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.