LED bulbs use 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs — DOE
    Turning off lights when leaving saves $30-50/year per household — ENERGY STAR
    Standby power ('vampire load') can account for 5-10% of home energy use — DOE
    ENERGY STAR certified TVs use 25% less energy than standard models
    Programmable thermostats can save about 10% on heating/cooling — DOE
    Sealing air leaks can save 10-20% on heating and cooling costs — ENERGY STAR
    Heat pumps can reduce heating energy use by 50% vs. electric resistance — DOE
    Ceiling fans allow you to raise AC settings 4°F with no comfort loss — DOE
    Heating water accounts for about 18% of home energy use — DOE
    Low-flow showerheads save 2,700 gallons/year for a family of four — EPA
    Washing clothes in cold water can save $60+/year on water heating — ENERGY STAR
    Fixing a leaky faucet can save 3,000+ gallons/year — EPA
    ENERGY STAR refrigerators use 9% less energy than standard models
    Clean refrigerator coils annually for optimal efficiency — DOE
    Air-drying dishes instead of heat-dry saves 15-50% on dishwasher energy — DOE
    Proper attic insulation can cut heating/cooling costs by 15% — ENERGY STAR
    Windows can account for 25-30% of home heating/cooling energy use — DOE
    Window film can reduce solar heat gain by up to 70% — DOE
    Average US home solar system offsets 3-4 tons of CO₂ annually — EPA
    Solar panel costs have dropped 70%+ over the past decade — SEIA
    EVs cost about 60% less to fuel than gas vehicles — DOE
    Proper tire inflation improves gas mileage by 0.6% on average — DOE
    The average US household spends $2,000+/year on energy — EIA
    ENERGY STAR products have saved Americans $500 billion on energy bills
    LED bulbs use 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs — DOE
    Turning off lights when leaving saves $30-50/year per household — ENERGY STAR
    Standby power ('vampire load') can account for 5-10% of home energy use — DOE
    ENERGY STAR certified TVs use 25% less energy than standard models
    Programmable thermostats can save about 10% on heating/cooling — DOE
    Sealing air leaks can save 10-20% on heating and cooling costs — ENERGY STAR
    Heat pumps can reduce heating energy use by 50% vs. electric resistance — DOE
    Ceiling fans allow you to raise AC settings 4°F with no comfort loss — DOE
    Heating water accounts for about 18% of home energy use — DOE
    Low-flow showerheads save 2,700 gallons/year for a family of four — EPA
    Washing clothes in cold water can save $60+/year on water heating — ENERGY STAR
    Fixing a leaky faucet can save 3,000+ gallons/year — EPA
    ENERGY STAR refrigerators use 9% less energy than standard models
    Clean refrigerator coils annually for optimal efficiency — DOE
    Air-drying dishes instead of heat-dry saves 15-50% on dishwasher energy — DOE
    Proper attic insulation can cut heating/cooling costs by 15% — ENERGY STAR
    Windows can account for 25-30% of home heating/cooling energy use — DOE
    Window film can reduce solar heat gain by up to 70% — DOE
    Average US home solar system offsets 3-4 tons of CO₂ annually — EPA
    Solar panel costs have dropped 70%+ over the past decade — SEIA
    EVs cost about 60% less to fuel than gas vehicles — DOE
    Proper tire inflation improves gas mileage by 0.6% on average — DOE
    The average US household spends $2,000+/year on energy — EIA
    ENERGY STAR products have saved Americans $500 billion on energy bills
    LED bulbs use 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs — DOE
    Turning off lights when leaving saves $30-50/year per household — ENERGY STAR
    Standby power ('vampire load') can account for 5-10% of home energy use — DOE
    ENERGY STAR certified TVs use 25% less energy than standard models
    Programmable thermostats can save about 10% on heating/cooling — DOE
    Sealing air leaks can save 10-20% on heating and cooling costs — ENERGY STAR
    Heat pumps can reduce heating energy use by 50% vs. electric resistance — DOE
    Ceiling fans allow you to raise AC settings 4°F with no comfort loss — DOE
    Heating water accounts for about 18% of home energy use — DOE
    Low-flow showerheads save 2,700 gallons/year for a family of four — EPA
    Washing clothes in cold water can save $60+/year on water heating — ENERGY STAR
    Fixing a leaky faucet can save 3,000+ gallons/year — EPA
    ENERGY STAR refrigerators use 9% less energy than standard models
    Clean refrigerator coils annually for optimal efficiency — DOE
    Air-drying dishes instead of heat-dry saves 15-50% on dishwasher energy — DOE
    Proper attic insulation can cut heating/cooling costs by 15% — ENERGY STAR
    Windows can account for 25-30% of home heating/cooling energy use — DOE
    Window film can reduce solar heat gain by up to 70% — DOE
    Average US home solar system offsets 3-4 tons of CO₂ annually — EPA
    Solar panel costs have dropped 70%+ over the past decade — SEIA
    EVs cost about 60% less to fuel than gas vehicles — DOE
    Proper tire inflation improves gas mileage by 0.6% on average — DOE
    The average US household spends $2,000+/year on energy — EIA
    ENERGY STAR products have saved Americans $500 billion on energy bills
    Active
    Switzerland
    General

    Das Gebäudeprogramm (Switzerland)

    Cantonal subsidies supporting building envelope insulation and renewable energy integration across Switzerland.

    Available Amount

    Up to 10,000 - 30,000 CHF

    Start Date

    January 1, 2010

    End Date

    Ongoing

    Eligibility

    Swiss property owners; exact rules and subsidy amounts vary by canton.

    Eligible Upgrades & Scope

    Roof, facade, and floor insulationHeat pump installationsSolar heating

    Policy Context & Overview

    Short Answer: Funded partly by the CO2 levy, this unified program supports canton-specific subsidies to lower the heat energy demand of Swiss buildings.

    The Swiss Building Program (Das Gebäudeprogramm) is a joint initiative of the Swiss Confederation and the individual Cantons. Buildings account for approximately 40% of Switzerland's energy consumption and a third of its greenhouse gas emissions. Funded partly by the national CO2 levy, the program provides financial incentives to help property owners insulate building envelopes and replace fossil fuel heating (oil and gas) with clean, renewable alternatives.

    Subsidy Structure & Cantonal Variations

    While the program operates under a national framework, the specific subsidy values, application portals, and requirements are managed by the individual Cantons (based on the Harmonized Subsidy Model - MuKEn):

    • Building Envelope Insulation: Grants typically range from 40 to 100 CHF per square meter of insulated roof, facade, or floor area.
    • Fossil Fuel Replacement: Replacing oil or gas boilers with heat pumps (air-to-water or geothermal). Subsidies range from 2,000 to 10,000 CHF based on system size.
    • Geothermal Geoloop Bonus: Cantons offer additional bonuses to cover the cost of drilling vertical borehole heat exchangers for geothermal heat pumps.

    Eligibility Criteria

    • Property Type: Residential, commercial, and public buildings in Switzerland.
    • Minimum Scope: Facade and roof insulation projects must meet minimum thermal resistance targets (U-value ≤ 0.20 W/m²K).
    • GEAK Certificate Gate: Many cantons require homeowners to obtain a GEAK (Cantonal Building Energy Certificate) before deep renovation funding is approved.

    Step-by-Step Application Guide

    1. Conduct GEAK Audit: Hire a certified energy advisor to assess your property and draft a GEAK report.
    2. Design Renovations: Choose insulation measures or heat pump upgrades that meet cantonal efficiency guidelines.
    3. Submit Cantonal Application: Apply online via your Canton's specific Gebäudeprogramm portal before starting construction work.
    4. Execute & Verify: Complete construction using certified contractors.
    5. Receive Payout: Submit final invoices and your GEAK compliance certificate to claim the subsidy.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    • Q: Can I apply for a subsidy after starting construction work?
      • A: No. In all cantons, the subsidy application must be submitted and approved before any construction work begins. Retroactive applications are rejected.
    • Q: What is a GEAK certificate?
      • A: The GEAK (Gebäudeenergieausweis der Kantone) is Switzerland's official building energy rating system, classifying properties on a scale from A (highest efficiency) to G (lowest efficiency).

    Ready to Apply?

    Visit the official program website to check your eligibility, find application forms, and get the most up-to-date information.

    Visit Official Program Site

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