from the Bosnia Energy Efficiency Project (BEEP), people are often positively surprised to discover the importance of this seemingly insignificant device.

Therefore, if you have installed an independent heating system that includes a thermostat as a component of your home, consider upgrading that segment of your heating system. If you have an old thermostat, replace it with a new, adjustable digital reading one. This thermostat is much more accurate than the traditional one. In addition, you can program and adjust it for different hours of the day and night. It will automatically adjust the temperature to effectively meet your comfort needs, avoiding excessive energy costs, saving you significant amounts of money each year, and reducing the pollution of your environment.

Don’t miss out on equipping your home with this inexpensive yet very powerful device. Higher pay is not the main reason why residents of some more advanced countries, such as the US or Sweden, spend a lot less money on energy than we do on average. The main reason is a more responsible behavior towards energy consumption, and therefore towards yourself and the environment. In order to change the world, we first need to change our consciousness.

 

The protection of the ozone layer and climate change are among the most frequently found topics on the global agenda when it comes to conservation of our planet. While world leaders negotiate and consider new ways to combat the negative effects of climate change, we too can play a significant role in this process. A role that doesn’t require much effort, but in return brings great effect.

 

Reducing the energy consumption in our homes, in our business environment, but also on the street can be very effective when thought of on a global scale. At the same time, it will definitely show a positive change on our home budget. A small step for us, but a big step for humanity!

 

For starters, make sure that all the bulbs in your home are energy efficient. When heating the water, heat only the amount you need. You have to admit, it really doesn’t take a lot of boiling water to make one cup of tea. When not in use, completely disconnect all electrical devices because their power consumption is active even if the devices are in standby mode. Lower the thermostat for three degrees and save up to 10% of the total bill you pay now. It may not seem very important, but if you cook in a pan that has no lid, it will be your money vaporing together with the water itself. Therefore, always keep your pot covered.

 

In a business environment, whenever possible, create documents exclusively in digital format, and use the printer only when necessary, keeping in mind that everything you print can be recycled. You can also save energy, time and money if you schedule the appointments that do not require a physical presence through an online communication service. It’s amazing how much potential for savings lies in these kinds of activities.

 

As for the transportation, consider the following options: use a bicycle for short distances, find a company to share your ride with for daily commute, and consider buying a new generation of hybrids as your next vehicle. The time you normally spend for traveling from point A to point B can be transformed into precious moments that will bring you many benefits – financial, social and even emotional.

 

These are just a few simple but effective steps that will enrich your life and our planet in every sense. Once you get used to this state of mind, you will soon find yourself discovering new and interesting ways that will give you the full right to truly feel like an expert employed to protect the ozone layer and combat the negative effects of climate change.

 

There are many reasons to think about being energy efficient. You might be thinking about how this will positively affect our environment, so you reason for being energy efficient might be wanting to contribute to the conservation of the environment. Or, you may just be tired of paying those bills for electricity, heating and utilities. Whatever your reasons are, let’s say you are ready to do something about it. If you live in an apartment and think you have little or no place for change, then this short text is just for you.

 

Most people think that heating in the winter and cooling in the summer are the biggest costs associated with using energy in their home. It may surprise you, but a great deal of energy is actually spent on heating the water. Think about it. How many times a day are your shower or water tap turned on? How many times a week do you switch on the washing machine? How often do you turn on the dishwasher? Do you have a shower, jacuzzi, or a regular bathtub? Each of these items consumes a lot of hot water, therefore using a lot of energy. The good news is you can very easily reduce that consumption.

 

For example, to reduce the energy consumption required for a shower, you can do one simple thing. Get a low-flow shower battery. It is very cheap and its basic task is to limit the amount of water that flows out. The less hot water is used (and the more importantly, the less of it is wasted), the less energy your water heater consumes. You won’t even notice the difference in the shower itself, but you will definitely notice the difference on your electricity bill.

 

As for your dishwashers or laundry machines, get energy efficient ones. This means you are looking for products that are marked with an “energy star”. This means that the machine is designed to minimize power consumption, with a savings of at least 25 percent, when compared to older generations of home appliances.

 

Combine comfortable with useful. Be eco-conscious and save the environment while using less energy and money. Small changes, such as water heating, can bring great benefits to your environment as well as to your wallet.

 

A new season of heating has arrived once again, together with the old dilemmas of the best ways to save money and energy during winter. Bosnia and Herzegovina’s citizens pay huge amounts of money each year to heat and cool the air, without considering the amount of energy being wasted in the process, specifically because of inadequate care for energy efficiency. While discussions on the prices of pellet, gas or electricity, together with calculations on the cost-effectiveness of a convector or electric boiler are quite often, consumers are generally not concerned with the energy itself, or its savings.

You do not need to be any expert to see that thinking about energy efficiency of your home is useful, therefore going a step beyond talking about the lowest pellet price alone. For example, take some time to think about your windows. Believe it or not, windows are one of the main reasons you are spending more money on heating and cooling than you should. Inadequate insulation allows warm air to be drawn indoors in summer and out into the winter. However, with just a few strategic moves, you can drastically increase the insulation of your windows, therefore increasing your home’s warmth during cold winter days.

Experts working on the Bosnia Energy Efficiency Project (BEEP) bring you 5 window insulation tips that will help you save a lot of energy (and money) this winter.

• Plug cracks or holes around the window frames to isolate areas that are prone to airflow. As simple as this advice sounds, keep in mind that it can save you a significant amount of energy.

• Do not neglect the effect of sunlight on the heat of your home, so clean your windows regularly as that will allow solar energy to enter your home.

• Regularly check whether all your windows are tightly closed, especially during the night. Open them occasionally during the day to ventilate the rooms, but also to utilize the sun’s rays for natural solar heating.

• If you have not done it already, attach external shutters to your windows. This will additionally ensure that the cold wind does not have a great effect on the heat in your home. Shutters should be kept low during the night. However, you should raise them during the sunny days, so that the sun can send its heat into your home.

• Finally, if you are ready for an investment that will pay off in the long run, the best solution is to install energy efficient joinery. It can reduce heat loss by up to 50 percent, in addition to limiting draft and condensation.

In addition to thinking of the most efficient type of heating, this winter bear in mind the fact that there are many simple ways to save energy. The time has come to change our awareness on the subject and start using energy as wisely and efficiently as possible, that way also taking care of our finances. Energy efficiency is not a matter of the future, but a matter of the present, in which each of us can achieve great things both individually and collectively. Those benefits can be reflected in little things, such as enjoying the winter idyll from your warm home, with a cup of tea by the window, or in annual financial savings. Worth it anyway!

The World Energy Congress is a global platform whose 24th edition was held this year from 9th to 12th September in Abu Dhabi. In addition to world experts dealing with the topic of energy efficiency, the congress also created a special space for youth, called the Youth Energy Zone, which actually worked as a Youth Congress where young professionals had the opportunity to engage in constructive and inspiring discussions with world leaders in this industry. This is another example that vividly illustrates the importance of educating young people for the future of our planet.

Under the theme “Using The Energy of The Youth”, the Youth Energy Zone brought together global and local experts of all generations to engage in a series of interactive high-profile sessions and workshops, with the aim of encouraging additional discussion and meaningful dialogue focused on available energy sources and the development of skills and leadership within the industry itself. As a result of numerous workshops, the 24th World Energy Congress has produced a valuable and dedicated youth zone that will continue bringing together the clearest young minds from all around the world. Some of them are already recognized worldwide because their newly established companies have brought the industry very successful and innovative business models, when it comes to managing renewable energy.

A particularly inspirational lecture was brought by a young leader, Jeremy Crane, the founder of a company that offered a rarely seen approach to energy use. He works on a strategic approach to the energy consumption of large companies, which are offered a solution in the form of renewable energy leasing, ultimately resulting in huge savings of up to 40%. A collateral benefit is the fact that energy is produced from renewable sources and therefore the pollution that the companies have been producing up to that point has been completely eliminated. That’s why his company also made it to the list of best ideas within the Clean Energy Initiative of this year, as a candidate for the prestigious award of the Best Energy Efficiency Solutions Competition in the Middle East in 2019, confirming that young people really do play an extremely important role in conservation of the planet Earth.

An example that shows the education of young people and their involvement in energy efficiency dialogue is not only a transient trend, but a multi-beneficial investment of knowledge and time, is also present within the work of the Bosnia Energy Efficiency Project (BEEP), implemented by the Federal Ministry of Physical Planning. At the end of last month, another educational and entertaining tour of Beepster superheroe began in Bosnia and Herzegovina’s elementary schools, with the aim of educating the youngest about the importance of energy efficiency. The basic idea of this superhero is to teach the youngest generation about the importance of smart energy use through an educational and entertaining workshop. It is for this reason that Beepster talks to students about the process of global warming and its consequences for our planet. In this way, seemingly complex concept of energy efficiency becomes something that young people can grasp even at a young age. Developing awareness of energy efficiency in younger generations opens up a great opportunity for them to devote their energy to these topics in the future, and to join young people from all over the world to prove with their innovative solutions how our planet can be saved.

Guided by the famous Bosnian proverb saying the young will inherit the World, superhero Beepster started his tour in Bosnia and Herzegovina’s elementary schools to educate the young ones about the importance of energy efficiency. The first workshop was held in the Elementary School Husein ef. Dozo in Gorazde, during which Beepster taught the youngest about how to become heroes and save planet Earth.

 

This superhero’s goal is to teach the youngest generations about the importance of smart energy use through an educational and entertaining workshop. For this reason, Beepster talks to students about the process of global warming and its consequences for our planet.

 

“We need to save the rivers, forests and all other green places on the planet Earth!” said Beepster, sharing tips for smarter energy use, “Close your tap when brushing your teeth. Turn off the lights after leaving your room, because this wastes the energy unnecessarily. And remember, we need to turn off all electronic devices, instead of leaving them on stand-by mode.”

 

The process of combining educational with entertaining activities, with a focus on the importance of energy efficiency for the future of planet Earth, was enriched with the use of new technologies, which have a special place in the everyday lives of these generations. Hence, the superhero Beepster also introduced his Beepomat, an interactive educational device showing children how energy-efficient behavior can save the world. At the same time, Beepster used other interesting technological devices, such as the special camera that demonstrates the appearance of a device while using energy, compared to ones that are turned off.

 

This approach played a key role in attracting students’ attention and creating a comfortable atmosphere, demonstrating the importance of educating the youngest for the future of our planet.

 

 

 

 

As part of the B&H Energy Efficiency Project (BEEP), a total of 13 public buildings have been renovated in the Canton of Sarajevo since 2016. Two, out of three facilities renovated in the previous year, were visited today by the World Bank delegation. Members of the delegation were Senior Energy Experts Rhedon Begolli, Kathrin Hofer and Janina Franco.

 

This visit was a part of World Bank’s regular activities, realized with the aim to continue monitoring the implementation of energy efficiency measures at public buildings retrofitted within the BEEP project. The experts visited the facilities of the Secondary Electrical Engineering School and the Fifth Elementary School in Ilidža, analyzing the measures implemented so far and listening to the experiences of students and employees of these schools. In this way, the official delegation in charge of monitoring the work carried out under the BEEP project gained a more detailed and accurate insight into the degree of success of the completed works, as well as their importance for the users.

 

The Delegation declared the implementation of the works on these objects successful, thus expressing satisfaction with the results achieved. The visit ended with a discussion on ways to improve the implementation of the project in the future, which would facilitate the overall process of implementing energy efficiency measures for both facility users and contractors.

 

 

In addition to economic savings and reducing environmental impacts, the implementation of energy efficiency measures also has social benefits which are reflected in improved working and living conditions. This is proven by research published in the professional American journal “Nature Climate Change”, which has shown that the use of renewable energy sources contributes significantly not only to climate change but also to public health. In particular, studies have shown that by implementing energy efficiency measures, such as the installation and use of various renewable energy sources in healthcare and other related institutions, savings can amount to $5.7 million to $210 million annually.

 

The positive impact of energy efficiency on the health conditions of users is noticeable in other fields as well. In schools throughout the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, where energy efficiency measures were implemented through the Energy Efficiency Project in BiH, a study was conducted which focused on measuring the number of health-related absences. This project has been implemented by the FBiH Ministry of Physical Planning since 2016, and within its framework, 48 buildings have been renovated so far.

 

The results of the study, which involved 9 elementary schools, showed that absences decreased after the implementation of energy efficiency measures. The average dropout rate of the 2017/2018 academic year, compared to the previous academic year, was 4.71%.

 

Better working conditions made day-to-day teaching easier for both students and teachers. At the same time, the reduction of student absences will also have an impact on the rest of the community by breaking the chain of health problems amongst the youngest members of society. As a result, the number of parents who are absent from work due to their children’s health will automatically be reduced, as will the number of patients examined at health care facilities. This will ultimately result in the reduction of viral diseases being spread. From an environmental perspective, this also means less additional car rides, and, therefore, a reduction in pollutants and carbon dioxide emissions.

 

All these are just some of the reasons that prove the importance of implementing energy efficiency measures and their multiple benefits to society. Of course, in order to fully measure their positive impact, it is necessary to carry out comprehensive research covering a longer period of time. However, the data currently available also provides more reason to implement these measures. If we also take into consideration the specific requirements of users of public institutions, it is clear why this topic is of utmost importance.

 

Cost balancing is a daily challenge for every household and company. Cost reduction is especially significant in the business environment as it enables further investment in the development and growth of companies. Therefore, we bring you some simple energy efficiency tips that will help you reduce energy consumption and reduce your bills, all the while contributing to environmental conservation.

 

1. Use recycled materials

 

An office without paper is, in most cases, unimaginable, but in every company it is possible to reduce its unnecessary consumption. Therefore, before choosing the “print” option, consider whether you really need a physical copy of that document. Using digital versions will significantly reduce the amount of paper used and therefore the number of trees cut. Using recycled paper and also recycling it after use will further reduce the adverse impact of the production of this material.

 

2. Adjust the room temperature

 

Cooling and heating make up a large part of electricity costs, so adjusting the room temperature will help you achieve significant savings. If you increase the temperature by several degrees during the summer days, the office temperature will still be comfortable and the electricity bill noticeably lower. The same is true for winter days when you can lower the heating temperature by a degree or two without noticeable changes in the comfort of the room, while still seeing positive changes in your monthly bills.

 

3. Pay attention to electronic devices

 

Electric appliances, such as computers, fax machines, and printers, have a large share of the total energy consumption of each company. Considering the fact that stand-by devices also consume energy, it is important to switch off all devices that are not used on a daily basis. If you are planning to buy new ones, make sure they are energy efficient, as this will save significant amounts of energy. Also, don’t forget one of the oldest and most famous tips: turn off the lights when they are not in use!

 

 

4. Use renewable energy

 

If the nature of your business allows you to do so, consider replacing your office’s energy source. Companies such as Apple, Microsoft, and Intel are fully supplied by renewable energy which has at the same time affected their reputation as responsible and prosperous corporations. If this type of energy supply is not a functional option for your company and you still want to prove your commitment to the environment, consider using these energy sources as a complement to your existing system. For example, you can achieve this by using so-called green technologies such as solar panels.

 

5. Set sustainability goals

 

One of the most effective ways to achieve an energy-efficient business environment is to set specific sustainability goals. At the same time, creating a strategy in cooperation with employees will additionally motivate the whole team to reach the set goals as soon as possible. Of course, for motivational reasons, it is important to start with those smaller and more achievable goals, and then gradually move on to the more complex ones.