Energy renovation

Where to start? The CECB

The Cantonal Building Energy Certificate (CECB) is the mandatory starting point. Performed by a certified expert, it rates the building's performance on an A (excellent) to G (very poor) scale and identifies heat-loss areas. Cost: CHF 500 to 1,200.

The CECB+ is an enhanced version that includes a consulting report with 3 costed renovation variants (light, medium, full) and their energy impacts. Cost: CHF 1,500 to 3,000, often subsidised at 50%.

The 4 priority areas

The thermal losses of an un-renovated house are typically distributed as follows:

1. Roof: 25-30% of losses - prioritise roof insulation
2. Exterior walls: 20-25% - exterior or interior insulation
3. Windows: 10-15% - replace single glazing
4. Floor: 7-10% - insulate the slab or floor

Heating accounts for the rest and should be tackled AFTER insulation (to properly size the new system).

Price by area (2026, 150 m² villa)

Cantonal and federal subsidies

The federal Building Programme (over 30 participating cantons) subsidises:

• Roof insulation: CHF 40-60/m²
• Facade insulation: CHF 40-60/m²
• Replacement of fossil heating with a heat pump: CHF 3,000 to 10,000

Cantonal subsidies add to this. 2026 examples:

• Vaud: bonus of CHF 2,000 to 8,000 for a complete renovation
• Geneva: GEnergie support up to CHF 25,000 for a full renovation
• Fribourg: 40% of costs under the Ecochèque programme
• Valais: flat-rate CHF 5,000 to 15,000 depending on scope

Applications must always be submitted BEFORE work begins.

Tax deductions

Most energy renovation work is fully deductible from taxable income in Switzerland. Spread over several years for large investments. A tax gain of 25 to 40% depending on your tax bracket.

Recommended order of execution

1. CECB+ for a complete diagnostic (1 month)
2. Subsidy applications submitted BEFORE work (1-2 month processing time)
3. Envelope insulation: roof + walls + windows (3-6 months)
4. New heating system: heat pump or solar (1-2 months)
5. Mechanical ventilation if airtightness is increased (1 month)

Total duration of a complete energy renovation

For a villa: 6 to 12 months. For a PPE (storey ownership) building: 12 to 24 months (assembly decisions). Plan for 2 to 4 additional months for studies, quotes and permits.

Return on investment

A complete energy renovation (CHF 80,000 to 150,000 for a villa) pays off in 12 to 20 years, factoring in:

• Annual energy savings: CHF 2,000 to 5,000
• Subsidies: 20-40% of total cost
• Tax deductions: 25-40% of the net
• Resale value increase: 5-10% of property value

Common mistakes

1. Renovating the heating before insulation - you oversize then have to resize
2. Forgetting ventilation - an airtight envelope without MVHR creates mould
3. Requesting subsidies after work - they're refused if invoices pre-date the application
4. Neglecting thermal bridges - 15-20% of losses can come from them

Official sources

• Building Programme
• CECB
• SwissEnergy
• MoPEC - Model Cantonal Energy Regulations