Heating Costs in Switzerland 2025: Complete Guide

Heating accounts for the largest portion of energy consumption in Swiss households - approximately 60-70% of total energy costs. With average annual heating expenses ranging from CHF 1,500 to CHF 3,500 per household, finding ways to reduce these costs can lead to significant savings.

Data: December 2024

Average Heating Costs in Switzerland

By Apartment Size

Living Space	Oil Heating	Gas Heating	Heat Pump	District Heating
2.5 rooms (60m²)	CHF 1,200	CHF 1,100	CHF 650	CHF 900
3.5 rooms (90m²)	CHF 1,800	CHF 1,650	CHF 975	CHF 1,350
4.5 rooms (120m²)	CHF 2,400	CHF 2,200	CHF 1,300	CHF 1,800
5.5 rooms (150m²)	CHF 3,000	CHF 2,750	CHF 1,625	CHF 2,250

Prices based on well-insulated buildings (built after 2000). Older buildings can have 30-50% higher costs.

By Heating System Type

Oil Heating (Ölheizung)

• Average: CHF 2,100/year for 100m²
• Price per liter (2024): CHF 1.05-1.20
• Annual consumption: ~1,750 liters for 100m²
• Most common in older Swiss buildings

Gas Heating (Gasheizung)

• Average: CHF 1,900/year for 100m²
• Price per kWh: CHF 0.11-0.14
• More stable prices than oil
• Common in urban areas

Heat Pump (Wärmepumpe)

• Average: CHF 1,100/year for 100m²
• Price per kWh: CHF 0.20-0.25 (electricity)
• Lowest operating costs
• High installation cost (CHF 25,000-40,000)
• Government subsidies available

District Heating (Fernwärme)

• Average: CHF 1,600/year for 100m²
• Fixed monthly fees + consumption
• No maintenance costs
• Limited availability

Wood/Pellet Heating

• Average: CHF 1,400/year for 100m²
• Price per ton of pellets: CHF 400-500
• Environmental benefits
• Requires storage space

Electric Heating (Elektroheizung)

• Average: CHF 3,000/year for 100m²
• Most expensive option
• Common in older mountain chalets
• Should be replaced if possible

Types of Heating Systems in Switzerland

1. Oil Heating (Ölheizung)

Still the most common system in Switzerland, especially in older buildings.

Advantages:

• Established technology
• Can be refueled anytime
• No connection fees
• Independent from grid

Disadvantages:

• Price volatility
• Environmental impact
• Tank space required
• Increasingly regulated (phase-out in some cantons)

Typical Costs:

• Oil price: CHF 1.05-1.20/liter
• Annual consumption (100m²): 1,500-2,000 liters
• Service/maintenance: CHF 200-300/year
• Total annual cost: CHF 2,000-2,700

2. Gas Heating (Gasheizung)

Popular in areas with gas network access.

Advantages:

• Cleaner than oil
• No storage needed
• More stable prices
• Efficient combustion

Disadvantages:

• Requires gas connection
• Connection fees apply
• Still fossil fuel
• Network coverage limited

Typical Costs:

• Gas price: CHF 0.11-0.14/kWh
• Annual consumption (100m²): 15,000-18,000 kWh
• Connection fee: CHF 200-400/year
• Service: CHF 150-250/year
• Total annual cost: CHF 1,900-2,800

3. Heat Pump (Wärmepumpe)

The future of Swiss heating - highly efficient and environmentally friendly.

Types:

• Air-source heat pumps (Luft-Wasser): Most common, CHF 25,000-35,000
• Ground-source heat pumps (Erdwärme): Most efficient, CHF 35,000-50,000
• Water-source heat pumps (Grundwasser): Rare, requires permits

Advantages:

• Lowest operating costs
• Environmentally friendly
• Government subsidies (CHF 5,000-15,000)
• Can cool in summer
• No fuel deliveries

Disadvantages:

• High upfront cost
• Electricity-dependent
• Less efficient in extreme cold
• May require building insulation upgrades

Typical Costs:

• Electricity consumption (100m²): 4,500-6,000 kWh
• Electricity price: CHF 0.20-0.25/kWh
• Annual cost: CHF 900-1,500
• Installation cost: CHF 25,000-40,000
• Payback period: 8-15 years

4. District Heating (Fernwärme)

Centralized heating for buildings or neighborhoods.

Advantages:

• No maintenance
• No space for equipment
• Often from renewable sources
• Fixed monthly costs

Disadvantages:

• Limited availability
• No provider choice
• Connection mandatory in some areas
• Can be expensive

Typical Costs:

• Base fee: CHF 400-800/year
• Consumption: CHF 0.12-0.16/kWh
• Total (100m²): CHF 1,500-2,200/year

How to Reduce Heating Costs

1. Optimize Your Heating Behavior

Lower Room Temperature

• Reduce by 1°C = up to 6% savings
• Living room: 20-21°C (instead of 22-23°C)
• Bedroom: 17-18°C
• Bathroom: 22-23°C (only when in use)
• Hallway: 18°C
• Annual savings for 100m²: CHF 120-180

Night Temperature Reduction

• Lower by 3-4°C at night
• Use programmable thermostats
• Savings: up to CHF 100-150/year

Heat Only When Home

• Use timer controls
• Don't heat empty rooms
• Savings: up to CHF 80-120/year

2. Improve Building Insulation

Window Upgrades

• Old single-pane → modern double/triple pane
• Savings: 15-20% of heating costs
• Cost: CHF 500-1,000 per window
• Payback: 8-12 years
• Cantonal subsidies available

Roof Insulation

• 30% of heat escapes through roof
• Cost: CHF 80-150/m²
• Savings: up to CHF 300-600/year (100m² house)
• Payback: 10-15 years
• Subsidies: CHF 50-100/m²

Facade Insulation

• 25% of heat loss through walls
• Cost: CHF 200-350/m²
• Savings: up to CHF 400-700/year
• Payback: 15-25 years
• Subsidies available in most cantons

Basement Ceiling Insulation

• Cheapest insulation measure
• Cost: CHF 30-50/m²
• Savings: up to CHF 150-250/year
• Payback: 3-5 years

3. Smart Heating Control

Programmable Thermostats

• Cost: CHF 150-300
• Automatic temperature reduction
• Savings: up to CHF 100-200/year
• Payback: 1-2 years

Smart Home Systems

• Cost: CHF 500-1,500
• App control, learning algorithms
• Savings: up to CHF 200-350/year
• Payback: 2-5 years

Room-by-Room Control

• Install thermostatic valves
• Cost: CHF 30-60 per radiator
• Savings: up to CHF 80-150/year
• Payback: 2-4 years

4. Heating System Maintenance

Regular Service

• Annual boiler service
• Clean burners and heat exchangers
• Check pressure and settings
• Cost: CHF 200-300
• Savings: up to CHF 150-250/year

Radiator Venting

• Remove trapped air
• Do it yourself (free)
• Improves efficiency by 5-10%
• Savings: up to CHF 100-200/year

Hydraulic Balancing

• Professional adjustment
• Cost: CHF 500-1,000
• Savings: up to CHF 200-300/year
• Payback: 2-4 years

5. Compare Oil/Gas Suppliers

Oil Heating:

• Compare prices from multiple suppliers
• Buy in summer (cheaper)
• Joint orders with neighbors
• Potential savings: CHF 100-300/year

Top Oil Suppliers:

• Oel-Billiger.ch (comparison platform)
• Migrol
• TopOil
• Shell
• BP

Gas Heating:

• Limited provider choice (local monopolies)
• Compare fixed vs. variable rates
• Check for eco-gas options

6. Consider Heating System Replacement

When to Replace:

• Oil/gas boiler older than 15 years
• Inefficient electric heating
• High repair costs
• Canton regulations require it

Best Replacement Options (2025):

Old System	New System	Investment	Annual Savings	Subsidies	Payback
Oil → Heat Pump	CHF 35,000	CHF 1,200	CHF 10,000	15-20 years
Oil → Gas	CHF 12,000	CHF 300	CHF 2,000	25-30 years
Electric → Heat Pump	CHF 30,000	CHF 2,000	CHF 12,000	8-12 years
Gas → Heat Pump	CHF 30,000	CHF 900	CHF 8,000	20-25 years

Government Subsidies and Support

Federal Building Program (Das Gebäudeprogramm)

The Swiss government offers substantial subsidies for energy-efficient renovations:

Heat Pump Installation:

• Air-source: CHF 5,000-9,000
• Ground-source: CHF 10,000-15,000

Insulation:

• Roof: CHF 40-60/m²
• Facade: CHF 50-80/m²
• Windows: CHF 70-100/m²

Application:

• www.dasgebaeudeprogramm.ch
• Apply before starting work
• Processing time: 2-4 months

Cantonal Programs

Additional subsidies vary by canton:

Zurich:

• Heat pump: +CHF 3,000-6,000
• Solar thermal: CHF 3,000-5,000
• Building envelope: Up to 20% additional

Bern:

• Heat pump: +CHF 5,000-10,000
• Pellet heating: CHF 4,000-8,000
• Oil replacement bonus: +CHF 2,000

Geneva:

• Heat pump: +CHF 4,000-8,000
• District heating connection: CHF 5,000
• Facade insulation: Up to 25%

Check your canton:

• www.energiefranken.ch
• Cantonal energy office websites
• Local building department

Energy Consulting (GEAK)

Free or subsidized energy consulting:

• Professional assessment: CHF 300-800
• Cantonal subsidies: 50-100%
• Detailed renovation recommendations
• Priority access to subsidies

Special Considerations for Renters

Heating Costs in Rental Agreements

Who Pays:

• Nebenkosten (service charges): Heating usually included
• Actual consumption: Based on your apartment's meters
• Advance payments: Monthly estimates, settled annually

Your Rights:

• Request detailed heating cost breakdown
• Challenge unreasonable costs
• Request building insulation improvements
• Heating should generally be functional (legal requirement)

How to Reduce Costs as Renter

Immediate Actions (No Landlord Permission):

• Optimize heating behavior
• Use thermostatic valves correctly
• Vent radiators
• Don't block radiators with furniture
• Close shutters at night
• Use door draft stoppers

Request Landlord Improvements:

• Install programmable thermostats
• Upgrade old windows
• Improve insulation
• Modern boiler installation

Know Your Rights:

• Minimum temperature: 20°C (living room), 18°C (bedroom)
• Heating season: Usually Sept 15 - May 15
• Maximum temperature: No legal limit, but excessive heat allows rent reduction

Heating Cost Comparison by Canton

Average annual costs for 100m² apartment (2024):

Canton	Oil	Gas	Heat Pump	District Heating
Zurich	CHF 2,300	CHF 2,100	CHF 1,100	CHF 1,700
Bern	CHF 2,200	CHF 1,900	CHF 1,000	CHF 1,600
Geneva	CHF 2,500	CHF 2,300	CHF 1,250	CHF 1,900
Basel	CHF 2,400	CHF 2,150	CHF 1,150	CHF 1,800
Vaud	CHF 2,350	CHF 2,100	CHF 1,100	CHF 1,750
Ticino	CHF 2,000	CHF 1,800	CHF 950	CHF 1,500

Ticino has lower costs due to milder climate.

Future of Heating in Switzerland

Oil and Gas Phase-Out

Several cantons are banning new oil/gas heating installations:

Basel-Stadt: Ban since 2017 Geneva: Ban since 2020 Zurich: Ban from 2022 Bern: Ban planned for 2026 Vaud: Ban planned for 2027

What This Means:

• Existing systems can continue
• Replacements should generally be renewable
• Heat pumps are the primary alternative
• Transition period until 2040-2050

Renewable Heating Targets

Swiss government goals:

• 100% renewable heating by 2050
• 50% reduction in CO2 from buildings by 2030
• Increased subsidies for heat pumps
• Stricter building energy standards

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Heating with Windows Open

Losses up to CHF 300/year. Ventilate properly:

• Open windows wide for 5-10 minutes
• Turn heating off while ventilating
• Do it 3-4 times daily
• Never leave windows tilted for hours

2. Blocking Radiators

• Don't cover with furniture
• Keep 10cm clearance
• Don't dry clothes on radiators
• Clean radiators regularly

3. Ignoring Maintenance

• Service boiler annually
• Vent radiators yearly
• Check thermostat batteries
• Clean heat exchanger filters

4. Wrong Temperature Settings

• Don't overheat rooms
• Use night reduction
• Close doors between rooms
• Don't heat storage rooms

5. Buying Fuel at Wrong Time

For oil heating:

• Most expensive: November-February
• Cheapest: May-August
• Save up to 20% by buying in summer
• Use comparison platforms

Conclusion: Smart Heating Saves Money

Heating is your biggest energy expense in Switzerland, but also where you have the most potential for savings:

Short-term savings (CHF 200-400/year):

• Optimize heating behavior
• Lower room temperatures
• Use programmable thermostats
• Compare oil/gas suppliers

Medium-term savings (CHF 400-800/year):

• Improve insulation
• Install smart controls
• Regular maintenance
• Hydraulic balancing

Long-term savings (CHF 1,000-2,000/year):

• Replace old heating system with heat pump
• Comprehensive building insulation
• Solar thermal integration
• Take advantage of government subsidies

The key is to start with free or low-cost measures immediately, then plan larger investments strategically to maximize subsidies and payback.

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In the future, checkeverything.ch will feature an interactive tool to calculate your potential heating cost savings and compare systems for your specific situation. Stay tuned!