Which heat pump is right for your home?
What you need to consider when choosing a heat pump
What space is available inside and outside? (For the system, geothermal drilling, light well or outdoor unit)
How much heat do I need? (Energy consumption over the last three years, size of heated area)
What condition are my house and its technical systems in? (Insulation, radiators or underfloor heating, solar panel system, etc.)
What building and planning regulations do I need to be aware of? (Minimum distances, etc.)
How do I want to buy and pay for the heat pump? (Low upfront investment and slightly higher running costs, or vice versa; financing from own funds, a loan or mortgage)
How to replace your heating system
You can replace your heating system in three simple steps: do some initial research, seek advice and put your plan into action. Before you know it, you’ll be heating your home with renewable energy straight from nature.
Initial assessment
Consultation and quotes
Finalising your plan
Initial assessment
Start by gathering some basic information, as this will help later on during consultations with CTA and your regional installer. Try to assess the following:
Building condition and insulation
Energy consumption over the last three years
Heated living space (energy reference area in m2)
Current heating system
Available space inside and outside
Possible heat sources (ground probe, groundwater, air)
Consultation and quotes
Take advantage of a no-obligation consultation with CTA and your regional installer
Get two or three quotes and compare them
Finalising your plan
Agree on what the installer will and won’t do (responsibilities)
Apply for any available subsidies (must be done before work begins)
Get any necessary permits
Arrange financing
How much does a heat pump cost?
Our cost calculator allows you to quickly and easily obtain a price estimate.
Finding the right heat pump depends on several factors
Structural constraints, legal requirements, heating requirements and cost all play a key role.
Legal requirements and possible heat sources
Whether you can use air, geothermal or groundwater as your heat source depends on cantonal and local building and planning regulations, such as permits and minimum distances from neighbouring properties (for outdoor units and geothermal probes). These regulations determine which types of heat pumps can even be considered for a detached house or apartment building.
Available space inside and outside
Space and access are key considerations when choosing a heat pump system. If you want to use geothermal probes or groundwater heat pumps, you need to make sure you can provide access for the necessary drilling machines. You will also need to consider pipe run length to the boiler room. There are two types of installation for air/water heat pumps. Outdoor heat pumps generally only require a small hole in the wall, making them particularly cost-effective to install. Indoor heat pumps require air supply and exhaust ducts, and take up more space in the boiler room. However, they are often quieter and less noticeable, protected from the weather, and the only option that can commonly be installed without a permit.
Heating requirements and size
You can determine the right size of heat pump based on your building’s actual heating requirements. Energy consumption over the last three to five years and the size of the heated space in square metres are the two most important factors. You can use this information to work out the correct size of heat pump you need to ensure your new system is efficient, comfortable and durable.
Structural constraints and existing energy features
A building’s energy performance has a big impact on the heat output required. Well-insulated buildings require less heat output. During the planning phase, you should also consider any existing or planned photovoltaic or solar-panel systems and how heat will be distributed (underfloor heating or radiators), as different systems require different supply temperatures.
Costs, subsidies and value for money
Heat pumps come with higher upfront costs than fossil fuel heating systems, but they are much cheaper to run and maintain. They largely use free energy from nature and require very little maintenance. The investment pays off in the medium and long term because heat pumps are the cheapest way to heat homes over an entire service life. Subsidies from cantons and local authorities help to bring down the investment costs for homeowners. 100% of the costs are tax-deductible, even if spread over several tax periods.
