The developments launched under the HungAIRy LIFE Integrated Project play a significant role in improving air quality in Pécs. The green program, ongoing for several years, covers several key areas. In addition to the smart parking system and the ongoing green space cadastre, a third pilot project focuses on building energy efficiency, which can be divided into two distinct parts. These are described below.

Assessing the Energy Consumption of Residential Buildings

The goal of the building energy sub-program is to identify opportunities to reduce energy consumption in residential buildings. For each building group, the construction technology and heating system are assessed. Based on these, calculations are made and recorded in a flowchart-like algorithm. This allows experts to track where each apartment building stands within a general modernization process and to identify further opportunities to improve their position on the "Pécs Energy Scale"—developed as part of the project—to achieve maximum energy savings.

As part of the project, a dedicated “LIFE Building Energy Efficiency” subpage will be launched on the city’s official website (pecs.hu), where the resulting energy database will be published. This database will show the energy classification of each building on the scale, along with possible modernization options for each category.

Residents and other interested parties will be able to view a building’s classification and related information simply by scanning a QR code displayed at the entrance. This feature could be particularly useful during property transactions.

The sub-program is progressing well. Beyond the development of the website, only minor refinements from clients and experts remain.

Improving Indoor Air Quality in Public Institutions

The other project focuses on setting up a monitoring system to measure and evaluate indoor air quality in Pécs’s institutional buildings, and to develop appropriate “ventilation protocols” based on the findings. For data collection and analysis, the project selected educational institutions in Pécs where proper indoor air quality (optimal temperature, humidity, CO₂ and particulate matter levels) is especially important for the well-being of students and staff.

Six institutions were selected: three in renovated buildings and three in non-renovated ones, located either in the city center or in nearby areas known for poorer air quality.

Air quality sensors will be installed in each of these six institutions. These devices use color codes to indicate current air quality levels. Additionally, each building will be equipped with one external sensor to compare outdoor and indoor air quality data. Based on the sensor data, specialists will then create customized “ventilation protocols.”

However, this project is currently delayed. The open procurement procedure announced in October last year did not receive any bids by the deadline. As a result, a new tender must be issued with revised technical specifications.

Source: pecsma.hu (Dávid Pernecker)