Sustainable Ventilation in the Buildings of Public and Semi-Public Organizations: A Case Study in Lithuania

This study examines the challenges and opportunities in implementing smart ventilation systems in public and semi-public organizations’ buildings, framing them as transformative for achieving sustainability goals. Public organizations in Lithuania face significant hurdles in maintaining hygiene standards and ensuring suitable indoor environmental conditions. Aging infrastructure further complicates these efforts, requiring substantial investments for adopting smart ventilation solutions. This research aims to investigate the factors influencing the adoption of solutions, which may lead to sustainability goal implementation in Lithuania. A theoretical framework was constructed, using systemic and comparative literature analysis methods; a quantitative analysis (telephone-based survey with 203 respondents) provided insights into the current state of ventilation systems and the demand for smart solutions. The survey addressed four areas: current ventilation system use, ventilation challenges, awareness of automated systems, and plans for future improvements. The findings reveal widespread dissatisfaction with existing systems, with respondents citing poor air quality, inconsistent temperatures, and inefficiencies as critical challenges. Larger buildings and high-occupancy spaces exhibit the greatest demand for smart solutions, but financial barriers, particularly high initial costs, remain a significant obstacle. This research highlights the potential of automated ventilation systems to address these issues, improve energy efficiency, and support sustainability goals. Tailored financial incentives, educational initiatives, and scalable solutions are essential for enabling the effective implementation of smart ventilation systems in Lithuania’s public organizations.