GREEN LIVING TIPS

1. WALK MORE, DRIVE LESS!

Automobile exhaust gases are recognized as primary sources of air pollution, so try to walking or riding a bicycle!

2. RECYCLE

Recycling is one of the fundamental aspects of environmental conservation, sustainable development, renewable energy sources, while encouraging economic development and better living environment. Serbia has rather undeveloped recycling infrastructure, but together we can surely speed up the whole process. So, start today, separate your garbage at home PET, GLASS, ALUMINUM, PAPER, put them all in the nearest recycling bin. Start the paper recycling action in your working organization.
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3. BIOMASS - Energy of nature!

Biomass consists of biodegradable parts of general waste and waste generated by farming & foresting industries, or industrial and communal waste that can be used as fuel.

Biomass doesn't pollute - Serbia can realize nearly 30 percent of its energy requirements with the use of biomass technology.

Biomass is a renewable source of energy, nearly inexhaustible.

Biomass doesn't contribute to the global warming, wood, for an example is a completely natural material. By combusting the waste wood no extra carbon dioxide is released into atmosphere.

Biomass technology doesn't require additional tree-cutting because the biomass briquettes consist entirely of waste and industrially unusable wood.

Also, when it comes to biomass, by simply combusting the wooden waste material, we prevent further sulfur dioxide emission in the atmosphere. High concentration of sulfur dioxide creates the harmful acid rain and other acidic forms of precipitation that are extremely harmful to people, plants, aquatic animals and infrastructure.

4. WIND ENERGY

"Notos Wind Energy" is an alternative energy developer that specializes in producing electricity with the power of wind. With a strategic plan and the appropriate alliances now in place, Notos is preparing to begin the development phase of its program. There are great regional differences in the availability of wind energy in Serbia and significant differences are present even at small distances. The availability of wind energy in Serbia is greater in lower areas than in higher ones. The Northern part of Serbia is characterized by a strong local southeast wind – košava.

Notos D.O.O. is an energy company that is determined to make a difference – we are dedicated to increasing the world’s collective consciousness of our environment. Notos Wind is developing clean forms of electricity through wind energy, and Notos Power is ensuring that the people of Serbia receive the power necessary for their daily lives. Notos Wind Energy is the only green electricity company that is committed to this renewable energy sector. Our mandate is to help Serbia develop into a thriving and self-sufficient nation, while leading the way through alternative energy production. The company plans to invest over 20 million euros in the wind energy in Serbia during the 2008-2009 period.

"Electric energy is omnipresent, it is inexhaustible and it can run all machines in the World, without the need for coal, oil, gas or any other conventional fuel." - Nikola Tesla

5. EAT LOCAL SEASONAL ORGANIC FOOD!

6. BUY A CARRYING BAG

Serbia is suffocating in the estimated billion and a half plastic bags that we discard every year. Plastic bag that we use for 20 minutes most, take a whole milennium to degrade into soil.

7. PLANT A TREE

It is simply beautiful. Imagine that you have your own tree! We would think twice before cutting trees if each inhabitant of the Planet planted his own.

8. REDUCE WATER USAGE

Drinking water is becoming a scarce resource, since we keep wasting and polluting it.

50% of the available water in the World is polluted!!

Close the tap while brushing your teeth. That way you will save 2 liters of drinking water per day, that is 730 liters per year or, to put in other words over 3,000,000,000 liters of water for the entire Serbia.
By washing dished with your hands you spend more water than a dish washing machine.

9. RATIONAL HOUSEHOLD ENERGY USE

Reduction of import dependence
Opens possibilities for the use of different energy sources
Reducing the impact on the environment, notably the reduction of CO2 emissions

Light bulbs don't happen to consume huge amounts of energy, but during the long period they can save us huge amounts of money. If each of 3.000.000 Serbian households used one 75W-or-less light bulb, we could save 36.000$ daily on the imports which is more than a million dollars each per month!

Average household uses a large number of appliances that consume energy. Water heater, washing machine, stove, refrigerator, toaster, hair dryer, air conditioner, dish washer, light emitting devices, computer, TV, radiator, heaters...

When you look for a device or household appliance, check for the "Energy Star" label. These devices are built and programmed to save energy. This way you will reduce your energy usage and further costs we all look to avoid. Right?

HELPFUL TIPS ON ENERGY USAGE

Conservation of energy is essential, because excessive, reckless use of natural resources degrade our own habitat and natural environment.

ENERGY LABELS OF THE HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCES

They help you make a right choice.

(Republic of Serbia Agency for Energy Efficiency)

The need for energy conservation is so important that the whole European Union is regulated by law that all new electrical equipment and household appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines and dryers, furnaces, air conditioners, etc., must have a label showing the energy grade of average electricity consumption of devices or appliances.

Energy efficiency classes are marked with letters "A" to "G", where "A" stands for most energy efficient devices.

Energy class "G" is marked with the longest arrow and stands for devices with the highest energy usage.

Take an example, washing machine or an air-conditioner that is marked with energy class "A", uses 30% less energy than the same device in the "C" energy class.

Domestic legal regulations do not require the energy labeling for the majority of products in our market but some still follow the European law, and by using these indicators you will make the right choice!

Manufacturers have improved energy efficiency above those that require legislation, so that some devices next to the arrow "A" grade are marked "A +", "A +" or "AA" "AAA". Domestic legal regulations do not require the energy labeling for the majority of products in our market but some still follow the European law, and by using these indicators you will make the right choice!

If the appliance doesn't have the energy label sticker, ask your salesman to look it up in the manual. Even more, if the manual lacks the information on energy class, try considering other manufacturers. If the device practically eats your energy, it will cost you more over the long period.

ELECTRONIC APPLIANCES

Most of these use 40%-70% of total energy when put to "STANDBY", so called rest when turned off via the remote control.

SHUT THEM DOWN WITH THE ON/OFF BUTON WHEN YOU LEAVE YOUR PLACE - IT IS MUCH SAFER AND CHEAPER!!!

HEATING

Each degree is a 5% saving in your energy bill
Reduce the temperature on your thermostat when you go to sleep or leave your apartment.
Use timers to turn devices on when the electricity is cheaper. Also, use light detectors that switch on only when somebody is present in the room.
Test the walls with the candle. Holes that remain in your walls will make the flame jitter, thus indicating the presence of cold air. Shut them with silicone or any other insulator.
Close the doors, windows, and put rubber isolators everywhere. They will last for 10 years and you will benefit after the first electric bill.
If you have old, weary windows, take some old newspapers, roll them up so that window clasp them tight. Pull your shades down, spread the curtains in order to prevent the heat to escape your room. In the morning, open your widows to accumulate sun energy.
Turn the heating only in the rooms you use. If possible, buy windows with good isolation or double-glass insulation.
If it's extremely cold out there, consider covering window glass with styrofoam or polystyrene. Don't put thermostat sensors directly on the wall surface, that way they will fail to detect the real temperature in the room.
Isolated walls save 30% of energy.
Plant the trees in order to lower the direct Sun exposure or to prevent the cold winds hitting directly in your house.

COOLING

Roll the blinds and spread the curtains to reduce the direct sun exposure during the day, and open them during the night to let the cold air into your room.
If the external part of the air conditioner stay in the shade it spends 10% less energy. Avoid positioning thermostat sensor near the light bulbs and other energy sources or heaters.
Cool down the rooms you inhabit only. Use the fan with your air conditioner it will help you improve the cooling efficiency.
The difference between the outer temperature and interior one must not surpass 5 degrees celsius.
Air conditioners contribute to the global warming problem, so they cool you down now but will make you sweat more in 40 years or less. Our advice is to go out, find a river, it's fun.
Plant trees correctly and they will provide you with a host of values over a long life.

LIGHTING

Turn off the lights in the rooms you don't use.
Use different types of incandescent light bulbs, you don't need 100W lighting in every room!
It is more efficient to use one stronger lightbulb than several smaller.
Use energy-saving light bulbs (mini-fluorescent & electro-luminescent types) because they use 3 to 4 times less electric energy than the regular ones, but last 15 times more.
Use the movement detectors in the backyard so the light will turn on only when movement is detected.

COOKING

Pressure cooker reduce the cooking time from 1 hour to 10 minutes!!!
Pressure cooker preserves energy, time (money) and preserves nutrients in your food.
Put the lid on top of the pot, it will reduce the time and energy needed to cook your food.
Use the separate compartments in the oven to make more different meals in one session. That way you save time, electricity and money.
Don't open the oven too often, because that way you release the heat out and prolong the time of cooking.
Go to the markets, buy measured food, don't use too much wrapping material you don't need because that way we just make more waste and mess.

BATHING

If you set your water heater to 60 C it will reduce the scale.
De-scale your heater every 18 months.
With one bathing you can spend as much hot water that could be used to take a shower three times.
So prefer shower over bath.
Circulating water heater spends uses more energy than the regular one.

VACUUMING

Clear your apartment before vacuuming. If you previously reorder stuff in your room you won't have to do it while the vacuum cleaner is working.

IRONING

Prior to ironing, sort your laundry in groups, first the one that needs the least temperature, then all the other.
Prepare all you need for ironing so you don't have to do it while the iron is working.
Before ironing, make sure that the laundry isn't too wet or too dry, because in each case ironing will take more time than usual.

REFRIGERATOR

Don't store warm food in the refrigerator.
Don't open the fridge too often. (this advice works on so many levels..)
Put your food in cases with closed lids, that way you will prevent the ice forming on your refrigerator walls/interior. Also, you will save considerable amount of money.
If, however, ice appears in your fridge, clean it regularly and check the rubber isolations on the fridge doors.

DISH WASHING

Wash the dishes directly after the meal, other way you will more hot water and detergent.
Wash your dishes with hot water, but rinse them with cold.
You can fill the kitchen sink with hot water and dip all plates into it.
Use the dish washing machine only when you pile considerable amount of dirty dishes.
Machine uses much less energy than washing the dishes manually.
Dish washer uses more energy to dry dishes than to actually wash them.
Best way to dry the dishes is to let them dry in the room temperature.
Don't use the circulating water heater, because it uses far more energy than the regular water heater.

LAUNDRY

Washing machine will consume most energy when washing the underwear, that is to say when working at highest temperature 95 degrees celsius.
Use washing machine only when there is enough laundry to fill it.
Use short washing programs.
Putting too much softener will slow down the washing and prolong the energy usage. The laundry will have to rinse several times and will eventually wear out.

WATER

Don't play with water. Check all the loose water pipes and close the tap while brushing your teeth.

TRANSPORT

Try walking whenever possible, it's the only way to make your metabolism and digestive system function proper. Use bicycle for outdoor activities.
Use the public transport.
If you own a car, use it only when needed. Choose green energy with cars that run on gas or biodiesel.
Turn off car engine while waiting for the green light or idling more than 20 seconds.
Lead from the exhaust gasses damages your respiratory system, brain functions and severely damage IQ especially with the children.

SMART BUY

Let's not buy more than we need.
Buy goods with prolonged lifetime.
Avoid products with extra packaging/wrapping.
Buy recycled products.
Whenever possible, buy domestic goods.

10. Use detergents which are not phosphate-based, as well as safe cleaning products instead of dangerous chemicals!

11. Participate!!

Join the actions of the nongovernmental environmental organizations. Talk with your kids and friends about the waste management issue and natural preservation.