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Heat pump Zurich: costs, incentives and heating replacement by a specialist company

For a complete heating replacement with an air-to-water heat pump, SwissEnergy gives a reference of CHF 45,000–60,000, for a ground probe system CHF 55,000–80,000 including drilling – each before incentives. In 2026, the Canton of Zurich pays a flat CHF 2,900 (air-to-water up to 15 kW) or CHF 6,800 (ground probe), and since September 2022, a renewable system has been mandatory when replacing oil or gas heating. (As of August 2026)

This page brings together what concretely matters when replacing a heating system in the Canton of Zurich: reference costs, the cantonal incentives, the legal situation since 2022 and the process from inventory to commissioning. The technology and our services at a glance: Heat pumps by ecoEn. If you're switching from oil, start with Replacing an oil heating system.

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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:

SystemSwissEnergy reference (single-family home, complete)Cost drivers
Air-to-water heat pumpCHF 45,000–60,000Unit, installation, hydraulics, boiler room adaptation
Brine-to-water (ground probe)CHF 55,000–80,000Ground probe drilling (depth and subsoil)

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.

Plan heat pump and photovoltaics together?
The heat pump's electricity demand and the yield from your own roof are interlinked – we calculate both sides together.
The combination in detail

Heat pump incentives in the Canton of Zurich

The Canton of Zurich subsidises the replacement of an oil, gas or electric heating system with a heat pump – not new builds and not the replacement of an old heat pump. In 2026, a flat CHF 2,900 applies for an air-to-water heat pump up to 15 kW (plus CHF 160 per additional kW above that) and CHF 6,800 for ground probe or groundwater (plus CHF 420 per kW above that).

Anyone who replaces decentralised electric or floor-by-floor heating also receives up to CHF 15,000 for the first installation of radiators or underfloor heating. All rates and the application process: Heat pump incentives Canton of Zurich.

Two points decide between success and rejection: the application must be submitted before construction starts – anyone who orders first loses the contribution. And in certain district heating areas of the municipal energy planning, the heat pump is not subsidised; we check this for your address before planning. The current provisions of the canton apply.

Do you have to switch to renewables at all?

When replacing it, yes – since 1 September 2022, the cantonal Energy Act has required a renewable heating system in existing buildings. You don't have to switch off a running oil or gas heating system; the obligation only applies when the heat generator is replaced. Fossil heating may only remain if it is proven that renewable is technically impossible or causes more than 5 percent additional costs over the life cycle – and even then, an additional efficiency hurdle applies to the building. The rules, the official calculation tool and the municipality's responsibility: Zurich Energy Act when replacing heating.

Existing electric heating must be replaced by 2030 – here, early planning pays off twice, because the canton co-finances the heat distribution.

And the most common worry in older buildings: is the heat pump enough on cold days? In many Zurich properties, yes – today's units reach the required flow temperatures much better than earlier generations (propane heat pumps). Whether it's enough in your house is shown by the heating load calculation, not gut feeling: Heat pumps in older buildings.

References

Our documented reference systems are photovoltaic and storage projects – you'll find them under 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 legal clarification. Air-to-water or ground probe, district heating area, noise distances, permit question.
  3. Heating load calculation & quote. Sizing based on calculation, quote with individually listed items.
  4. Incentive application before construction. Submit and wait for confirmation of receipt – only then is anything ordered.
  5. Notification procedure & registrations. We handle the grid operator, municipality and any 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

What does a heat pump cost in the Canton of Zurich?
As a reference for a single-family home, SwissEnergy gives CHF 45,000–60,000 for a complete air-to-water system and CHF 55,000–80,000 for a ground probe system including drilling – each before incentives, including storage tank and hydraulics. Removal of the old heating comes on top. The quote after the site visit is binding.
How much does the Canton of Zurich pay towards a heat pump?
In 2026, a flat CHF 2,900 for an air-to-water heat pump up to 15 kW (plus CHF 160 per kW above that) and CHF 6,800 for ground probe or groundwater (plus CHF 420 per kW above that). When replacing decentralised electric heating, up to CHF 15,000 for heat distribution is added. Only replacement is subsidised, not new builds.
Do I have to replace my oil or gas heating?
Not as long as it's running. The obligation applies when replacing: since 1 September 2022, a renewable system has been mandatory in the Canton of Zurich, with a narrow exception based on life-cycle costs (more than 5 percent additional costs) and an additional efficiency hurdle. Existing electric heating must be replaced by 2030.
Air-to-water or ground probe – which suits Zurich?
In most cases air-to-water: no drilling permit, no drilling site, lower investment. The ground probe is more efficient and can cool almost for free in summer, but needs space, a permit and a permissible area. The situation on site decides which option fits – not the catalogue.
When do I have to submit the incentive application?
Before construction starts. Once the cantonal application platform has confirmed receipt, construction may begin. Anyone who orders first and applies afterwards loses the contribution – regardless of how eligible the system would be. We prepare the application for you.
Does a heat pump work in an older Zurich building with radiators?
In many cases, yes. Today's units reach the required flow temperatures much better than earlier generations. Whether it's enough in your house is shown by the heating load calculation; sometimes replacing individual radiators is cheaper than a larger unit.
How long does a heating replacement take?
The installation itself takes a few working days for a single-family home. What takes time is everything before: inventory, quotes, incentive application and notification procedure add up to several months. Plan in spring for the summer – then an interruption won't affect anyone.

Guides on heating replacement

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