Subsidies
Heat pump subsidies in Zurich and Aargau
Canton, city, municipality and energy supplier: we show which subsidies are available for replacing your heating and help you with the application – before construction starts.
Photo: own installation
Key points first
Anyone who replaces an oil, gas or electric heating system with a heat pump receives subsidies in the cantons of Zurich and Aargau. In the city of Zurich there are additional municipal contributions, and some municipalities and energy suppliers have their own programmes. The most important rule applies everywhere: The subsidy application must be submitted before construction starts. Anyone who builds first loses the entitlement.
The amounts below are taken from the official subsidy programmes (as of October 2026). Programmes and rates may change – the current programme of the responsible authority is always decisive. We check this for your property as part of the quote.
Federal government
The Buildings Programme of the Confederation and the cantons
The Buildings Programme is the joint subsidy programme of the Confederation and the cantons. However, the contributions for heat pumps are paid out via the canton – subsidy measures and contributions vary from canton to canton. The Buildings Programme recommends: first get information from the cantonal energy advice service, have a GEAK Plus prepared if necessary, develop a concept and apply for the subsidies as soon as the concept is ready – in any case before construction starts.
Source: dasgebaeudeprogramm.ch
Canton of Zurich
Canton of Zurich energy subsidy programme 2026
The Canton of Zurich is continuing its subsidy programme unchanged in 2026. Subsidies are granted for replacing an oil, gas or electric heating system in an existing building.
| Measure | Subsidy |
|---|---|
| Air-to-water heat pump up to 15 kWth | CHF 2 900 |
| Air-to-water heat pump above 15 kWth | CHF 2 900 + CHF 160 per additional kWth |
| Ground-source or water/water heat pump up to 15 kWth | CHF 6 800 |
| Ground-source or water/water heat pump over 15 kWth | CHF 6 800 + CHF 420 per additional kWth |
| Supplement: full regeneration of the ground probes or no antifreeze | Supplementary contribution CHF 3 000 + CHF 100 per additional kWth |
| First installation of a heat distribution system (e.g. when replacing decentralised electric heaters) | up to 250 m² ERA: CHF 15 000 flat rate; over 250 m² ERA: CHF 60 per m² ERA (separate application) |
Important conditions (extract)
- Submit the application online before construction starts (installation of the heat pump). Construction may begin after the automatic confirmation of receipt; the binding approval or rejection follows within four weeks of receipt of the complete documents.
- The heat pump replaces an oil, gas or electric heating system and serves as the main heating system (up to 70 kWth without fossil secondary heating).
- Up to 15 kWth: heat pump system module (WPSM) system certificate. Over 15 kWth: EnergieSchweiz performance guarantee and heat pump quality label.
- Professional electricity and heat metering; electric motor-driven heat pumps only.
- In district heating areas not eligible for subsidies (heating network), the heat pump is generally not subsidised – with exceptions.
- Contribution at most 50 % of the relevant investment costs; calculated with a maximum of 50 Wth per m² energy reference area.
- Can be combined with municipal programmes, but not with e.g. the KliK Foundation or Energie Zukunft Schweiz.
Sources: Subsidy programme 2026, Canton of Zurich (PDF) · zh.ch – energy subsidies · Announcement: subsidy programme 2026 unchanged
City of Zurich
Additional contributions in the city of Zurich
For buildings in the city of Zurich, the city supplements the cantonal contributions. According to the city’s fact sheet, the subsidy for an air/water heat pump (up to 500 kWth) totals CHF 8 000 + CHF 120 per kW th. The city’s calculation example: an air/water heat pump with 10 kWth receives CHF 9 200 – of which CHF 2 900 from the canton and CHF 6 300 from the city. For ground-source or water/water heat pumps (up to 500 kWth) the fact sheet states CHF 16 000 + CHF 360 per kWth.
Anyone who prematurely replaces an oil or gas heating system less than 15 years old can additionally receive a contribution from the city for the non-amortised investment costs. You can calculate the amount of your expected contribution with the city’s subsidy calculator.
Sources: stadt-zuerich.ch – energy subsidies and subsidy calculator · Fact sheet «Energie-Fördergelder für Hauseigentümer*innen» (PDF, German)
Canton of Aargau
Canton of Aargau energy subsidy programme
The Canton of Aargau subsidises the replacement of an oil, gas or electric heating system with a heat pump (programme, edition 05/2026).
| Measure | Subsidy |
|---|---|
| Air/water heat pump up to 70 kW | CHF 3 000 + CHF 60 per kWth |
| Air/water heat pump from 70 kW | CHF 6 400 + CHF 240 per kWth |
| Brine/water or water/water heat pump up to 70 kW | CHF 6 000 + CHF 180 per kWth |
| Brine/water or water/water heat pump from 70 kW | CHF 9 600 + CHF 720 per kWth |
| Heat pump system module (WPSM) up to approx. 15 kW | Refund CHF 350 (excl. VAT) |
| First installation of a heat distribution system (e.g. when replacing decentralised electric heaters) | up to 250 m² ERA: CHF 15 000 flat rate; over 250 m² ERA: CHF 60 per m² ERA (separate application) |
Important conditions (extract)
- Submit the subsidy application before construction starts.
- Heat pump as the main heating system; the old oil, gas or electric heating is dismantled and may not remain as emergency heating.
- WPSM up to approx. 15 kWth; otherwise heat pump quality label and EnergieSchweiz performance guarantee.
- Calculated with a maximum of 50 Wth per m² energy reference area; in district heating areas generally no subsidy (exceptions possible).
- Enclosures include: application form, site plan, photos of the existing heating incl. rating plate, proof of the energy reference area.
Sources: Energy subsidy programme 2026, Canton of Aargau (PDF) · ag.ch – energy subsidies. For building permits or notifications in Aargau, see Aarau and surroundings.
Basel-Stadt and Basel-Landschaft
Subsidies in Basel-Stadt and Basel-Landschaft
Both cantons subsidise the replacement of oil, gas or electric heating with a heat pump. Here too, the application must be submitted before construction or installation starts.
| Measure | Basel-Stadt | Basel-Landschaft |
|---|---|---|
| Air/water heat pump (replacing oil, gas or electric heating) | Outside the district heating area CHF 8 000 + CHF 250 per kWth; within the district heating area up to 70 kWth CHF 4 000 + CHF 125 per kWth, above that no contributions | CHF 5 000 + CHF 200 per kWth; an additional energy bonus of 20 % of the investment is possible (max. CHF 25 000, not above 70 kWth) |
| Brine/water or water/water heat pump | Outside the district heating area up to 10 kWth max. CHF 30 000, from 10 kWth CHF 25 500 per system + CHF 450 per kWth | CHF 7 000 + CHF 360 per kWth |
| First installation of a heat distribution system (e.g. when replacing decentralised electric heaters) | up to 250 m² ERA CHF 15 000; above that CHF 60 per m² ERA | up to 250 m² ERA CHF 15 000; above that CHF 60 per m² ERA |
- Basel-Stadt: the subsidy amounts to at most 40 % of the investment costs. A GEAK Plus is subsidised with CHF 500.
- Basel-Landschaft: up to 15 kWth a heat pump system module (WPSM) is required. The subsidy per measure is limited to 50 % of the investment costs.
- Air/air heat pumps are not listed as an eligible measure in the subsidy programmes of Aargau, Basel-Stadt and Basel-Landschaft. Municipalities and energy suppliers may have their own programmes – check your address on energiefranken.ch.
Sources: Basel-Stadt – heat pump subsidies · Basel-Stadt – first installation of a heat distribution system · Baselbieter Energiepaket – air/water heat pump · Baselbieter Energiepaket – all subsidies
Municipalities and energy suppliers
Municipalities: Many municipalities supplement the cantonal subsidy with their own contributions or advisory services. The postcode search on energiefranken.ch shows which programmes apply to your address. The contributions vary depending on the programme.
EKZ (Electric Utilities of the Canton of Zurich): For grid customers in the EKZ supply area, EKZ subsidises the complete replacement of decentralised electric heaters without a heat distribution system with air/air heat pumps (air conditioners): 20 % of the net investment costs, up to a maximum of CHF 2 000 in a single-family house and CHF 8 000 per building in a multi-family house. Requirements include a GEAK building energy class of D or better and a unit listed on topten.ch (at least A++, multi-split console units at least A+).
Regulations, deadlines and solutions for replacing electric heating: Replacing electric heating in Zurich, Lucerne and Zug
Sources: energiefranken.ch · ekz.ch – air-to-air heat pump subsidy programme
Tax deductions for energy-saving measures
Investments that serve energy saving and environmental protection can currently be deducted from taxes for existing properties held as private assets – for example replacing a heating system with a heat pump. Only the part not covered by subsidies is deductible. In the Canton of Zurich, this is governed by a leaflet of the cantonal tax office.
Note – system change: The Federal Council has brought the abolition of the imputed rental value into force on 1 January 2029. From then on, the deduction for property maintenance will no longer apply to owner-occupied residential property, and the deductions for investments in energy saving and environmental protection will no longer apply for direct federal tax. The cantons may continue these deductions for a limited period. Clarify the timing of larger investments with your tax adviser.
Sources: Cantonal Tax Office Zurich – leaflet on energy saving and environmental protection · FTA – press release of 1 April 2026
Process
How to get your subsidies
- Inspection and designWe look at your building and the existing heating and calculate the required heating output.
- Quote and documentsYou receive a quote. We compile the information for the application – depending on the programme WPSM, performance guarantee, photos of the old heating and the energy reference area.
- Application before construction startsThe subsidy application is submitted before work begins. We help with filling it in; depending on the programme, your signature as owner is required.
- Permit or notificationAt the same time, we clarify the building permit or notification including the noise protection certificate.
- Installation and commissioningWe only start the installation after the confirmation of receipt or approval.
- Completion and payoutAfter commissioning, the completion report with invoices and proofs is submitted; the subsidy office then pays out.
GEAK Plus: A building energy certificate with an advisory report shows the condition of your building and sensible measures. Depending on the programme, it is a prerequisite (e.g. EKZ requires GEAK class D or better), and the Canton of Zurich subsidises advisory reports such as the GEAK Plus. If you also plan to renovate the building envelope, the Canton of Zurich recommends starting with a GEAK Plus.
Read more
Services
Planning, building permits, installation, maintenance and repairs – for all brands
FAQ
Questions from the region
Do I have to submit the subsidy application before installation?
Yes. In the cantons of Zurich and Aargau, the application must be submitted before construction starts. In the Canton of Zurich, construction may begin after the automatic confirmation of receipt.
How much subsidy is there for an air/water heat pump in the Canton of Zurich?
According to the 2026 subsidy programme, CHF 2 900 up to 15 kW heating output, above that CHF 160 per additional kW. In the city of Zurich, municipal contributions are added.
Is an air conditioning system also subsidised?
At cantonal level, replacing heating with heat pumps with water-based heat distribution is subsidised. For its own grid customers, EKZ subsidises the replacement of decentralised electric heaters with air/air heat pumps (air conditioners with a heating function).
Do you help with the subsidy application?
Yes. We compile the technical information and documents and support you with the application – together with the building permit or notification.
Let’s discuss your project
We check which subsidies are possible for your property and submit the application with you in good time.