Renewable heating

The approximately two million buildings in Switzerland represent a central element of the energy revolution, since almost 40% of the total energy consumption and 30% of the total CO₂ emissions (excluding international air traffic) currently occur here. At present, around two thirds of all buildings in Switzerland are still heated with fossil - that is, non-renewable - energy sources.

This dependence on fossil energy is no longer considered adequate and stands in the way of achieving the climate targets; after all, the Federal Council decided in August 2019 that Switzerland should produce zero greenhouse gas emissions overall from the year 2050 onwards (net zero emissions target). A widespread move to renewable heating promises to make a significant contribution to achieving the desired goal of climate neutrality and ensuring a sustainable energy future. Modern renewable heating systems can not only save individuals money and increase the value of a property, but they also benefit the climate and the environment.

Renewable heating systems are those that use a renewable and usually domestic source of energy and heat (air, geothermal, water, waste heat, wood or solar). Non-renewable heating, on the other hand, uses fossil fuels, namely heating oil and natural gas. These resources are not available in inexhaustible quantities. Electric heating systems are also classified as non-renewable since the energy source cannot be determined.

Although Switzerland was for a long time the European country with the highest percentage of oil heating systems, which incidentally can still be legally installed nationally, renewable heating systems, first and foremost the heat pump, are clearly on the rise.

This map shows the progress of each of the cantons and municipalities in Switzerland towards comprehensive renewable heating. The value "Share of renewable heating" shows what percentage of all heated buildings are equipped with renewable heating at a given time.