Housing and environment: how Swiss real estate becomes more sustainable

The urgency of an ecological transition in the Swiss building stock

Global warming is a reality, and the construction sector must take its share of responsibility. The building stock, whether individual or collective housing, consumes a significant amount of energy for heating systems, domestic hot water and electricity. Dependence on fossil fuels (oil, gas) is a major problem, as are heat losses linked to insufficient insulation.

Switzerland has committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. This ambitious goal requires a radical transformation of the building stock. It is imperative to accelerate the energy renovation of existing buildings and to promote the construction of new homes with a low environmental impact.

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The sustainability challenge of the Swiss building stock

The Federal Housing Office (OFL) emphasises the importance of a healthy environment for quality of life in Switzerland, while recognising the negative effects of the building stock on it. Environmental factors play a crucial role in the well-being of the population, which is increasingly exposed to extreme weather events. Adopting more ecological lifestyles is therefore becoming necessary.

Specifically, the OFL calls for a holistic approach to the environmental sustainability of the building stock, integrating the entire life cycle of the building, from design to demolition. The reuse of construction materials and recycling are presented as important solutions.

Despite the progress made, the building energy refurbishment rate only reaches 1.5%. Furthermore, the Swiss building stock still represents a quarter of the country's total CO2 emissions. The increase in the number of households and the evolution of lifestyles have led to a growth in living space per person, thus contributing to urban sprawl and its environmental consequences.

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FOEN: 6 levers to make the building stock less energy-intensive

The Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) proposes the following 6 solutions to reduce the impact of the properties that make up the building stock on the environment in Switzerland:

1. Develop quality urban densification and create varied green spaces.
2. Heat and cool without fossil fuels.
3. Encourage the energy refurbishment of older buildings.
4. Promote space-saving forms of housing.
5. Remove poor incentives regarding land consumption.
6. Circular economy in the building stock: use ecological construction materials, repurpose existing buildings and reuse construction materials.

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How to reduce consumption for sustainable housing?

Several solutions exist to improve the energy performance of your home and contribute to the refurbishment of the Swiss building stock:

• Thermal insulation: good insulation of windows, walls and roof significantly reduces heat losses and therefore energy consumption.
• Replacement of fossil fuel heating: switching to renewable heating systems (heat pump, wood, solar thermal) is a key step in reducing the CO2 emissions of a property.
• Production of renewable energy: installing photovoltaic solar panels allows you to produce your own electricity and reduce your dependence on the grid.
• Controlled ventilation: efficient ventilation ensures healthy air and limits heat loss from your house or apartment.
• Choice of ecological materials: favour ecological and local construction materials to minimise the environmental impact.
• Water consumption optimisation: install water-saving equipment (taps, showers) and harvest rainwater, or even wastewater.

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Housing and environment: financial support for energy renovation

The Confederation offers a wide range of subsidies and financial support to encourage the energy renovation of the building stock. The Buildings Programme is a flagship scheme that allows owners to obtain subsidies to insulate their home, install a heat pump, replace heating, improve the CECB class, etc. The cantons and municipalities complement this scheme with other programmes specific to the building stock.

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EDIREX: your partner to reduce the environmental impact of your home

Do you want to renovate your home and make it more environmentally friendly? EDIREX supports you in all your energy renovation work. Our platform connects private individuals with qualified professionals in all trades in Switzerland: masons, electricians, plumbers, joiners, solar panel installers, etc.

Benefit from our services:

• Free quotes with no obligation: compare offers from local companies and find the best solution for your project.
• Qualified professionals: we rigorously select our partners to guarantee you quality services.
• Personalised support: our experts advise and guide you throughout your project.
• Save time and money: simplify your procedures and optimise your budget thanks to our platform.