In today’s business ambiance, background checks among interested applicants in various business establishments, especially those that have high and strict standards, is of the essence to secure the interest of the company as well as to verify whether jobseekers are capable enough to handle the positions they are applying for. Furthermore, it is one of the effective ways on how to find out if interested candidates are reliable and can bring benefits rather than problems with regard to the operation of the company.

An employment background check most often involves basic information which would include the date of birth of the applicant, the previous work experiences if there are any, prior employers, and sometimes including references if being requested. Then again, even if the checking involves fundamental information, it cannot furnish the employers with everything they would want to know about a certain applicant, but such quantity of information can already give the employers a decisive factor whether to hire or to refuse a jobseeker.

The checking is definitely imperative in the success of a business company especially if a certain application has to do with a sensitive position. But in general, most employers conduct a checking due to the imminent business climate nowadays.  It must be noted that the information that are being required in an employment check has its relation with the kind and nature of work that is being applied for. Say for instance, hiring a jobseeker with the criminal records can be risky if the work deals with children. In this case, the employer must be cautious to protect the welfare of the children. Those who had been convicted due to sexual harassment may prove disadvantageous especially if in the working place, there are a good number of female employees. Another one is if the application is for a construction worker, the applicant must furnish the employer with his medical history to check his physical fitness to do the job.  In addition to, employers must take extra effort to know that the applicants do not have a drug related problem for such condition may affect the office environment.

In lined with the idea that prevention is better than cure, such background check leaves the employers the peace of mind that among the interested applicants to be hired in their company, they have made the right decisions in the hiring process.

What are your habits of energy use at home?

The survey we propose, together with laboratory studies, users tests and field observations, aims at the development of the EnergyLife Software (by BeAware).

EnergyLife allows the user to control the level of energy consumption of each single appliance by mobile phone, thus improving the management of one’s own energy consumption. The system is currently being tested in 8 households in Europe: your answers (anonymous) will provide additional information to improve the system. The survey requires about 10 minutes to fill in, and you can find it following this link, in 4 different languages:

 

www.energyawareness.eu/beaware/research/survey.

 

EnergyLife has been developed by European research project "Beaware” (Boosting Energy Awareness), which lasts 3 years (May 2009-2011) and is carried out by a consortium of European partners including the Human Technology Lab, Dept. of General Psychology, University of Padova (htlab.psy.unipd.it) that promotes - among other things - this online survey.

Further information, downloadable material and the updated description of current activities of the consortium can be found at www.energyawareness.eu. A recent television report presenting the project was broadcasted by Euronews and you can watch it on the Internet following the link (http://www.euronews.net/2010/02/12/energy-saving/).

Here's mine.

A lot of hype, no details.

http://www.cleantechblog.com/2010/02/saving-cleantech-bloom-town-silicon.html

Home heating efficiency what can be done ?

Home heating systems transfer energy from a fuel into the home. Fuel costs money. The more energy is needed the more fuel is burned and subsequently the more expense is incurred. Lowering the demand for energy reduces expenses. Heating system efficiency is the measure of how well the boiler or furnace transfer the energy from the fuel into the water or air. The heating system efficiency never takes into account whether there is a need for heat that is the responsibility of the thermostat.  In general the heating system has two speeds on and off. Imagine a car that has no accelerator only two speeds standing still and 60 MPH. 

The size of the heating system installed in a home is determined by the square footage of the home and the lowest outside temperature that could be experienced in the homes geographic location.  The size of the system determines how much fuel it burns when it is on.  The larger the size of the heating system the more fuel it will burn and the more it will cost to operate it.

Insulation and smart thermostats are a great ways to reduce energy consumption and increase comfort in the home. The Geo Einstein works as an adjunct to the smart thermostat and high efficiency boilers.   Energy usage optimization requires a complete system approach. The GEO Einstein product adds value to the home owner by bridging the intelligence gap between the thermostat and the boiler.

Theory of operation

 

The GEO Einstein is an intelligent control system that is installed in the electrical path between the aquastat and ignition of the boiler. The GEO Einstein is installed in such a way as to only allow it to interrupt the ignition. It can never initiate ignition.

GEO Einstein saves fuel by holding off the burning of fuel when it is not needed.

When is the burning of fuel not needed?

·         When the home is unoccupied less fuel can be consumed by allowing the home temperature to vary in larger amounts than the thermostat will allow.

·         When the home is drawing small amounts of energy from the heating system. When the draw of the home is small because the heating system can maintain the desired heat level with a lower aquastat temperature. 

Home occupancy sensor.

GEO Einstein uses two methods to detect occupancy.

Hot Water draw

GEO Einstein can determine that domestic hot water is used within the home.  Hot water is used throughout the day when a home is occupied.  Hot water is consumed when the home occupants wash their hands, shower, wash clothes, wash dishes etc. If no hot water is drawn within the home for a programmable period of time ( 1- 36 hours) then GEO Einstein declares the home unoccupied and initiates its energy saving mode of operation. The hot water draw method of presence detects a long period of inactivity.

Wireless presence sensor

GEO Einstein provides an optional key bunch dongles. The dongle looks much like an automobile wireless key entry. The dongles connect to the GEO Einstein controller via a Wireless link. When all the dongles are no longer in wireless range of the Einstein controller 100 ft the Einstein system initiates its energy savings mode.  This allows the GEO Einstein to react quickly to the home occupants coming and going.  The system supports multiple dongles. Only when all dongles are not visible does the system declare the home unoccupied. The quick reaction of the system and the automatic entry and exit of energy saving mode will reduce energy consumption.  

 

Load demand

The GEO Einstein FS system monitors the temperature of the water entering and leaving the boiler.  The difference between those temperatures is equivalent to the amount of energy transferred into the home.  The amount of energy transferred is not simply the difference in temperature but rather a more complex relationship  based on the number of heating zones being heated , the size of the home, the volume of water in the heating system, the outside temperature , amount of insulation etc… Geo Einstein uses an innovative method to compute in real time the amount of energy transferred to the home that takes into account all the factors mentioned.  Once Einstein computes the load it tracks the load behavior. If the load is seen to increase or is large, Einstein does not interfere and the heating system delivers all the energy it can to the home. If Einstein sees that the load is small or decreasing then the heating system is sending too much energy into the home. It is at this point that the GEO Einstein enters energy saving mode.  The GEO system constantly monitors the load and reacts quickly (within seconds) to any changes.  This operation of the GEO system is automatic and requires no intervention by the home owner or service people.

 

Energy Savings Mode

When the GEO Einstein system enters energy savings mode it lowers the maximum temperature that the boiler can reach.  Fuel is saved by keeping the boiler at a lower temperature. When the boiler temperature is kept at a lower temperature the GEO Einstein system continually monitors the amount of energy drawn by the home. When the system determines that the home needs more energy it allows the boiler temperature to return to its natural level. This process happens automatically. The decision to lower the boiler temperature or allow it to rise adjusts itself to the number of heating zones demanding energy and to changes in the outdoor temperature.

Find out more on what we do

Contact us at

Green Energy Optimizers

http://www.GreenEnergyOptimizers.com

1 (877) GEO- 5650

The internet is a huge development for humankind if I may say so. It’s really some sort of a milestone for us to have this kind of technology that aids us in more ways than one. There’s business and leisure on the net, education and shopping, and of course networking sites that help you keep in touch with loved ones, friends and relatives.

Years before we would not have imagined that this kind of “thing” would be possible. But the human brain apparently keeps evolving and continued to search for a perfect tool to do lots of things for them in a very convenient manner. Now we can do almost anything we could ever imagine on the internet.

I say, those who have thought of this concept must be real geniuses. I mean how can one be so out in the open searching on those huge search engines while having the luxury of keeping their privacy? It’s really good they have thought of their mini-background checks by way of asking for a password of some sort.  Otherwise lots of people would really get annoyed at a mess or a disaster  that’s just waiting to happen with all the unorganized stuff piling up on their net space let alone keep track of information because there would be no way to identify who-owns-what. And just think, the internet keeps expanding and branching out to cater to different needs and to various groups.

For instance, business transacted on the internet could be quite stressful in that one is not fully aware of what he is getting himself into. So aside from the client doing some background check on the company he is planning to have a transaction with, the company will, in turn, have a thorough assessment on that particular client as well. So devising a method for security on both client and service-provider is a genius thing to do. So security on the net isn’t just something you have for yourself but something that you also impart with others and perhaps, this is how trust is actually gained on the internet. This is not only true for big-time transactions but with even the simplest interactions made via the internet such as the networking sites that are becoming so popular and so widely-used as of today and online shopping (which is also a better option for some in contrast with the real feat where one has to really walk and go through several aisles to pick an item. Who would, after all, not want to just sit in the comfort of their own homes while doing their shopping with just their fingers?)

So we see the internet has really become a household item (well at least for those who can afford to have internet in their homes). It is fast becoming a necessity for people of varying ages and occupations—kids, young adults, young professionals, elderly people, housewives, fathers, celebrities, just name it and they would most probably than not, have good use for the internet. And we continue to look out for its latest development like parents anticipating a milestone in their kids’ lives. Who knows, we might, once again, be left in awe at one of man’s greatest achievement that is the internet.

In doing a background check on the ages of persons during old ages, the bible has given us information that people have the potential of living over a hundred years and more so than that. Living for a long time at present seems like only for a lucky few although it is obvious that they are weaker compared to how ancient scripts have described the old ones. These are due to the food we presently eat, the environment we live in, and the stress that every day brings.

BBC News, last October 9, 2009, released a story about the quest to stop aging after 50 years of age. The said age is the start when the body tends to feel ailments and bones become weaker. Their aim to stop the clock for people is to give them new inner parts like bones and organs that may keep them younger—plus the fact that it would keep also rebuild on its own (solving the problem with transplant rejection). This idea may be similar to the one in Bicentennial man where a humanoid invented organs to help in medical transplant instead of wanting to have a lasting life).

Ideas of regaining a lasting life, especially that of keeping the younger look compared to the age may be one of the many wants man is aiming for. Youth has always been associated with strength both of physical and mental. The story presented by BBC manifests the ideas presented in some of the Sci Fi stories that today’s technological era gives where replacing or even regenerating body parts to regain the look and strength is done medically, the fairytales that are usually told in bedtime stories gives us this idea through magic amulets that rejuvenates beauty and power or the very famous fountain of youth which brings back youthfulness once a person drink its waters.

The ideas of getting back at age from the wrinkles and brittleness that time gives is a hopeful idea to live longer and better. One reason is the fear of death. Another reason is the want to do more things mainly because they enjoy life. Unfortunately the want to live longer and stay young is being thwarted by man’s hardheadedness in following what should be observed: proper diet and clean living.

If we try to think back on ancient years, even before the time of Christ, men never had sodas to drink nor preserved foods to eat. They don’t have cars and factories that contribute to air pollution and the technology has not kept us inside the house where we just sit and not move much. In other words, life back then was pretty healthier.

There may be no medical discoveries that help cure illnesses, then again there are no reason for such ailments, like what we have presently, come about. This is but another fact that made life longer those days. Pollution bring about a lot of problems in health, even the food we eat produces poison and allergens. The body is kept strong with good and healthy food not to mention the way of labor was manual, even with their travels; people walk instead of riding cars while computers and vacuum cleaners are not used to do documents or keep the place clean.

What keeps youthfulness for keeps is healthy lifestyle: Eating a balance diet of fruits, vegetable and lean meat without the preservatives and exercise. We have depended so much on technology that even kids prefer to stay indoors in front of the television or play games with computers. The result of background check in man’s present way of living is definitely a big impact on keeping our lives, even over eighty. This is the fact brought to us by our want to stay young and to live long.

Seems like the verdict is all over the place. Thoughts?

http://www.whatswiththeclimate.org/2009/11/29/brand-iit-and-iim-grab-lion%E2%80%99s-share-of-awards-at-the-al-gore-sustainable-technology-venture-competition%E2%84%A2-2009-at-iit-kharagpur-november-6-7/

 

How We Think In Western Society & What It Means for the Future, Part 1

The Scales -

The concept of a scale being used to weigh ideas is a metaphor that has existed for thousands of years and be found in cultures all over the World.

The idea of two scales being held by Justice – the Roman goddess of balance - has become a common symbol of equality in Law. It is the first image that comes to mind for many people when they consider the value of ideas. However, we need to understand that the image of the Scales is rooted in Dualism – the concept of the "either/or" argument. The Scales have two sides, so the ideas that go onto either side tend to be opposites.

We tend to think in "opposites". This way of thinking is expressed all around us: concepts in politics (Republicans OR Democrats), concepts in religions (Holy OR Evil), concepts in voting and opinions (For OR Against), the court system (Guilty OR Innocent), and the list goes on.

It is true that most things have an opposite. In Western thinking, we often assume that if the conditions for one situation aren't favorable, then the opposite must be true. Unfortunately this assumption has become commonplace in modern debates. As an example, Republicans and Democrats attempt to stonewall each other under the assumption that they must be opposed to everything the other party has proposed.

So what does this have to do with Environmentalism, Sustainability, and "Going Green"?

Generally speaking, when speaking of "global warming" the positions advanced are in the "either/or" mode of thought; you either are FOR the idea that global warming is happening, or you are AGAINST the idea that global warming is happening.

The trouble with arguing FOR or AGAINST global warming is that both sides feel the need to convince the other side they are wrong. As is too often the case, there is no compromise. Going even further, once a person or group has decided to support one side, they do everything they can to stop the opposing viewpoint.

A tremendous amount of time and energy has been spent arguing over the idea of global warming. Difficulties arise out of pride, out of bias, and out of viewing exceptions rather than inclusive ideas. Being for or against the idea of global warming often has more to do with underlying motives than reality. Motives come from perspective.

When it comes to preservation of the Environment, a person can do two things. They can either put their personal interests first for the sake of comfort and ease of living, or they can contribute to the overall well-being of humanity and the Earth. These are the choices to weigh on the Scales, the opposites in our dual way of thinking.

In future articles we will look at different aspects of how modern thinking has had a negative impact on the environment, and what we can do to shift that thinking towards more constructive attitudes.

Dear Fellow cleantech entrepreneur

A&NZSustain is developing the 2010 calendar and is seeking input from speakers, leaders, emergent companies, technologists and developers.

Visit anzsustain.com or email me gareth@anzsustain.com for more information.

Wishing you a prosperous and happy holiday season

Best regards

Gareth