The air-source heat pump has emerged as the #1 solution for replacing oil or gas boilers in Swiss residential buildings. In 2025, it accounted for 78% of new heating installations in existing homes. Why such success? It combines energy efficiency, installation simplicity, and broad eligibility for federal and cantonal grants.
This guide covers everything a homeowner needs to understand before committing: technical principle, real cost, COP, sizing, 2026 grants, recommended brands, lifespan, maintenance.
How does an air-source heat pump work?
The principle is elegantly simple: the heat pump extracts heat from outside air, concentrates it through a thermodynamic cycle (compression-expansion of a refrigerant), and transfers it to your heating circuit's water.
For 1 kWh of electricity consumed, a properly-sized HP delivers 3.5 to 4.2 kWh of heat. This ratio is called COP (Coefficient of Performance). Over a full season, we speak of SCOP (S for seasonal), accounting for temperature variations.
Key takeaway. With a SCOP of 3.8, you pay 1 CHF of electricity to get the equivalent of 3.80 CHF of oil. This differential makes HPs competitive — and amplifies each year as fossil energy prices rise.
How much does an air-source HP cost in 2026?
For a 150 m² family home in French-speaking Switzerland, expect (all-inclusive):
| Configuration | CHF range |
|---|---|
| Monobloc air-source HP (8-12 kW) | 25,000 – 32,000 |
| Split air-source HP (10-14 kW) | 28,000 – 38,000 |
| High-temperature HP (existing radiators) | 30,000 – 42,000 |
2026 grants: what you actually get back
In Geneva and Vaud cantons, several grants stack:
- Federal Building Programme: ~4,000 CHF.
- Cantonal GE: ~5,500 CHF.
- Cantonal VD: ~5,000 CHF.
For a 30,000 CHF project in Geneva, the net after grants is around 20,500 CHF. This is the figure to keep in mind for real ROI calculations.
Continue reading
For full details (efficiency factors, noise considerations, lifespan, warranties), see the French version of this guide. For a personalized quote, request a free quote — an eco-advisor will call back within 48 working hours.
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