Heating replacement
Replace oil and gas heating with a heat pump
Heating replacement in Zurich, Aargau, Lucerne, Zug, Basel-Stadt and Basel-Landschaft: what your canton requires when you replace an oil or gas boiler, which subsidies are available and how the switch to an air-to-water or ground-source heat pump works.
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Photo: own installation
Heat pump instead of oil heating – the essentials
When your oil or gas heating reaches the end of its service life, all six cantons in our service area require a renewable share on replacement – in the canton of Zurich, Basel-Stadt and Basel-Landschaft, in principle even a fully renewable system, provided this is technically possible and economically viable.
In most single-family homes and many apartment buildings an air-to-water heat pump is the obvious solution: it is installed outdoors or indoors and uses the existing water-based distribution with radiators or underfloor heating. A ground-source heat pump is quieter and more efficient but needs a drilling permit – drilling is not allowed everywhere.
Important: subsidies usually have to be applied for before construction starts. So plan the replacement while the old heating is still running.
Replacing gas or oil heating in Zurich, Aargau, Lucerne, Zug and Basel: what applies?
The cantons implement the Model Cantonal Energy Regulations (MuKEn 2014) with different levels of strictness. The table summarises the rules for existing residential buildings.
| Canton | When replacing an oil or gas heating system | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Zurich | Renewable system mandatory if technically possible and no more than 5 % more expensive over the life cycle than a fossil replacement (proof with the EN-LCC-ZH calculator). Otherwise fossil allowed, but 10 % must be saved or covered renewably (e.g. standard solution). Every heating replacement requires a permit (WTA application). | zh.ch – heating replacement |
| Aargau | Since 1 April 2025: fossil replacement only with a cost proof that no more efficient, lower-CO₂ and economically viable alternative exists. In addition, max. 90 % non-renewable (standard solution, Minergie or GEAK class D). Notification required. | ag.ch – regulations and enforcement |
| Lucerne | In residential buildings max. 90 % non-renewable: standard solution, Minergie, GEAK class D or biogas certificates. Notification at least 20 days before work starts via energiemeldungen.lu.ch. | uwe.lu.ch – KEnG compact |
| Zug | Since 1 February 2024: cover at least 20 % of heat demand renewably or increase efficiency accordingly; a heat pump meets the requirement. Building notice with energy certificate to the municipality. | zg.ch – energy regulations |
| Basel-Stadt | Oil or gas heating must be replaced by a renewable system if technically possible and without extra cost. A fossil installation must be notified. A GEAK Plus is required for oil and gas heating systems 15 years old or older. | bs.ch – heating replacement |
| Basel-Landschaft | Since 2026 no new fossil heating systems in principle; defective boilers and burners of systems older than 15 years must be replaced renewably. Exceptions (technically impossible, uneconomical, district heating planned, hardship) only on application. | baselland.ch – heating replacement |
Summary without guarantee. Exceptions, hardship rules and details are in the linked sources; the decision of the competent authority is authoritative.
Heating replacement: how we replace your oil or gas heating
From the first meeting to a warm living room – in six steps.
1. Site visit
We look at the boiler room, consumption, radiators or underfloor heating, hot water and the installation location.
2. Design & quote
Determine heating output, choose an air-to-water or ground-source heat pump, quote with scope and date.
3. Subsidy & permit
Subsidy application before work starts, building application or notification to the building authority, with a noise assessment for air-to-water heat pumps.
4. Removal
Remove the old boiler; have the oil tank cleaned and disposed of by a specialist company or the gas connection decommissioned by the network operator.
5. Installation
Install heat pump, buffer tank, hot water and connections, commissioning.
6. Handover & service
Explain operation, documents for the subsidy office – and maintenance as required.
Subsidies: heat pump instead of oil heating
The Buildings Programme (Das Gebäudeprogramm) of the federal government and the cantons supports replacing fossil heating with heat pumps; payment is made via the canton and amounts differ by canton. Some municipalities and energy utilities have additional programmes.
Example canton of Zurich (2026 programme): CHF 2,900 for an air-to-water heat pump up to 15 kWth, CHF 6,800 for a ground-source or water-to-water heat pump up to 15 kWth – each when replacing oil, gas or electric heating and with an application before work starts.
Amounts and conditions for all six cantons are on our page Heat pump subsidies.
Calculation example: running costs of oil vs. heat pump
Only an example based on assumptions – not a quote and not a forecast. Energy prices fluctuate; investment, subsidies, maintenance and chimney sweep are not included.
| Assumption / result | Oil heating | Air-to-water heat pump |
|---|---|---|
| Heat demand (assumption) | 17,000 kWh per year | 17,000 kWh per year |
| Efficiency or seasonal performance factor (assumption) | 85 % | SPF 3.0 |
| Energy input | approx. 2,000 l heating oil (approx. 10 kWh/l) | approx. 5,700 kWh electricity |
| Price (assumption) | CHF 110 per 100 l | CHF 0.30 per kWh |
| Energy costs per year | approx. CHF 2,200 | approx. CHF 1,700 |
To calculate with your own figures, use the EnergieSchweiz heating cost calculator. The actual seasonal performance factor depends mainly on the flow temperature and the building.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to replace my working oil or gas heating now?
No. In all six cantons the rules only apply when the heat generator is replaced. Basel-Stadt requires a GEAK Plus for oil and gas heating systems aged 15 years or more. Still, plan the replacement early so you are not under time pressure if it fails.
Does a heat pump work in an older building with radiators?
Often yes. Heat demand and the required flow temperature are decisive. We check this during the site visit; sometimes it is worth enlarging individual radiators.
Air-to-water or ground-source heat pump?
The air-to-water heat pump is cheaper to buy and possible almost everywhere, but requires a noise assessment. A ground-source heat pump is more efficient, costs more and needs a drilling permit.
When do I have to submit the subsidy application?
Before work starts. If you build first, you usually lose the entitlement. We help you with the application.
What happens to the oil tank?
After the heating is removed, a specialist company cleans and disposes of it. We include this in the schedule.
Sources
- Canton of Zurich – heating replacement
- Canton of Aargau – regulations and energy enforcement
- Canton of Lucerne – KEnG compact
- Canton of Zug – energy regulations and enforcement
- Canton of Basel-Stadt – heating replacement
- Canton of Basel-Landschaft – replacing a fossil heating system
- Das Gebäudeprogramm (Buildings Programme)
- EnergieSchweiz – heating cost calculator
As of October 2026. No guarantee – the regulations and programmes of the federal government, canton and municipality are authoritative.
Quote for your heating replacement
Call or write to us – we inspect your heating and show you options, subsidies and costs.