Visit our new online store at www.watersavingproducts.ie. Check out all our great water and energy saving products. We also have a home ventilation section that offers solutions to problems like mould mildue and condensation building up in your home or business. Visit the new winter protection products section and prepare your home or business for winter. If you cant find something you require or would like to request a tradeprice drop us a mail to info@smartenergysystems.ie or call 087 2923957 or 0818288050 and we will help you in any way we can.
New Online shop Launched !! www.watersavingproducts.ie
Posted by admin on December 12, 2011
1 comments
Mould and mildue growing on your walls? Dampness? Condensation?
Posted by admin on December 12, 2011
None comments
The Drimaster positive input ventilation system is a unique product that improves air quality in your home. Drimaster is easy to install unlike other home ventilation systems and costs as little as 1.5cent a day to run.
Poor indoor air quality can lead to problems like condensation, dust mites, mould and can also contribute to health conditions like asthma, allergies and arthritis.
Drimaster is the most cost effective way of creating a healthy living environment in your home. It will reduce the air moisture content to a healthy 50%-60% leading to improved air quality. Drimaster will also help reducing any build up of poisonous gases such as carbon monoxide and will reduce radon gas levels to the National recommended reference level of 200bmq3.
for more information contact us info@smartenergysystems.ie or call us on 087 2923957 or 0818288050
Hackers ‘hit’ US water treatment systems
Posted by admin on November 22, 2011
None comments
Hackers are alleged to have destroyed a pump used to pipe water to thousands of homes in a US city in Illinois.
Hackers with access to the utility’s network are thought to have broken the pump by turning it on and off quickly.
The FBI and Department for Homeland Security (DHS) are investigating the incident as details emerge of what could be a separate second attack.
Experts said the news revealed a growing interest in critical infrastructure by cyber criminals.
Information about the 8 November incident came to light via the blog of Joe Weiss who advises utilities on how to protect hardware against attack.
Mr Weiss quoted from a short report by the Illinois Statewide Terrorism and Intelligence Center which said hackers obtained access using stolen login names and passwords. These were taken from a company which writes control software for industrial systems.
The net address through which the attack was carried out was traced to Russia, according to Mr Weiss. The report said “glitches” in the remote access system for the pump had been noticed for months before the burn out, said Mr Weiss.
Iran’s nuclear programme has been slowed by a virus targeting industrial control systemsPeter Boogaard, A spokesman for the DHS, said it was gathering facts about the incident.
“At this time there is no credible corroborated data that indicates a risk to critical infrastructure entities or a threat to public safety,” he said.
Industrial action
The comments by the DHS prompted a hacker using the handle “pr0f” to claim he had access to the control systems for a second US water utility.
He posted a document to the Pastebin website which purportedly contained links to screenshots of the internal control systems for a waste water treatment plant in South Houston.
The hacker’s claims about their ability to penetrate the control systems have yet to be confirmed or denied by South Houston’s Water and Sewer Department.
In an interview with the Threat Post website, Pr0f said the hack of the South Houston network barely deserved the name because only a three-character password had been used to protect the system.
The attacks are the latest in a series in which different hackers and groups have targeted so called Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems. These specialised computer systems are used to control equipment used to filter water, mix chemicals, distribute power and route trains and trams.
One of the best known SCADA attacks involved the Stuxnet worm which caused problems for Iran.
There were reports that the malware crippled centrifuges used in the nation’s uranium enrichment program. Iran denied the claims saying that it had caught the worm before it reached its intended target.
Earlier this year, security researchers who investigated ways to attack SCADA systems were persuaded to cancel a public talk about their findings because of the “serious physical, financial impact these issues could have on a worldwide basis”.
Lani Kass, a former advisor to the US Joint Chiefs of Staff on security issues, said America had to start doing more work to understand attacks on critical infrastructure.
“The going in hypothesis is always that it’s just an incident or coincidence,” she said. “And if every incident is seen in isolation, it’s hard – if not impossible – to discern a pattern or connect the dots.”
“Failure to connect the dots led us to be surprised on 9/11,” she said.
Water scarcity overtakes global warming as top environmental concern
Posted by admin on September 7, 2011
None comments
Water pollution and water supply issues have overtaken global warming as a top environmental concern, according to a new report.
Data gathered by global information and measurement provider Nielsen as part of its 2011 Global Online Environment & Sustainability survey, revealed that worldwide concern for global warming had slipped in priority with global consumers from 72% in 2007 to 66% in 2009. In contrast, issues such as water and air pollution have been rated as a higher priority with three out of four global consumers rating them as top concerns at 75% and 77% respectively.
The survey, which polled more than 25,000 respondents in 51 countries throughout Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, Africa and North America between 23 March and 12 April 2011, also discovered the fastest growing worldwide concern was over water shortages at 75%, the use of pesticides% and packaging waste both at 73%, a rise of around 15% on the 2007 figures.
According to the findings, the top environmental concerns among Asia Pacific consumers included water shortages and air pollution, while water pollution was the main concern for Latin American, Middle East and Africans, Europe and North America.
In addition, American consumers showed the largest decline in concern about climate change and global warming, with just 48% of American respondents saying that they were concerned about the issue, compared to around 62% in 2007.
In contrast, 90% of Latin American and 80% of Middle Eastern and African respondents said they were concerned about the issue of global warming, compared to around 68% of European respondents.
University of Oxford’s, senior visiting research associate, Dr. Maxwell T. Boykoff, said there are many possible reasons for declines in concern about climate change and global warming.
He said: “Focus on immediate worries such as job security, local school quality, crime and economic well-being have all diminished media attention for climate stories in the past two years. In the face of other pressing concerns, a public ‘caring capacity’ for climate change has been tested.”
Meanwhile, Nielsen’s president Arturo Garcia said the change in attitude in Latin American can be attributed to the number of “distressing and impactful environmental events over the last several years.
“People are expressing clear concern about unusual weather patterns including increased rainfall, hurricanes, and floods in some parts of Latin America, and severe droughts in others.”
Water Products
Posted by admin on August 16, 2011
None comments
The water meter cometh
How water meters in Ireland are set to make a big change – as well as creating a new revenue stream for the local authorities.
It seems odd that in a country never short of rain, that we’re now having to face into domestic water charges. The EU law and directive seems to be related to “Polluter pays” and is directed at commercial water users more so than domestic users, as described by Article 9 of the EU Water Framework Directive.
However, it seems that as one of its last acts, the last Irish Government, via the largely defunct Green Party, introduced law that will see domestic water meter charges installed. A European survey demonstrates that domestic charges run from €200 to €700 per annum (in some places in Germany), with the greatest injustice that 30 – 70% of water is lost in the pipe work that carries it to the house.
The planet is covered in water – some 70% of the surface area. The problem isn’t a lack of water – it’s a lack of clean, drinking water that isn’t contaminated. Collecting, storing, cleaning and distributing this water in sealed pipes is where the cost is and the government see fit to begin charging on consumption.
So where does that leave consumers?
Clearly Ireland is keen on being environmentally friendly – and water conservation is already a major part of everyday life for many. Now, in the constant struggle against rising government charges like water and property taxes, rising global energy costs, consumers need to protect against waste in every way. Lower usage and waste requires less cost to build more hydro storage facilities.
The top ways to save water couldn’t be more simple:
Toilets get flushed all of the time – but the cisterns were designed long before water shortages could ever be imagined. By using a simple technology like Hippo bags, the cistern loads faster and uses less water – saving on noise pollution and water wastage.
Tap Aerators use air to give water wider dispersion – you can still enjoy your shower but save on adding to that costly water charge.
Leaks. Not only are leaks dangerous to property but now they can add an enormous second cost via the meter. Leak detection tablets can help reduce and identify minor leaks and leak detecting equipment can help during times of larger leaks caused by frozen pipes.
To help houses maximse on water conservation, we’ve designed a set of water saving packs that will help householders and businesses move up a gear. By water-proofing your house this year, you’ll avoid the double charge of having water meters to pay next year while you opt to water proof then, thus halving the cost of two years for an immediate ROI once they’re in place.
€5.5m upgrade of Limerick’s water supply network
Posted by admin on August 12, 2011
None comments
RESIDENTS in Ballinacurra Weston, Prospect and parts of Garryowen have received a major boost with confirmation that the Government has approved a multi-million euro plan to upgrade the water supply network in the three areas.
More than 7km of water mains are to be replaced as part of the project along with more than 19km of water pipes which are located on private property.
The works, which will cost €5.5m to complete, are expected to begin early next year once contractors are appointed.
Dave Keane, senior engineer with Limerick City Council, says the works will reduce the amount of leaks in the water system and will resolve problems with water pressure which have been experienced by some residents in recent years.
The upgrade works will facilitate the decommissioning of more that 19.4km of lead pipes – some of which were installed more than a century ago.
The works are expected to last around 18 months once they begin.
WATER METERS ARE A NECESSITY
Posted by admin on August 11, 2011
2 comments
It is all but certain that water meters will now be rolled out across the country over the next couple of years, and all I can say is, it’s not before time.
Can you imagine not having to pay for your Gas or Oil? Why should water be any different?
I only hope that the government set out a strategic road map for this project and ensure it is carried out correctly. Introducing a flat rate charge will not help water conservation or help identify the major leaks in the domestic connections, meters and data is the only way these can be identified and repaired.
Looking at other European Countries where water charges are in place its clear to see water charges help substantially reduce household water use. People would also be proactive in conservation methods, such as using Rain Water Butts for Harvesting Water and installing water saving products such as; water displacement devices, aerators, water saving shower heads, etc…
Water is precious so we need to look after it. Reduce and Recycle.
Saving money on your energy bills by reducing your energy usage
Posted by admin on May 25, 2011
None comments
You can save money by reducing your bills and moving to cheaper energy providers. The Irish Energy Regulator has recently opened up the consumer energy market after attracting a number of Energy providers into competition. This affects business and consumers equally.
Either way, you can further reduce your expenses through the smarter use of energy. Modern products are designed to use much less energy than they did 10 years ago, but leaving them on all the time is still wasteful.
The Energy Monitoring Socket will measure the energy used by devices connected to it by day, week or year. Just how much energy is your iPhone or Macbook using up and how much is it costing you?
The Standby Saver – As seen on Dragons Den – saves electricity when your TV or PC is put into standby mode. Standby Mode energy Saving reduces the energy used by devices in standby mode and uses Infra-red and USB
The Wireless Electricity Monitor is a wireless electricity saving device which will help up to 20% on your domestic electricity consumption through greater awareness alone!
Summer Works Scheme 2011
Posted by admin on April 5, 2011
None comments
The Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills is pleased to announce details of the Summer Works Scheme for 2011 and to invite applications under the Scheme in accordance with the terms of this Circular Letter.
The purpose of the Summer Works Scheme is to devolve funding to individual school authorities to undertake small-scale building works which, ideally, can be carried out during the summer months or at other times that avoid disrupting the operation of the school. Under the terms of the Scheme, school authorities are empowered to manage these works with guidance from, and minimal interaction, with the Department.
Funding for small scale projects will be allocated in accordance with the prioritisation criteria attaching to the Scheme which, in the normal course, include the ability to have the works carried out during the summer. However, in certain circumstances, the Department may allocate funding to further projects later in the year where these can be carried out without disruption to the operation of the school. If this arises, the terms and conditions of the Scheme will continue to apply when allocating funding to such projects.
Under the 2011 Scheme, schools may apply for one small scale project only.
Details of the terms and conditions attaching to the application are contained in part 2 of this Circular Letter.
The closing date for receipt of all applications under this Scheme is 21 January 2011.
For full details click the link below
http://www.education.ie/home/home.jsp?pcategory=22132&ecategory=55796&language=EN
Opening of 53 Million Euro Dairy Equipment and Rainwater Harvesting Schemes
Posted by admin on March 3, 2011
None comments
The Ministry for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food confirm that the Dairy Equipment and the Rainwater Harvesting Schemes will open for applications on Tuesday 1 March 2011.
Both schemes are provided for in Ireland’s Rural Development Programme and are intended to remain open for applications until end-2013.
Under the terms of the Programme, €45 million is being made available for the Dairy Equipment Scheme with a further €8 million being provided for the Rainwater Harvesting Scheme.
Under the terms of the Rural Development Programme, the Dairy Equipment Scheme will provide grant-aid for milking machine equipment and milk storage and cooling equipment, at a standard grant-rate of 40 per cent up to a maximum grant level.
The Rainwater Harvesting Scheme will also provide grant-aid at a standard grant-rate of 40 per cent up to a maximum grant level for the installation of rainwater collection tanks and ancillary items.
Under the terms of both Schemes, selection criteria will be applied in order to determine those applications which will proceed to the approval stage.
Read the full press release on the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food website
Source: Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
