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an architect, I spend a lot of time explaining to clients how much energy a house can waste through poor insulation or outdated heating systems, so it felt almost hypocritical not to address it in my own home.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.