New Energy Act offers new opportunities

Switzerland has a clear goal: it aims to become climate-neutral by 2050 and ultimately to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions completely. Several pieces of legislation have been enacted to achieve this goal. For some homeowners, the new laws require significant changes to insulation and heating systems.

Oil and gas heating systems cause around 40% of CO2 emissions that harm the climate. Accordingly, the federal government and the cantons have enacted laws to phase out these conventional heating systems by no later than 2050.

New Energy Act in the canton of Zurich

The latest change in the law was implemented in the canton of Zurich on 28 November 2021. The following passage is at the heart of the new Zurich Act: “Only renewable energies may be used when replacing the boiler in existing buildings.” But what exactly does this mean for homeowners with property in the canton of Zurich?

If your old oil or gas heating system is no longer functional, you need to switch to a renewable heating system. However, depending on the building’s age and condition, this isn’t so easy in practice. For condominium owners, the situation is even more complex: the costs and organisation involved in replacing a heating system are considerable. In an apartment building, this affects all property owners at once, and depending on your personal situation, finding a suitable heating system can also involve major financial risk.

So, as the owner of an older property, what can you do?

1. You should carefully consider your options for renewable heating systems and how you’ll fund the switch.
2. Tackle the upgrade early on, as life can be very difficult if the old heating system stops working during the cold winter months.
3. You may also want to consider selling up, as in the current market, selling the property is often a more profitable alternative.

Heating upgrades: which system to choose?

If you want to keep the property, it’s a good idea to get specific information on the different upgrade options. Depending on the canton you live in, insulating your property is also sufficient, which means you can postpone replacing your heating system for a few more years. However, inevitably, the time will come when you have to install a new heating system, so it's worth your while familiarising yourself with the different options now. Our guide to heating upgrades gives you a useful overview and answers the following questions:

1. What are the legal requirements?
2. What is GEAK classification?
3. Which properties are affected by the Energy Act?
4. How do I calculate the energy rating?
5. What types of heating systems are available?
6. What are my options for an upgrade?

Do you need support with heating upgrades, a cost-benefit analysis or weighing up an upgrade against a potential sale? Our property experts will be happy to help with your queries. Give us a call, send us an email or pop in to your nearest Engel & Völkers shop. We’ll be happy to help!