How to Live Green in CEE

When I moved to Budapest, I was pleasantly surprised by the many earth-friendly habits ingrained in daily life...from the clothes line installed in my kitchen to the shopping carts and whicker baskets in the markets. At Home Real Estate agency encourages our blog readers to consider the environment in your household and daily life. How can one maintain a sustainable lifestyle while living in Bratislava, Budapest, Moscow, Prague and Warsaw?









Lighting

• An easy upgrade, whether you rent or own, is to purchase energy efficient light bulbs. IKEA outlets carry them in a variety of shapes and sizes. Refer to our translations below and visit your local store or check availability online by visiting your country’s IKEA webpage.
• Learn a New Word:  "Energy Efficient Light bulb" in Czech, Hungarian, Polish, Russian and Slovak

Windows and doors

• **Check during your Home Search** When conducting a property search, look for homes with solar panels. They can be difficult to find in CEE but are sprouting up in some Budapest properties. 

More Budapest Properties with Solar Paneling

Solar panels at this Budapest home

• For strong sun in the summer, apply nonadhesive window film. They reduce sunlight during the day and protect fabrics from fading. The non-stick material is easy to add to and remove from windows, while modern designs allow you to make an inexpensive upgrade to your home décor.

Nonadhesive film design by Maria Liv

• Reseal windows and doors with caulk to ensure heat does not leek out. Install weather-stripping on outside doors. 
• Leave your curtains and shades open during the day. Sunlight seeps in and will help maintain warmth.

Bright apartment in Bratislava

Light coming into this Bratislava apartment
• **Check during your Home Search** Look for a home with PVC windows, which are long-lasting and provide good insulation and reduce heating costs.

See more apartments in Moscow with PVC windows

PVC Windows in this Moscow apartment

Apartment in Moscow & PVC Windows

Water Consumption

If you’re already living in CEE, you likely already have a low-flow toilet. Here are some more ways to reduce water usage:

• Add aerators to all faucets
• Cover your pool or Jacuzzi when not in use

Prague apartment with pool

Floors & Counters

• Use alternative materials like Bamboo for your floors and countertops. It is durable, natural and the crop renews quickly. It takes just four to six years for bamboo to mature, compared to 50-100 years for typical hardwoods. It’s also attractive and easy-to-clean. 

• European Beechwood is plentiful in Central Europe and can be used for flooring and indoor/outdoor furniture. Central Europe is home to about 25% of the world's deciduous trees and the most common type of the region is beech. European beech is tough, strong and malleable.

• Other options for flooring and countertops include cork, silestone (made of 94% natural quartz), recycled glass or reused concrete.

Sheets and Bedding

• Buy an organic mattress made from wool and cleaned in a chemical-free, non-toxic soap solution. IKEA carries organic mattresses like the Sultan Erfjord (see description on IKEA site). 

• In Central Europe, take advantage of the Hungarian goose down pillows and comforters available in small shops or online (see website)

Photo by Amanda Munoz

**Check during your Home Search**
Other feautures to look for in a home:

• A LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) home

The only LEED Platinum-awarded house in Hungary

• Geothermic heat pump
  A geothermic (or ground source) heat pump uses the earth as a heating source. In warm temperatures, it acts as a cooling mechanism that transfers heat into the earth. Geothermic heat pumps require 40% to 70% less energy than traditional heating systems.

• See properties in Budapest with geothermic heat pumps

Learn more about moving to a green home in Prague, Budapest, Moscow, Warsaw or Bratislava by visiting www.athome-network.com and contacting our appropriate branch.

Have your own tips on green living? Feel free to make suggestions in the comments.

Title photo from Lonny Magazine