Replacing electric heating
Replacing electric heating in Zurich, Lucerne and Zug
Replacement obligation, deadlines and exemptions by canton – and how an air/air heat pump replaces your electric heating: heating in winter, cooling in summer. We plan, obtain the permit and install.
Photo: own installation
Key points first
Canton of Zurich: Existing electric heating systems – central and decentralised, including storage heaters, direct electric radiators, infrared heaters and electric underfloor heating – as well as central electric water heaters must be replaced by renewable systems by 2030. New installation and like-for-like replacement are already not permitted today.
Canton of Lucerne: Replacement obligation only for central electric heating with a water distribution system and central electric water heaters in residential buildings – deadline 2034. There is no replacement obligation for decentralised electric heating; individual units may be replaced.
Canton of Zug: No replacement deadline for existing electric heating. However, new installation and the replacement of electric heating with a water distribution system are not permitted.
For flats and houses with room-by-room electric heaters, an air/air heat pump (split air conditioner with heating function) is often the simplest route: no new water distribution system, and it also cools in summer.
Who is affected?
Which devices count as electric heating
This means fixed electric resistance heating: devices that convert electricity directly into heat and are permanently used to heat the building.
Decentralised
Electric storage heaters, direct electric radiators and convectors, infrared heaters, electric underfloor heating – each room has its own device.
Central
An electric heat generator (e.g. central storage unit or electric boiler) heats water that is distributed via radiators or underfloor heating.
Electric water heaters
Central water heaters heated exclusively by direct electric means. Decentralised water heaters per flat or floor are usually regulated differently.
Not electric heating
Heat pumps – including air/air heat pumps. They are electrically driven but use ambient heat and need several times less electricity.
Sources: Canton of Zurich – electric heating and electric water heaters · Canton of Lucerne – energy enforcement handbook (PDF) · SwissEnergy – replacing electric heating in residential buildings (PDF)
Rules by canton
Zurich, Lucerne and Zug compared
The cantons implement the model regulations (MuKEn) differently. The overview shows the most important points for existing buildings.
| Canton | Existing electric heating | New installation and replacement | Electric water heaters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zürich | Replacement obligation by 2030 for all central and decentralised electric heating (§ 10b para. 3 EnerG, in force since 1.9.2022). | Not permitted – not even like-for-like replacement of a defective device. For exempted devices, replacement after a defect requires a permit. | Central water heaters in residential buildings heated exclusively by direct electric means: replacement by 2030. Decentralised water heaters not affected. |
| Luzern | Central electric heating with a water distribution system: replacement by 2034. Decentralised: no replacement obligation. | New installation prohibited. Central systems may not be replaced by electric heating again. Decentralised: replacing individual units is allowed; replacing more than 50 % of the units counts as a new installation. | Central electric water heaters in residential buildings: replacement by 2034. Decentralised water heaters may be replaced. Replacing a heating system or a central water heater must be reported (20 days before starting, energiemeldungen.lu.ch). |
| Zug | No replacement deadline for existing electric heating. | New installation generally not permitted. Electric heating with a water distribution system may not be replaced by electric heating (not even with a PV system). Decentralised units without a water distribution system may be replaced by an identical unit in the same location. | New installation or replacement in residential buildings only with preheating by the heating system or at least 50 % renewable energy; does not apply to decentralised water heaters. Replacing a central water heater: building notification. |
Sources Zurich: zh.ch – replacement obligation for electric heating · Fact sheet on electric heating and electric water heaters (PDF) · City of Zurich – electric heating
Sources Lucerne: uwe.lu.ch – KEnG at a glance · uwe.lu.ch – FAQ on the Energy Act · Energy enforcement handbook (PDF) · Energy notifications
Sources Zug: Enforcement practice of the cantonal Energy Act V4.0, 29.6.2026 (PDF) · Amendment to the Energy Act, § 4a and § 4b (PDF)
Note on Lucerne: The canton states the deadline for central electric heating partly as «by the end of 2034» and in the enforcement handbook as «by 01.01.2034». Plan with the earlier date or clarify it with the uwe department.
Exemptions
Canton of Zurich (§ 45c BBV I)
- Central electric heating as emergency heating for a heat pump or wood heating
- Decentralised electric heating in bathrooms and toilets
- Decentralised electric heating in buildings with a total installed capacity of no more than 3 kW or less than 50 m² of electrically heated floor area
- Decentralised electric heating for individual workplaces in insufficiently heated or unheated rooms
- Decentralised electric heating in buildings with a photovoltaic system that generates at least 10 % more electricity than is needed for heating and hot water – applies only to existing heating
- Electric heating in churches and in remote or poorly accessible buildings if another heating system is technically impossible, economically unreasonable or disproportionate
According to the canton’s fact sheet, lawfully approved electric heating that is not yet 40 years old in 2030 may be operated for longer: the municipal building authority can extend the operating period to a maximum of 40 years.
Canton of Lucerne and Canton of Zug
Emergency heating is permitted to a limited extent, supplementary heating is not. Exemptions can be granted on a justified application for remote or poorly accessible buildings (Lucerne). In Zug, a non-commercial private sauna with a timer switch is permitted.
Sources: BBV I, § 45c (PDF) · Fact sheet canton of Zurich (PDF) · Energy enforcement handbook Lucerne (PDF) · Enforcement practice canton of Zug (PDF)
Solutions
What to replace it with? Two proven routes
For decentralised electric heating, SwissEnergy names two approaches: a new heating system with heat distribution or air/air heat pumps.
Air/air heat pump (split unit)
An outdoor unit supplies one or more indoor units (wall, floor-standing or ceiling units) that heat the room air directly. No radiators or underfloor heating are needed – only refrigerant lines, condensate drain and power. In summer, the same system cools. Suitable for flats and houses with decentralised electric heating.
Air-to-water heat pump
The solution for central electric heating with a water distribution system: the heat pump replaces the electric boiler and continues to use the radiators or underfloor heating. With decentralised heating, a new heat distribution system is also needed – for which there are high subsidies.
Why the air/air heat pump is often the more affordable solution
According to SwissEnergy, installing a new heat distribution system is a major intervention in the building that is usually carried out together with an extensive renovation. According to SwissEnergy, the air/air heat pump offers somewhat less comfort but is significantly cheaper than a new heating system with heat distribution. In a practical example, the canton of Zurich describes it as a pragmatic solution because no water-based heat distribution system is required.
Practical example (canton of Zurich, 2026): In the boathouse of the Horgen lake rescue service (75 m², functional building), an air/air heat pump with one outdoor and three indoor units (8 kW thermal) replaces six direct electric heaters. Project costs according to the canton: CHF 13 400 for the heat pump plus CHF 6 500 for core drilling and openings. This is not a guide price – your costs depend on the number of rooms, pipe routes and units. You will receive a quote after an on-site visit.
What matters with an air/air heat pump
- Design the units for heating: efficient, quiet and suitable for outdoor temperatures below zero (SwissEnergy).
- All rooms must be kept warm without the old electric heaters – electric heaters may not remain as supplementary heating.
- Solve hot water separately, e.g. with a heat pump water heater if a central electric water heater has to be replaced.
- Outdoor unit: clarify location, noise protection certificate and building permit or notification with the municipality.
- Refrigerant: for systems with a charge of more than 3 kg, a maintenance log and inspection obligations apply (ChemRRV).
Sources: SwissEnergy – replacing electric heating in residential buildings (PDF) · Canton of Zurich – best practice «Boathouse with air-air heat pump», 05/2026 (PDF) · Lucerne – enforcement handbook, noise protection certificate for air conditioners (PDF)
Subsidies
Subsidies when replacing electric heating
The cantonal programmes subsidise heat pumps with water-based distribution. When replacing decentralised electric heating, there is also a high contribution for the new heat distribution system. Air/air heat pumps are not listed as a subsidised measure in the cantonal programmes of Zurich, Lucerne and Zug.
| Measure | Zürich | Luzern | Zug |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air/water heat pump (replacing oil, gas or electric heating) | Zurich: CHF 2 900 up to 15 kWth; above that + CHF 160 per additional kWth | Lucerne: CHF 4 000 up to 15 kWth; 15–70 kWth: CHF 2 500 + CHF 100 per kWth | Zug: CHF 8 500 up to 30 kWth; above that CHF 4 000 + CHF 150 per kWth |
| First installation of a heat distribution system (replacing decentralised electric heating) | Zurich: up to 250 m² ERA CHF 15 000; above that CHF 60 per m² ERA | Lucerne: up to 250 m² ERA CHF 15 000; above that CHF 60 per m² ERA | Zug: up to 250 m² ERA CHF 15 000; above that CHF 60 per m² ERA |
| Air/air heat pump (air conditioner with heating function) | Zurich: Canton no. EKZ grid area: 20 % of the net investment, max. CHF 2 000 (single-family house) or CHF 8 000 (multi-family house) | Lucerne: no cantonal contribution found | Zug: no cantonal contribution found |
Important conditions (extract)
- Submit the subsidy application before construction starts or before installation begins – otherwise there is no entitlement.
- Heat pump up to 15 kWth: heat pump system module (WPSM). Above that: SwissEnergy performance guarantee and heat pump quality label.
- Heat distribution bonus: the old decentralised heating covered more than 50 % of the heat demand, all decentralised heaters are replaced (except towel radiators), and the new heating has a hydronic heat distribution system. Electric underfloor heating that cannot be removed is permanently disconnected from the power supply.
- Zug: the replaced heating must generally have been in operation for at least five years.
- EKZ (air/air): only for EKZ grid customers, residential buildings with GEAK class D or better, complete replacement of the decentralised electric heating, unit listed on topten.ch (min. A++, multi-split floor-standing units min. A+), installed with a permit between 1.1.2025 and 31.12.2027, application by 31.1.2028.
- Some municipalities and energy suppliers have their own programmes – for example, the city of Lucerne supplements the cantonal contributions for heat pumps. Check your address on energiefranken.ch.
Sources: Subsidy programme 2026 canton of Zurich (PDF) · Lucerne – heat pumps · Lucerne – bonus for replacing decentralised electric heating · Lucerne – subsidy conditions 2026 (PDF) · Zug – energy subsidy programme · Zug – subsidy conditions 2026 (PDF) · EKZ – air-air heat pump subsidy programme · energiefranken.ch. More on subsidies in Zurich and Aargau: Heat pump subsidies.
How we help
From the on-site check to maintenance
- On-site checkWe look at the existing electric heaters, the water heater, the rooms and possible locations for the outdoor unit.
- Planning and sizingWe calculate the heating output per room and choose the right solution – air/air or air/water heat pump.
- QuoteYou will receive a quote after an on-site visit, with options on request.
- Building permit or notificationWe compile the documents, including the noise protection certificate, and submit them to the municipality.
- Subsidy applicationWe support you with the application – in good time before construction starts. Depending on the programme, your signature as the owner is required.
- Installation, commissioning and maintenanceWe install, commission, show you how to operate the system and maintain it – for all brands.
Services
Planning, building permits, installation, maintenance and repairs – for all brands
FAQ
Questions from the region
Do I have to replace my electric heating in the canton of Zurich?
Yes, generally by 2030. This applies to central and decentralised electric heating such as storage heaters, direct electric radiators, infrared and electric underfloor heating, as well as central electric water heaters in residential buildings. Exemptions are governed by § 45c BBV I, e.g. for bathrooms or buildings with no more than 3 kW or less than 50 m² of electrically heated floor area.
May I replace a defective electric heater like-for-like?
In the canton of Zurich, no. In the canton of Lucerne, individual decentralised units may be replaced, but not central electric heating with a water distribution system. In the canton of Zug, replacing a decentralised unit without a water distribution system with an identical unit in the same location is permitted.
Is there also a deadline in Lucerne and Zug?
Lucerne: central electric heating with a water distribution system and central electric water heaters in residential buildings must be replaced by 2034; there is no replacement obligation for decentralised electric heating. Zug: there is no replacement deadline for existing electric heating.
Is an air conditioner with heating function a permissible replacement?
An air/air heat pump is a heat pump and not electric heating. SwissEnergy names it as one of the two ways to replace decentralised electric heating, and the canton of Zurich shows it in a practical example. What matters is that it keeps all rooms warm without the old electric heaters and is designed for sub-zero temperatures.
Is an air/air heat pump subsidised?
The cantonal programmes of Zurich, Lucerne and Zug do not list air/air heat pumps as a subsidised measure. For its own grid customers, EKZ subsidises the complete replacement of decentralised electric heating with air/air heat pumps at 20 % of the net investment, up to CHF 2 000 in a single-family house and up to CHF 8 000 in a multi-family house.
What does the replacement cost?
That depends on the number of rooms, the pipe routes and the chosen solution. You will receive a quote from us after an on-site visit.
Let’s discuss your project
We check which rules apply to your property and show you the right solution – via WhatsApp, phone or contact form.