Heat pump Thurgau: what is still subsidised in 2026 – and what isn't

This page first says what many quotes keep quiet: for the classic single-family home with an air-to-water heat pump, there is usually no longer a cantonal contribution towards the unit in Thurgau. What is still available instead, how this shifts the calculation and what applies legally is set out here. Technology and scope of services at a glance: Heat pumps by ecoEn; for the roof in the same canton: Solar panels Thurgau.

What does a heat pump cost?

Costs depend on the system, the condition of the heat distribution and the structural conditions. The reference is SwissEnergy's empirical values for a single-family home, including storage tank and hydraulic integration:

Guideline values according to SwissEnergy, before incentives; they include heat pump, installation, storage tank and hydraulics. Removal of the old heating and permits are not explicitly included. The individual quote is binding.

What Thurgau still subsidises in 2026

Brine-to-water and water-to-water heat pumps up to 70 kW that replace a fossil heating system or fixed electric resistance heating receive a one-off investment contribution of CHF 9,000 in single- and two-family homes, or CHF 16,000 from three dwellings and for non-residential buildings. From 20 kW thermal rated output, the contribution is capped at 50 watts per m² of energy reference area.

For air-to-water heat pumps up to 70 kW, the incentive programme has been discontinued. Above 70 kW, there is CHF 4,800 plus CHF 180 per kW. One route remains open, however, and it is the most valuable in the entire programme: anyone who replaces decentralised electric resistance heating or decentralised fossil heating without a hydraulic distribution system receives CHF 15,000 for the first installation of a hydraulic heat distribution system up to 250 m² of energy reference area, and CHF 60 per m² above that – also in combination with an air-to-water heat pump.

Then there's the point where Thurgau meets us halfway: the additional contribution for solar power systems with heat pumps of CHF 7,000 for systems up to 70 kW (at least CHF 3,000, at most CHF 40,000; the existing energy reference area is decisive). It is paid only once and cannot be combined with the solar contribution from the building envelope programme. If you're planning to replace your heating anyway, your own roof gets you something twice: the contribution and cheaper electricity for the heat pump (Running a heat pump on solar power).

For all contributions: the replacement of a renewable heating system is not subsidised (wood heating, heat pump), the contribution is at most 50 percent of the total investment, and the application must be submitted before construction or installation starts via the canton's energy incentive portal. Rates and conditions: 2026 energy incentive programme of the Canton of Thurgau.

Do you have to switch in Thurgau – and by when?

A renovation obligation applies to central electric heating and central electric water heaters: they must be replaced with state-of-the-art technology within 15 years, i.e. by 2035. That is one of the more generous deadlines in German-speaking Switzerland – in the Canton of Zurich, the corresponding deadline expires as early as 2030.

For decentralised electric heating and electric boilers, Thurgau – departing from the enforcement guidelines – has no deadline. Replacement is only due in the event of a major conversion – that is, when the conversion costs arise predominantly inside the building (§ 4a para. 4 EnergieV). If you're not converting anyway, you decide on the timing yourself; that's exactly why it's worth planning the switch rather than waiting until the unit fails.

When replacing the heat generator, the heating system must be retrofitted so that heat output can be set individually and controlled independently in every heated room – in practice usually via thermostatic valves. New resistance heating is only permitted in particularly efficient buildings, specifically from Minergie-P certification. Which proof is required when replacing a fossil heating system in an individual case depends on the cantonal enforcement guidelines; we clarify this with your municipality before planning. Basis: Energy Office of the Canton of Thurgau, enforcement guideline «Regelungen Kanton Thurgau». The current provisions apply.

References

Our documented reference systems are photovoltaic and storage projects – see Projects & references. For heating replacement, we show you comparable properties from the region in the consultation instead of stock images.

How your project works

1. Inventory. Heating, distribution, hot water and consumption – ideally while the old system is still running.
2. System and incentive clarification. Air-to-water or ground probe – in Thurgau, the incentive situation shifts the calculation, so that comes before choosing the system.
3. Heating load calculation & quote. Sizing based on calculation, quote with individually listed items.
4. Incentive application before construction. Submit via the energy incentive portal and wait for approval – only then is anything ordered.
5. Notification & permits. We handle the municipality, grid operator and, for ground probes, the drilling permit.
6. Removal & installation. Old heating out, heat pump in – a few working days for a single-family home.
7. Commissioning & fine-tuning. Set the heating curve, instruct, readjust – the point at which efficiency is decided.

Frequently asked questions

Guides on heating replacement

• Heat pump costs Switzerland: the items
• Heat pump incentives Switzerland: overview
• Ground probe: when drilling pays off
• Air-to-water or ground probe?
• Running a heat pump on solar power
• Heating replacement: the process in 7 steps
• Replacing an oil heating system: obligations, costs, tank
• Heat pumps in older buildings
• Combining a heat pump and photovoltaics