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Heat pump

Complete guide to installing, choosing and maintaining a heat pump in Switzerland.

3 min read
691 words
last updated
6 Frequently asked questions

The heat pump (HP) has become the most installed heating system in new Swiss construction and energy renovations. It divides energy consumption by 3 to 5 compared to oil or gas heating, and benefits from cantonal subsidies that can cover 20 to 40% of the initial investment.

This guide gathers everything a homeowner in French-speaking Switzerland should know before choosing, installing and maintaining their heat pump: the 3 main types (air-to-water, water-to-water, geothermal), selection criteria based on the property, 2026 prices by category, subsidies by canton, and common mistakes to avoid.

How does a heat pump work?

A heat pump extracts free energy from a natural source (outdoor air, groundwater, or soil via geothermal probes) and delivers it inside the building as heat. The system only consumes electricity to compress a refrigerant that captures and transports this energy. For 1 kWh of electricity consumed, a heat pump typically delivers 3 to 5 kWh of heat - this is the coefficient of performance (COP).

The 3 types of heat pumps

Air-to-water heat pump: the most common and cheapest to install (CHF 25,000 to 40,000 for a villa). The outdoor unit extracts heat from ambient air, even at -15°C. Average COP of 3 to 4. Noise to watch out for: several cantons require minimum distances from neighbours.

Water-to-water heat pump: uses heat from a groundwater table at a constant temperature (10-12°C). Excellent COP (4 to 5), but requires a cantonal permit and 10-50 metre borings. Cost: CHF 40,000 to 60,000.

Geothermal heat pump (ground-to-water): vertical probes buried at 80-150 metres. The most efficient system (COP 4 to 5.5) and the quietest, but the highest initial investment: CHF 50,000 to 80,000 for a villa.

How to choose the right heat pump for your property?

The choice depends on 4 criteria: the type of home (single villa, apartment building, commercial building), insulation level (a heat pump is much more efficient in a well-insulated building), heated surface area, and available budget.

For a renovated villa with MoPEC-compliant insulation, an air-to-water heat pump is almost always the best value for money. For a new build or heavy renovation, geothermal becomes profitable over 15-20 years thanks to its superior COP and lifespan (25+ years).

Prices in French-speaking Switzerland (2026)

Type of HP Villa (150 m²) Apartment building (500 m²)
Air-to-water CHF 25,000 - 40,000 CHF 60,000 - 120,000
Water-to-water CHF 40,000 - 60,000 CHF 100,000 - 180,000
Geothermal CHF 50,000 - 80,000 CHF 150,000 - 300,000

These prices include thermal study, supply, installation and commissioning. They exclude ancillary work (removal of old heating, radiator adaptation, reinforced electrical connections).

Cantonal subsidies in French-speaking Switzerland

The federal Building Programme + cantonal subsidies cover 20 to 40% of the investment depending on the canton and the type of heat pump installed. Subsidies are more generous when the heat pump replaces fossil fuel heating (oil, gas) rather than electric heating.

  • Vaud: CHF 2,500 to 10,000 depending on capacity and type (cumulative with the Building Programme)
  • Geneva: GEnergie offers up to CHF 12,000 for a geothermal heat pump
  • Fribourg: up to CHF 8,000 for air-to-water heat pumps replacing fossil fuels
  • Valais: CHF 5,000 to 15,000 depending on COP and type
  • Neuchâtel: flat-rate aid of CHF 4,000 to 9,000

Applications must be submitted BEFORE work begins. An Edirex partner installer can help you with the paperwork.

Installation: how long does it take?

For a villa, installing an air-to-water heat pump takes 3 to 5 days. Water-to-water and geothermal also require 1 to 3 weeks for borings and groundwater tests. Plan for 2 to 4 months total between decision and commissioning (studies, quotes, orders, possible cantonal permit).

Maintenance and lifespan

A well-maintained heat pump lasts 15 to 25 years. Annual maintenance (CHF 200 to 400) includes: pressure check, filter cleaning, refrigerant circuit inspection, real COP test. Geothermal probes have a lifespan of 50+ years, only the pump itself must be replaced after 20-25 years.

Mistakes to avoid

  1. Oversizing the heat pump: an oversized HP cycles too often and wears out prematurely. Get a precise thermal study done.
  2. Forgetting to upgrade insulation: a heat pump in a poorly insulated building loses all its economic interest.
  3. Choosing the lowest bidder: prioritize EHPA certification and the installer's Swiss experience. Bad sizing costs thousands of francs in overconsumption.
  4. Ignoring noise: modern air-to-water heat pumps are quiet, but location is critical. Respect regulatory distances.

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Frequently asked questions

For a home renovated according to MoPEC, an air-to-water heat pump is almost always the best value for money (CHF 25,000 to 40,000). For new construction or a heavy renovation, geothermal (CHF 50,000 to 80,000) becomes profitable over 15 to 20 years thanks to its higher COP.

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