Building Program: the flagship subsidy for energy renovation in Switzerland

What is the Buildings Program?

Created in 2010 by the Swiss Confederation and the cantons, the Buildings Program aims to reduce CO₂ emissions and to improve energy efficiency of the existing real estate stock.

It financially supports owners who undertake:

• Thermal insulation work (roofs, facades, floors).
• The replacement of fossil heating systems (oil, gas) with renewable installations.
• The installation of solar thermal panels or heat pumps.

The program is funded by the CO₂ tax, redistributed in the form of cantonal subsidies.
Specifically, you submit your application in your canton, and it applies the criteria set by the Confederation.

Types of work eligible for the Buildings Program

1. Thermal insulation of the building envelope

This is the central pillar of the program. Eligible insulation work includes:

• The roof (attics, slopes, flat roofs).
• Exterior or interior walls.
• Floors over basements or crawl spaces.

Main condition: achieve a U value (thermal conductivity) lower than the thresholds set by the canton (generally ≤ 0.25 W/m²K for walls).

Indicative subsidy:

• Between 30 and 50 CHF/m² insulated, depending on the performance achieved and the canton.
• A complete project (facade + roof) can thus entitle you to several thousand francs in subsidies.

2. Replacement of the heating system

The Buildings Program encourages the shift to renewable solutions:

• Air/water or geothermal heat pumps,
• Pellet boilers,
• Distant heating networks,
• Solar thermal systems for hot water production.

Typical amounts:

• Up to 8,000 CHF for a heat pump,
• 2,000 to 3,000 CHF for a solar thermal system,
• 5,000 CHF for a high-performance biomass boiler.

Amounts vary depending on the technology installed, the size of the building, and the executing canton.

3. Photovoltaic solar installation

Although photovoltaics are mainly supported by Pronovo (a separate federal program), the Buildings Program can complement this assistance when the project includes broader energy renovations (insulation + renewable energy production).

Avenir Rénovations Suisse can help you combine Pronovo assistance and that of the Buildings Program to maximize your funding.

Subsidy amounts by type of work

Conditions to benefit from the Buildings Program

1. Submission of the file before the start of work

This is an absolute rule: no subsidy will be granted if the work has already started before the submission of the file.
The project must be validated by the cantonal authorities before the first intervention.

2. Execution by an approved company

The work must be carried out by a recognized company meeting Swiss standards (SIA, Minergie, ISO).
Avenir Rénovations Suisse works exclusively with certified craftsmen to ensure compliance of the site and the eligibility for aid.

3. Compliance with energy performance

Each type of renovation must achieve specific efficiency values:

• Insulation compliant with cantonal minimum U values.
• Minimum efficiency for heating systems (COP ≥ 3.0 for heat pumps).
• Use of approved materials in accordance with federal guidelines.

4. Provide an energy audit (CECB+)

In many cantons, the completion of a CECB+ energy certificate is mandatory to obtain the subsidy.
This report identifies renovation priorities and justifies the project's efficiency.

The cost of this audit is itself subsidized (up to 1,000 CHF).

How to apply for aid?

Step 1: Diagnosis and estimate

Before any submission, the energy performance of the building must be assessed and a detailed estimate of the work must be established.

Step 2: Submission of the file

• The application is made via...