F.A. and his family recently completed a major renovation in their multi-unit family house in Budapest. Although they had already gone through two renovations in previous years — including a holiday home refurbished with the help of a general contractor — this most recent project was different. They chose to organise the work themselves in order to save money, coordinate the teams directly, and make decisions independently. In practice, however, this made the process significantly slower and more complicated.

Finding reliable specialists became one of the biggest challenges. Several contractors were unavailable for weeks, others cancelled at the last minute, and in one case, a dry construction team delayed the start date for five weeks before finally announcing on-site that they would not take the job after all. By that point, replacing them was extremely difficult, and the team that eventually completed the task delivered only mediocre work. While no serious financial damage occurred, the uncertainty and constant rescheduling created long delays and considerable stress.

FA and his partner did not qualify for any renovation-related financial support. Available programmes were limited to rural areas, and no relevant urban schemes were accessible to them. What they would have appreciated most is not only financial help but also professional guidance — someone who could oversee the full renovation plan and ensure that the chosen solutions were technically sound. For parts of the project, they relied on an architect friend who had previously worked with them and could offer advice, but coordinating the renovation without a general contractor required a great deal of planning and regular problem-solving.

If additional funding were available, FA would prioritise energy-related upgrades: replacing the ageing boiler with a more efficient system, installing solar panels, improving exterior insulation, and continuing to replace the remaining outdated windows. As he puts it, these would significantly reduce the home’s energy loss and long-term costs, but after the recent renovation, they do not have the budget to continue.

The house itself is a small four-unit building shared between two families, with major decisions made jointly. In principle, they could apply for building-level support, but no practical scheme exists that fits their situation. Because FA did not previously live in this apartment, he cannot compare energy bills before and after the renovation, and the current utility costs are based on flat-rate billing, making a precise assessment difficult.

Reflecting on the process, FA believes that large renovations are far easier when a reliable general contractor is involved. Without one, homeowners must read extensively, consult people with experience, and carefully coordinate each task. For them, the budget ultimately aligned with their most pessimistic expectations — a reminder that renovation costs almost always rise, even with careful planning.

His advice to others is to seek out trusted specialists, plan for delays, and consider professional oversight whenever possible. And above all, he highlights the value of experience: the knowledge gained from previous projects helped them navigate this one, but it also reinforced how important it is to have a clear plan, a supportive team, and realistic expectations about time, cost, and complexity.

H.T. is a 23-year-old university student living in a family-owned apartment in Budapest’s 2nd district. He lives with his partner part of the year, while completing the final year of his studies in special education. The apartment has been gradually renovated over time, and one of the most significant improvements he carried out recently was replacing the outdated windows.

He is concerned about climate change and tries to incorporate environmentally conscious habits into daily life, though he is also realistic about the limits of individual impact. In his view, meaningful change depends largely on state-level regulation and corporate responsibility. At household level, he believes individuals can contribute, but these actions often feel more like personal reassurance than real climate impact. He is aware of some state renovation programmes, but has found them difficult to access due to lack of clear information and complicated procedures.

The apartment’s biggest problem used to be heat retention. The old windows were drafty and unable to keep the warmth inside, which resulted in cold rooms and high gas bills during the winter months. About a year ago, he decided it was time to replace them. The motivation was simple: the flat was uncomfortable, and heating was inefficient.

The window replacement happened in two phases. During a kitchen renovation, he replaced the window in that room first, and a year later he had the other two windows changed as well. The process itself went smoothly — the installers completed the work in a day, and only minimal finishing work was needed afterward. The only real obstacle was a heavy metal security grate fixed to one of the windows, which he removed, repainted, and later reinstalled himself.

HT did not receive any financial support for the renovation, even though he looked into available options. He knew about state-backed or municipal schemes, but was not eligible for any of them. When choosing the new windows, his decisions were mostly guided by price and practicality rather than technical consultation.

Energy use in the home is shaped by the flat’s specific heating system. Two rooms are heated by gas convectors, while other areas either have no heating or rely on electric units. Although he once considered upgrading the entire system, the layout of the apartment would require major structural work, and a gas technician advised him that the existing convectors were in good condition. He now uses a small smart thermostat device — a local Hungarian invention — that helps regulate temperature more evenly, reducing the problem of overheating followed by rapid cooling.

Since the window replacement, the apartment retains heat far better. The indoor temperature is more stable, heating is easier to control, and bills have become slightly lower. The change also brought more everyday comfort: instead of constantly turning heating on and off, he can maintain a steady, comfortable temperature.

Looking back, HT feels that his renovation choices were shaped by limited time and financial resources. He spread the work out over several years — bathroom, windows, kitchen — because doing everything at once would not have been possible. Still, he believes that if he ever renovates another home in the future, he would prefer a single, well-planned renovation rather than many small stages, as stretching the process over years was emotionally draining.

He also mentioned his father’s experience renovating a family house on Szentendrei-sziget with the help of an energy-efficiency grant. Although the project was ultimately successful, the administrative burden was overwhelming: constant paperwork, sudden changes to requirements, and confusion even within the institutions handling applications. For HT, this reinforced how difficult it is for ordinary homeowners to navigate support schemes — even for those who are willing and motivated.

HT’s advice for others is simple: plan renovations realistically, consider doing them in one phase if possible, and prepare for the time and patience required. Small improvements like window replacement can make a meaningful difference in comfort and energy use — but accessible, user-friendly support systems would make the process far easier for many households.

Four years ago, Tibor decided it was time to move out of his grandmother’s panel flat, where he had been living during university. Renting in Budapest had already become expensive, and buying seemed like the only stable long-term option. With family help — mostly savings left behind by his grandmother — he managed to purchase a 43 m² apartment in Józsefváros, covering half of the cost with a down payment and taking out a favourable low-interest mortgage for the rest.

The apartment had belonged to an elderly woman and needed extensive renovation. The interior was dated, the wiring was old, and the energy efficiency was extremely poor. As a corner unit in a non-insulated brick building, the flat lost heat rapidly through cold exterior walls. The windows were warped and leaky, rain seeped in during storms, and the entrance door barely closed. The gas convector heating struggled to warm the space, especially the bedroom, which became so cold in winter that he often slept in the living room instead. With limited resources, Tibor focused first on essentials: he replaced the entire electrical system, relocated the kitchen to improve layout, removed old tiles and wallpaper, and restored the original wooden flooring he found hidden under laminate. The bathroom was retiled and fitted with new fixtures. Heating remained a challenge — he never felt comfortable with old gas convectors but could not yet afford a full replacement.

Improving the flat’s energy performance became a slow, multi-year process. It took nearly three years before he could replace the windows and the entrance door. Finding reliable contractors proved difficult: the first company he hired repeatedly postponed the installation, communicated poorly, and even left one window partially dismantled for weeks. Eventually, after legal assistance, the work was completed. Later, a carpenter recommended by a friend installed a new entrance door, and the difference in professionalism was clear: punctuality, fair pricing, and quality workmanship.

Today, with insulated windows and a secure front door, the apartment retains heat much better, though the building’s lack of external insulation still limits what individual improvements can achieve. To reduce reliance on gas, Tibor also installed an A+++ heating-and-cooling AC unit. While technically more energy-efficient, using it heavily can become costly due to Hungary’s tiered electricity pricing. As a result, he switches between gas and electric heating depending on the season, balancing comfort and affordability.

Tibor sees environmental considerations as important, though not the sole driver of his choices. He recycles, buys second-hand items, and follows a largely plant-based diet, but he also recognises that individual actions can only go so far without broader systemic changes. For him, better insulation and efficient heating represent meaningful steps toward lower consumption — but affordable, accessible programmes for insulating entire buildings would make the biggest difference. His own housing block would gladly participate if such opportunities existed.

His advice for others is practical: plan for renovations to take longer and cost more than expected, and always rely on trusted recommendations when choosing contractors. And if possible, choose a home that has already been renovated — or be prepared for a long journey of gradual improvements, one step at a time.

We live in a detached house in Debrecen, most likely built in the late 60s or early 70s — the kind of era when insulation was minimal, energy efficiency wasn’t really part of construction standards, and heating costs were simply “part of life.” Antal bought the house about fifteen years ago. It was already in bad shape, but the price was unusually low. At the time, he could only afford to fix the most urgent structural and electrical problems. Everything else had to wait, usually until something broke again.

As energy prices kept rising in recent years, the lack of insulation became impossible to ignore. Winters felt colder inside than outside, and in the summer the house overheated within hours. We both realized that continuing with small, ad-hoc repairs would never make the house truly livable — and certainly not sustainable.

So this summer, we decided to take on a major renovation focused specifically on improving the home’s energy performance. The goal wasn’t just aesthetics or comfort; it was about finally reducing heat loss, lowering our consumption, and making the house more resilient long-term. Proper insulation felt like the most meaningful “green” investment we could make.

Although we hired professionals for part of the work, we were deeply involved in the project ourselves. We removed old panels, prepared wall surfaces, and handled a lot of the manual labour to lower costs and maintain control over quality. It also allowed us to understand, step by step, how our home actually functions energetically — where the heat escapes, where moisture collects, and which structural elements are beyond saving.

The process was far from easy. For weeks, our house had no real windows or doors. Summer storms came through the temporary coverings. Dust covered everything. We cooked outside, slept in one room, and worked from makeshift desks. At moments, it felt like camping inside our own home. But in a strange way, participating in the work made the experience meaningful. We knew exactly why we were doing it.

The professionals we worked with had mixed reliability. Some were excellent — knowledgeable about sustainable materials, patient when explaining the details, and committed to doing things properly. Others were harder to coordinate: last-minute cancellations, vague timelines, or shortcuts we had to push back against. Being present every day allowed us to make sure the green aspects of the renovation weren’t compromised for convenience.

Now that the insulation is complete, the difference is dramatic. The house keeps warmth significantly better, the rooms no longer have cold corners, and even on hot days, the indoor temperature stays stable much longer without cooling. We haven’t received our full winter bill yet, but we’re already seeing noticeable reductions in energy use.

Beyond lower costs and better comfort, the project changed the way we think about our home. Insulation isn’t glamorous, but it is one of the most impactful things individuals can do to reduce their environmental footprint. For us, it became a very tangible way to align our daily life with the values we talk about — sustainability, responsibility, long-term thinking.

Our advice: Renovations can be exhausting and messy, especially when you’re living inside the project. But if you’re able to, take part in the work yourself. It gives you control, it teaches you how your home really works, and it makes the green upgrades feel like a shared accomplishment — something you’ve literally built with your own hands.

Four years ago, after finishing university, I decided it was time to leave my grandmother’s panel apartment, where I had been living during my studies. Renting in Budapest was already extremely expensive, so buying a small flat seemed like the only long-term solution — even if it meant taking on a loan. With financial help from my family, especially savings left by my grandmother, I managed to buy a 43 m² apartment in Józsefváros with a 50% down payment. It was a huge step for me toward independence, even though the place needed a significant amount of work.

The flat had been owned by an elderly woman and was in a very dated condition: mismatched green wallpaper everywhere, old linoleum flooring, a worn-out bathroom, a leaky front door, and windows that could barely open without falling apart. On top of that, the apartment’s energy efficiency was extremely poor. As a corner unit on the second floor, it was surrounded by cold exterior walls with no insulation at all. The windows let in wind and rain, the entrance door hardly closed, and the gas convector heating struggled to keep up. In winter, the bedroom was unbearably cold. I often had to sleep in the living room because it was the only space that could be heated properly.

When I bought the apartment, I didn’t have the budget for a full renovation, so I started with the essentials. I completely replaced the electrical wiring — something that simply can’t wait until after moving in. I also relocated the kitchen to a better layout, tore up old tiles, removed wallpaper, and discovered original wooden parquet under the linoleum, which I then had restored. The bathroom got new tiles and fixtures, and my father helped install new flooring in the bedroom. The gas convector heaters remained for the time being, even though I never liked them and always worried about carbon monoxide, especially with pets in the apartment.

Improving the apartment’s energy efficiency became a years-long process. It took me three full years before I could afford new doors and windows. The original ones were dangerous, drafty, and in the bedroom, they were so fragile I avoided opening them. I replaced the two main windows with modern, insulating units — including a triple-glazed window in the living room, the largest surface where heat escaped. The entrance door was also replaced later with a safer, tighter-fitting wooden door.

Unfortunately, finding reliable contractors was one of the worst parts of the process. The first window company I hired turned out to be extremely unprofessional: they delayed the installation for months, ignored my calls, and even left one window half-demolished. At one point, I had no proper internal window panel because they had removed it and then disappeared. I eventually had to get my lawyer involved before the company finally finished the job. By contrast, the carpenter who later replaced my entrance door — recommended by a friend — was the complete opposite: punctual, honest, and affordable. That experience taught me that personal recommendations are far more reliable than flashy online ads.

Over time, the improvements made a noticeable difference. Today, when I sit in the living room, I no longer feel cold air coming from the hallway. The space is still difficult to heat because the entire building lacks insulation, but at least the windows and door no longer work against me. To help with heating costs, I also bought an A+++ inverter air-conditioning unit that can heat and cool. Although many people online claim it can fully replace gas heating, in practice, it’s complicated: electricity prices above the reduced-rate consumption threshold are very high in Hungary. Despite being more energy-efficient, heating with the AC can end up more expensive than using the old gas convector. In shoulder seasons, it works well, but on really cold days, I still rely on gas.

I never received any financial support or grants for these renovations. At the time, I didn’t qualify for any district-level or national subsidies, and the building itself — like many older Budapest blocks — has no access to proper funding for insulation or roof renovation. If there were meaningful, accessible grants for insulating entire buildings, my neighbours and I would absolutely take part. Everyone is willing, but nothing is available that we could realistically apply for.

My choices are influenced partly by environmental awareness — I recycle, I buy second-hand when I can, and I’ve been mostly vegetarian — but I’m realistic. Individual choices matter only up to a point. The real impact has to come from systemic change, from reducing industrial emissions to regulating extreme energy use. Even so, I would take any support that helps make my home warmer, more efficient, and more affordable to maintain. Living in an old, poorly insulated flat, you feel every degree and every forint.

If I could give one piece of advice to anyone starting a renovation, it would be this:
Whenever you choose between a renovated or an unrenovated flat, choose the renovated one. A renovation will always take twice as long and cost twice as much as you expect — even if you plan carefully. And always, always choose contractors based on trusted personal recommendations, not advertisements.

My family and I live in a 70 m² apartment in Budapest’s 11th district — my wife, our child, two cats, and a dog. The climate crisis is something I see as a very real and present phenomenon. We witness record temperatures year after year, shrinking lakes, dried-out rivers, and growing pressure on agriculture. For me, ignoring these signs is a form of denial. Still, I also believe that combating climate change is a shared responsibility: governments and large companies must lead with meaningful regulation, but individuals also have a duty to do whatever is within their reach to reduce their environmental footprint.

When it comes to households, I’m convinced there are many small, practical ways we can act more responsibly: reducing water and energy use, heating our homes to reasonable temperatures, buying fewer new things, repairing what we can, and limiting unnecessary waste. Transport choices matter just as much — whether we drive, cycle, fly often, or choose public transport. These habits all contribute to the environmental impact of a home.

We bought our apartment in a building from the late 1990s, and although it already had double-glazed windows, they were among the earliest versions and had lost much of their efficiency. During our renovation, we replaced all windows with modern double-glazed wooden frames. Many people asked why not triple glazing, but since the building as a whole is not insulated from the outside — and likely won’t be in the next 10–20 years — the extra investment would not have delivered its full effect. Instead, we added an internal insulation layer to the external walls using a special heat-insulating plaster mixed with tiny polystyrene beads. It significantly improved comfort: the walls no longer feel cold to the touch, and the room keeps warmth much better.

We fully modernised the apartment’s technical systems as well. Ten years ago, heat pumps were still uncommon, so we installed the best available condensing gas boiler at the time, paired with a low-temperature heating system. Most of the apartment has underfloor heating, with traditional radiators kept only in the bedrooms. The boiler produces water at just 25–38°C, adjusting automatically to outdoor temperatures. This makes the system extremely efficient — even the technicians who come for annual maintenance are surprised at how clean the boiler remains. Our yearly gas bill is still only around 5–6,000 forints, despite using gas for heating, hot water, and cooking, which I consider exceptionally low.

We also replaced all kitchen appliances with energy-efficient models and switched entirely to LED lighting. There is an inverter air-conditioning unit as well, but thanks to the high ceilings and the layout of the attic-level apartment, we barely need to use it even during summer heatwaves.

The renovation process, like any renovation, had its challenges. Fortunately, we had a trusted acquaintance who worked as both designer and contractor, which removed much of the stress. Still, unexpected issues always emerge: design ideas that don’t work in practice, communication mix-ups, or elements that don’t turn out exactly as imagined. We waited months for some interior doors — meanwhile, we used a cardboard box as a temporary bathroom door, which made for some funny moments when guests visited. The good part was that we didn’t have to live in the apartment during work, which prevented the typical pressure and cost overruns many families face. In total, the full renovation took about 3–4 months, which is relatively fast given that the apartment was stripped back to the bare structure, and even the concrete slab was opened for the underfloor heating.

Our main motivation was financial: reducing long-term energy costs and keeping the apartment economical to maintain. Environmental considerations were important too, but I’d be lying if I said they were the primary driver. At the time, there were no state subsidies available, but if they had existed, we certainly would have used them — especially for heating upgrades, high-efficiency appliances, or window replacement. Today, the most meaningful improvement would be solar panels, but this is impossible because the building has a shared roof covered with asbestos slate — a material no company will install solar systems on. A future grant to replace such roofing and enable solar installations would open real possibilities.

My advice for anyone planning a renovation is simple: always assume that time and cost will be double what you originally expect — not because anyone is dishonest, but because that’s how real-world construction works. Build in flexibility, plan carefully, and accept that some things will only become clear once you start living in the space. Looking ahead, I hope future generations will have access to genuinely clean energy on a large scale — perhaps even through fusion power. If I were building a home today, I would no longer choose gas heating at all. I believe the long-term direction is unmistakable: electrification, renewable energy, and more efficient homes.

When my partner and I bought a small apartment in Zugló, we knew from the start that it would need a full renovation before it could become our home. Both of us grew up in the 18th district of Budapest, and this was our first own place, purchased with a loan. From the beginning, we wanted a space that was modern, practical, and safe to operate — especially when it came to heating and energy use.

One of our first decisions was to avoid any gas-based systems. We were specifically looking for a home that didn’t use gas convectors, and we eventually switched to an electric heating system throughout the apartment. We even removed the gas line from the kitchen. For us, the main motivation wasn’t a big green transformation, but rather practicality: electric systems felt simpler, cleaner, and more manageable in the long term. At the same time, this choice aligned with the way we both think about consumption — trying not to use more energy or resources than necessary.

The renovation itself taught us a lot. We waited three months for the construction team we wanted, but it was absolutely worth it. We had heard too many horror stories from friends about unreliable contractors and work that had to be redone from scratch, so choosing a team with solid references was essential. We were lucky: the workers were reliable, communicative, and did a careful, high-quality job. Because we had the option to temporarily stay with my parents, we didn’t face the pressure to move in immediately, which made the whole process much less stressful.

Good planning turned out to be just as important as choosing the right team. We worked with interior designers and had a detailed renovation plan before the first hammer swing — and even then, many things still had to be adjusted along the way. Without a proper plan, it would have been overwhelming. We also had to prioritize what absolutely needed to be completed before moving in and what we could postpone for later. This helped us avoid running out of money halfway through and ending up “camping” in an unfinished home for months.

My advice to others is simple: take the time to plan thoroughly, and never choose a contractor just because they can start the fastest. Work only with people who are recommended by someone you trust. It saves money, nerves, and time. And if possible, give yourself space — both mentally and practically — to make decisions that support long-term comfort rather than short-term rush.

My parents still live in our old family house near Dunajská Streda. It’s a typical 1960s house cold in winter, hot in summer, windows that rattle when the wind blows. For years they kept saying they’d “fix it one day,” but of course, life kept happening and nothing changed. Last year I finally decided to help them renovate, because it was obvious the house wouldn’t stay in good condition much longer.

I work as an urbanist, but most of my projects are in Austria, so I spend a lot of time commuting or working abroad. Even with my background, I have to admit the renovation paperwork in Slovakia was overwhelming. We planned to insulate the house, replace the old wooden windows and repair the roof, and I wanted to apply for a subsidy it just made sense financially.

But in reality, it was almost impossible for me to manage. The deadlines were tight, some documents had to be submitted in person, and every time I tried to call the helpdesk, I spent half an hour on hold. When I finally got someone on the phone, the information was often different from what I read online. Because I wasn’t physically in Slovakia most days, I couldn’t keep up with every request, correction or missing file. After a few months of trying to chase signatures, certificates and changing forms, I gave up. Without someone doing the paperwork full-time, we didn’t stand a chance.

So we ended up renovating without any subsidy. It was more expensive than we hoped, but we kept it simple: new windows, basic insulation, small roof repairs. My parents’ house is far from a “perfectly renovated” building, but even these smaller changes made a huge difference. The house finally holds heat; my parents say they don’t feel that constant cold draft anymore. Their gas bills dropped noticeably, and the humidity problems they had for years are gone.

The whole process made me realise how inaccessible energy renovations still are for many people. If I, with a technical background and experience in planning, couldn’t navigate it while working abroad, I can’t imagine how a pensioner or someone with no housing knowledge is supposed to manage. The system requires time, patience and presence all three things I simply didn’t have.

What helped us in the end was family cooperation. My brother handled contractors, I handled the design and technical choices, and my parents did what they could. It wasn’t perfect, but it worked. If I had one message for others, it would be: don’t be intimidated by the idea of a “full renovation.” Even small improvements matter. And don’t be ashamed to ask for help. Renovating an old house especially for ageing parents is emotionally and practically heavy, and doing it alone is unrealistic.

As an architect, I spend a lot of time explaining to clients how much energy a house can waste through poor insulation or outdated heating systems, so it felt almost hypocritical not to address it in my own home. When my partner and I bought our house in Šamorín, we knew that a renovation would be necessary sooner or later. Last year, when another call for the Obnov dom subsidies was announced, we decided to go for it. Without my professional background, I honestly don’t think we would have dared.

We ended up adding external insulation, replacing all the old aluminium windows, and installing a heat pump combined with a small photovoltaic system. Rising energy prices played a big role in our decision — but so did comfort. The house used to be cold in winter and unbearably warm in summer. The process itself confirmed what most households already feel: even though the subsidies technically exist, they are not easily accessible. The administrative requirements were extensive, the online system often malfunctioned, and several documents needed to be done in a very specific way. This is where my architectural experience made the biggest difference. I already work with energy certificates, project documentation and technical drawings, so I could prepare everything myself. If I had to outsource this, it would have taken twice as long and cost significantly more.

The subsidy was eventually approved, but the waiting times were long. Getting clear answers from the helpdesk was difficult, and the evaluation phase stretched for months. Many of my neighbours gave up halfway through — and I understand why. Even for me, with experience in construction and legislation, the process was exhausting. Without professional knowledge, I think we would have made mistakes that could easily disqualify an application.

Since the renovation, the house feels completely different. In summer, we no longer reach 28–29°C indoors, and in winter the heating is more even and efficient. Our monthly energy costs have dropped by around 35–40%, and we’re far less anxious about future price hikes. Most importantly, the house finally behaves like a modern home. The biggest challenges were coordinating contractors and navigating the administrative burdens something that many Slovak households simply don’t have the capacity for. What helped us most was my familiarity with technical documents and procedures. For an average family, I believe the process would be overwhelming without external help.

My advice is simple: prepare early, gather multiple offers, and don’t hesitate to ask for professional support, because the subsidy process is still overly complex. But despite the bureaucracy, the improvements are worth it — both for comfort and long-term energy savings.

A few years ago, we decided as a family to finally renovate our old house from the 1970s. It’s a two-generation family home – my parents live downstairs, we live upstairs – and although we had already remodelled the interior, the building itself was still in its original state: no insulation, an old roof and an outdated boiler. We had been hesitating for a long time about when and how to do it, and the Renovate the House scheme gave us the push we needed.

With support from the programme, we insulated the house, replaced the roof, installed a new boiler and changed the front door. Earlier, when we first moved in, we had already replaced the old wooden windows, some of which were literally rotten and leaking heat. Altogether, these changes have transformed both our comfort and our bills.

From an environmental and financial point of view, the benefits are clear. Before the renovation, the previous owners once ran up a €1,000 gas arrears because so much heat escaped through the windows and the uninsulated structure. Now, our gas advance payments have dropped by about half. That’s a huge saving for a large semi-detached house where two households share the same gas supply for heating and hot water.

We also feel a big difference in everyday life. Before, the upper flat would overheat in summer; when our son was born, we had 29°C inside during heatwaves, which was extremely uncomfortable. Since the renovation, even when it’s 30–35°C outside, we usually stay around 25–26°C indoors. The new roof and insulation really prevent the worst of the heat from getting in.

The difficult part was the process itself. Even though we applied in a later round, when the scheme was already better organised, it was still lengthy and quite stressful. We waited a long time for official responses, sometimes weeks or even months, and received different answers from different email contacts. There was a lot of paperwork: energy certificates before and after, documentation from companies, photos, proof of waste removal and various forms to fill in. In total, it took about a year and a half from submitting the application to receiving the money.

What helped us most was that my husband took the lead, studied everything in detail and contacted the authorities when needed. We also drew on the experience of an energy certifier and a boiler company that had already worked with the scheme, and later we were able to help friends who applied in the next call. That kind of peer support is very valuable because each round has its own specific rules and people often feel lost.

Despite the bureaucracy and the long waiting, we don’t regret it at all. The house is more comfortable, our bills are lower and we know that the building is now in much better environmental condition. If there is one message I would share with others, it is this: the process can be painful and slow, but it is worth using opportunities like Renovate the House. Many people don’t think about it from an environmental perspective at first – they just see that someone will contribute financially – but in the end it improves their living conditions, reduces emissions and increases the value of their homes.

Switching from Coal to Gas in Retirement

After moving with my wife to her family home, we lived for years with an old coal boiler. As we got older, carrying coal every day, cleaning the furnace, and dealing with smoke and dust became exhausting. We finally decided to switch entirely to a gas heating system. It wasn’t easy — we had to replace the entire installation, including pipes and radiators — but a professional company handled the process.

The difference is enormous. The house now has a stable, even temperature around 21°C, without the constant fluctuations we had with coal. There’s no dust, no ash, no smell. The basement is clean, and the air around the house is much better. Yes, the bills are slightly higher because the boiler also heats water, but the comfort outweighs the cost.

We didn’t apply for subsidies. The municipality requires that if you take funding, you must remove the coal furnace entirely, and we wanted to keep the option of burning wood occasionally — we have our own forest, which makes it essentially free. We do think about installing solar thermal panels for water, but we’re waiting for an affordable support program.

My advice to others, especially older people, is simple: gas heating brings incredible comfort and dignity to daily life. You don’t realize how tiring coal is until you stop using it. And if you’re doing such a big change, choose a good, recommended company — it makes all the difference.

A Fully Modern, Energy-Efficient New Home

When we built our house, I knew from the start that I wanted solutions that combined comfort and long-term ease of use. That’s why we installed a full package: 10 kW bifacial photovoltaic panels, a 15 kW energy storage system, a heat pump, and a ventilation system with recuperation. The house is insulated and has underfloor heating everywhere. For me, the main goal wasn’t savings — it was convenience.

I grew up with traditional heating systems and saw how much work they required. My brother still uses an eco-pea coal boiler and has to refill it every few hours. I knew I didn’t want a life built around tending to a furnace. With the heat pump and photovoltaics, I set the temperature and forget about it.

I applied for subsidies myself — the paperwork was simple, although waiting times on the hotline were long. The financial support helped, but it didn’t change the fact that these technologies are expensive, especially the installation services. And to be honest, I don’t expect the heat pump to “pay for itself.” It’s an investment in comfort and stability, not a quick saving.

If I had one message for people considering these technologies, it’s this: start with insulation. Without it, nothing else will work efficiently. Plan everything during construction, read the program guidelines carefully, and don’t fear formalities — most are easier than they seem. Ultimately, these solutions bring peace of mind: I can leave the house for days and come back to a perfectly warm home. That’s worth a lot.

Solar Water Heating & Modern Heating in a Rural Home

When I look back at the changes I’ve made in my home over the past years, the installation of solar panels for heating water was one of the best decisions of my life. For a long time I relied on an electric boiler and a coal stove — expensive, inconvenient and often unreliable, especially when guests visited in the summer. I was tired of constantly running out of hot water and heating the whole house just to take a shower.

The solar panels, installed through a municipal EU-funded project, completely changed that. I paid only a small portion of the cost, the process was smooth, and the installers were professional. From spring to late autumn I have free hot water around the clock — a comfort I never had before. Years later the system still works beautifully.

More recently, I also replaced my old stove with a fifth-generation coal-and-wood boiler. It’s more ecological and practical here, where we have easy access to wood and coal. Unfortunately, I couldn’t use the national “Clean Air” subsidy because of legal issues with co-ownership of the house. As much as I would love to insulate my home, the cost is far beyond my budget.

When people ask me for advice, I always say: if you have the chance to install solar water panels — don’t hesitate even for a moment. They bring immediate comfort, low costs, and no complications. For many families, that alone can make everyday life easier.