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already remodelled the interior, the building itself was still in its original state: no insulation, an old roof and an outdated boiler.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.