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.