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Heating replacement in Switzerland

Replace your heating. With advice, before the old one fails.

Is your oil, gas or electric heating getting on in years? We clarify which heating suits your house, what the regulations require and which subsidies are available. We then obtain quotes and coordinate the replacement from a single source.

  • Advice: which heating suits your house?
  • Permit and subsidy applications included
  • Comparable quotes from vetted installers
Request free advice →Which heating suits?
Heat pump in the garden of a residential building after the heating renovation
5.0★★★★★from 31 Google reviews
Advice

Which heating suits your house?

Three questions give a first direction. The bars show which systems were actually installed in the canton of Zurich when old heating systems were replaced.

Your house in three questions

Is there district heating in your street?
Is a borehole possible on the plot?
How is the house heated today?

First direction: air-to-water heat pump. With radiators, we check whether they are sufficient for the lower flow temperatures.

Request advice on site →

Air-to-water heat pump

Uses heat from the outside air. Needs little space and no borehole. Modern units are quiet, but noise protection documentation is still required.

Ground-source heat pump

Draws heat from the ground via a borehole in the garden. Very efficient and quiet; the borehole requires a permit.

District heating

Heat from a heating network. Needs hardly any space in the house and little maintenance, but is not available everywhere.

Wood / pellets

Renewable, but needs space for storage and regular deliveries.

Shares: heating replacements in ten Zurich municipalities, September 2022 to August 2023. Source: Canton of Zurich, press release of 29 May 2024 (German).

Regulations

What applies when replacing heating? Example: canton of Zurich

The rules are cantonal. In the canton of Zurich, the following has applied since the revised Energy Act. In other cantons, we clarify the applicable regulations for you.

1.9.2022Replace with renewables

Fossil-fuel heating systems are generally replaced with renewable systems where technically possible.

5 %Exception only for additional costs

If the renewable solution is more than 5 per cent more expensive over its service life, a fossil-fuel heating system is possible subject to conditions.

ApplicationPermit required

Every heating replacement is submitted to the municipality, with noise protection documentation for air-to-water heat pumps and a permit for ground-source probes.

2030Electric heating

Fixed electric resistance heating must be replaced by 2030, with few exceptions.

Source: Canton of Zurich, heating replacement (German). As of October 2026, without guarantee.

Costs

How much does it cost to replace a heating system?

The heating system, the size of the house and additional work such as removing the oil tank determine the price. Subsidies reduce the costs.

Heating replacement cost calculator

New heating system
Building
Add-ons
Ballpark incl. coordination, before subsidies
Have quote & subsidies checked →

As a rough guide for a detached house, including removal of the old heating and coordination, before deduction of subsidies, excluding VAT:

Heating systemNoteCHF
Air-to-water HPno borehole, mind noise protection30'000 – 50'000
Ground-source HPincl. borehole, permit required45'000 – 75'000
District heatingonly where a network is available15'000 – 35'000
Pelletsincl. storage room35'000 – 55'000
1
Heat demandThe size and insulation of the house determine the output required.
2
Heat distributionUnderfloor heating is ideal for heat pumps. With radiators, we check whether they are sufficient.
3
RemovalThe oil tank, chimney and old boiler must be removed professionally.
4
SubsidiesThe canton and municipality support the replacement of fossil-fuel heating. Submit applications before construction starts.
Process

Heating replacement from a single source

You have one contact person. We coordinate the installer, electrician, drilling company and all applications.

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1

Advice on site

We inspect the old heating, check pipes, insulation, windows and doors and clarify your energy demand.

You get: suitable systems
2

Quotes & subsidies

Specialist firms from our network submit quotes. We check the quotes and prepare subsidy applications.

You get: comparable quotes
3

Permit

Application to the municipality with the necessary documentation, e.g. noise protection or a ground-source probe permit.

You get: approval to start
4

Replacement & commissioning

Removal of the old system, installation, commissioning and handover. All coordinated.

You get: new heating
Wellness oasis in the former oil tank room
Project

The oil tank room becomes a wellness oasis

After a heating replacement, a whole room often becomes free. In this detached house in the Zurich Unterland we converted the former oil tank room into a wellness area in twelve weeks.

If you plan the heating replacement together with a renovation, you save on coordination and construction time.

View project →
Your partner for heating replacement

Heating replacement in Zurich, Winterthur, Basel, Lucerne and Bern

Five locations and a network of vetted installers in your region.

Advice firstWe compare the systems that are suitable for your house.
Applications includedWe prepare the permit and subsidy applications for you.
Comparable quotesFrom specialist firms in our network, compared transparently.
Everything coordinatedInstaller, electrician, drilling company and removal from a single source.
Combinable with a renovationPlan heating replacement, insulation, bathroom or conversion together.
Full transparencySchedule, quotes and budget in the renovation cockpit.
★★★★★

«Good sparring partner and always with more than one solution.»

  • They met all deadlines
Google review · House renovation
ZurichHead office Unterengstringen WinterthurRudolf-Diesel-Strasse 3 BaselReinacherstrasse 85 LucerneGrabenhofstrasse 2, Kriens BernSägestrasse 79, Köniz
Frequently asked questions

Questions about heating replacement

Christian Vogt
Reviewed by Christian VogtArchitect BA ZFH · Updated October 2026
May I replace my old oil heating with another oil heating system?

In the canton of Zurich, since 1 September 2022, fossil-fuel heating systems must generally be replaced with renewable systems, provided this is technically possible and causes no more than 5 per cent additional costs over the service life. Other cantons have their own, sometimes similar rules.

Does a heating replacement need a permit?

In the canton of Zurich, every heating replacement requires a permit. The application is submitted to the municipality. Air-to-water heat pumps require noise protection documentation, ground-source probes a water protection permit.

How much does it cost to replace a heating system?

That depends on the heating system, the size of the house and the additional work required, such as removing the oil tank or new radiators. Subsidies from the canton and municipality can reduce the costs. Our cost calculator gives a ballpark figure.

Which heating suits my house?

In the canton of Zurich, air-to-water heat pumps were installed most often when heating was replaced, followed by ground-source heat pumps and district heating. Which solution suits depends on the plot, insulation, heat distribution and availability of district heating.

Are there subsidies for replacing heating?

Yes, many cantons and municipalities subsidise the replacement of fossil-fuel or electric heating. Applications usually have to be submitted before construction starts. We show you which programmes apply to your project.

When should I replace my heating?

Ideally you plan the replacement before the old heating fails. That leaves time for advice, permits and subsidies. Indications are an old system, frequent breakdowns and rising energy costs.

Guide

Guide to replacing heating

In-depth information for your planning. Click on a chapter to open it.

Old heating: when to repair, when to replace?

A repair can make sense if the system is still young and only one component fails. If the heating is old, breaks down frequently or uses a lot of energy, it pays to plan a replacement. Important: if the heating fails completely in winter, there is often no time for a good solution. So plan the replacement early.

Heat pump in an older building: does that work?

In many cases, yes. What matters is the flow temperature at which the house becomes warm. With underfloor heating this is usually easy. With radiators, we check whether they are sufficient or whether individual radiators should be enlarged. It often pays to improve the windows or roof at the same time so that the heat pump can be smaller.

Combining heating replacement with a renovation
  • Insulation: a better-insulated house needs a smaller and cheaper heating system.
  • Underfloor heating: can be installed as part of a renovation.
  • Gaining space: the freed-up oil tank room becomes a cellar, hobby room or wellness area.
  • Solar panels: your own electricity for the heat pump.

More on our house renovation page.

Heating replacement checklist
  • Record the age and condition of the current heating
  • Compile energy consumption for recent years
  • Find out whether district heating is available
  • Have the possibility of a ground-source probe checked
  • Clarify cantonal regulations and permit requirements
  • Submit subsidy applications before construction starts
  • Obtain several comparable quotes
  • Plan the removal of the oil tank and chimney
More services
House renovationComplete renovationHouse extensionBathroom renovationKitchen renovationRenovation consultingBuilding permit
Christian Vogt, architect

Your new heating, well planned.

We advise you on site, clarify regulations and subsidies and obtain quotes. Free and without obligation.

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Phone044 860 37 91
Emailinfo@umbaumanager.ch
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