Anyone who has to replace a gas heating system faces a fundamental question: go back to gas or switch to a heat pump? There is no one-size-fits-all answer. A new gas heating system may seem simpler in terms of initial cost, but it remains a fossil fuel heating system and is more dependent on gas prices, CO₂ levies, and cantonal regulations. A heat pump requires a more careful assessment of the building, but when replacing a fossil fuel heating system, it can often be a sensible long-term alternative.
Whether the heat pump is technically and economically suitable depends on the building condition, heat distribution, flow temperature, electricity tariff, gas price, subsidy conditions, location, and planned service life. That is precisely why the decision should not be based solely on the purchase price.
The most important points in brief
- A gas heating system uses fossil gas, while a heat pump uses ambient heat and electricity.
- The heat pump causes no direct combustion within the building and can be subsidised when replacing fossil fuel heating systems.
- SwissEnergy lists official reference values of approx. CHF 45’000–85’000 for heat pumps in single-family homes, including installation and storage, depending on type.
- Cost-effectiveness depends not only on the investment but also on operating costs, efficiency, subsidies and cantonal regulations.
- In older buildings, flow temperature, radiators and insulation determine whether a heat pump can run efficiently.
- New fossil fuel heating systems are increasingly subject to conditions depending on the canton; the requirements must be checked site-specifically before making a decision.
- As of 12.07.2026
- Sources at the end of the article
Comparison at a glance
| Topic | Gas heating | Heat pump |
|---|---|---|
| energy source | fossil gas | Ambient heat from air, ground or water plus electricity |
| Direct emissions in the building | yes, through combustion | no direct combustion in the building |
| Investment | often lower than the heat pump | higher, depending on type and building |
| Operating costs | dependent on gas price and CO₂ levy | depending on electricity tariff, efficiency and heat demand |
| Subsidy | generally less relevant | often worth checking when replacing fossil fuel heating systems |
| Planning | existing infrastructure can help | Check the building, flow temperature and location |
| Regulation | Increasingly restricted at cantonal level | renewable solution, often subsidised |
Purchase and costs
In terms of pure investment, a new gas heating system may initially appear cheaper. For the heat pump, there are official reference values from SwissEnergy that serve as a guideline. For a single-family home, including installation and storage, SwissEnergy states:
| Heat pump type | Guideline value for single-family homes according to SwissEnergy |
|---|---|
| air-to-water heat pump | approx. CHF 45,000–60,000 |
| Brine-to-water heat pump with borehole heat exchanger | approx. CHF 55,000–80'000 |
| water-to-water heat pump | approx. CHF 60,000–85,000 |
These values do not replace a quote. The effective costs depend on heating output, domestic hot water, dismantling, electrical work, sound insulation, permits, any borehole heat exchanger and subsidies. A detailed breakdown can be found under What does a heat pump cost in Switzerland?.
Compare quotes for free Are you considering whether switching from gas to a heat pump is worthwhile for your building? Through waermepumpen-guide.ch, you can submit your request for free and without obligation. Your request will be forwarded to up to three suitable specialist installers in your region who will create individual quotes. Compare quotes for free
Operating costs and energy prices
The running costs of both systems depend heavily on the location and consumption. For gas heating, the gas price, basic fees, CO₂ levy and any biogas share are relevant. For heat pumps, the electricity tariff, heat demand, seasonal performance factor, domestic hot water demand and operating settings are important.
SwissEnergy lists typical annual operating costs for heat pumps in single-family homes by system type. These values are guidelines and depend on the building:
| Heat pump type | Operating costs for electricity per year according to SwissEnergy |
|---|---|
| air-to-water heat pump | approx. CHF 1’000–1’600 |
| brine-to-water heat pump | approx. CHF 800–1'400 |
| water-to-water heat pump | approx. CHF 700–1'200 |
For a specific calculation, local gas and electricity tariffs, previous consumption and the expected efficiency of the heat pump should be used. ElCom provides official electricity tariff data; gas prices and cantonal requirements should be checked on a location-specific basis. More about electricity consumption: Electricity consumption of a heat pump.
CO₂ and energy policy
The gas heating system causes direct CO₂ emissions during operation because fossil gas is burned. The heat pump has no direct combustion in the building. How environmentally friendly it is overall depends on the electricity mix and its efficiency. With renewable electricity or a photovoltaic system, the balance improves further.
This point is not only ecologically relevant, but also economically: Fossil heating systems may be more strongly affected by CO₂ levies and cantonal regulations. The exact development should not be predicted in a blanket manner; the rules currently in force at the location are relevant.
Requirements and subsidy
The regulatory trend in Switzerland is towards renewable heating systems. Depending on the canton, the replacement of a fossil fuel heating system may be subject to conditions. Some cantons require renewable energy shares, efficiency proof or other specifications. What specifically applies depends on the canton, municipality, building and project.
Subsidies for heat pumps are implemented at cantonal level through the Buildings Programme. Cantons individually determine which measures they subsidise and under what conditions. The replacement of a fossil fuel heating system is often relevant. However, a subsidy is not guaranteed, and the application must generally be submitted before implementation. More on this: Heat pump subsidies in Switzerland 2026.
Consider regulation and subsidy Specialist installers can assess within the scope of the quote which requirements are relevant at your location and what subsidy options exist. Via waermepumpen-guide.ch, you can reach up to three suitable specialist installers from your region – free of charge and without obligation. Compare quotes for free
When are there strong reasons to choose a heat pump?
A heat pump is particularly worth considering if:
- the gas heating system must be replaced anyway,
- the building operates with moderate flow temperatures,
- the radiators are large enough or can be adjusted,
- subsidies are available at the location,
- a long-term solution is sought,
- a photovoltaic system is installed or planned,
- fossil energy is to be reduced.
When to check in more detail?
A closer assessment is needed for:
- an unrenovated older building with a very high flow temperature,
- small radiators and high heat demand,
- challenging noise conditions for an air-to-water heat pump,
- limited planned useful life of the property,
- unclear cantonal requirements,
- highly fluctuating energy prices.
Heat pump in an older building explains how to assess suitability for an existing property.
Typical errors in the decision
- Comparing only purchase costs.
- Ignoring running costs, subsidies and CO₂ aspects.
- Checking cantonal requirements too late.
- Ruling out a heat pump without assessing the building.
- Not having flow temperature and radiators assessed.
- Submitting the subsidy application only after awarding the contract or starting construction.
Checklist for the decision
- Age and condition of the gas heating system
- previous gas consumption
- Flow temperature and heat distribution
- Condition of insulation, windows and building envelope
- Location for the outdoor unit or alternative to an air-to-water heat pump
- Cantonal and municipal regulations
- subsidy options
- Electricity and gas prices at the location
- planned useful life of the property
- Possible photovoltaic combination
The right decision also depends on the project situation: In a new build with a heat pump, low flow temperatures can be planned early on; for existing oil systems, the guide replacing oil heating with a heat pump shows the specific process. In both cases, the heat pump should be correctly sized.
When is it worth comparing multiple quotes?
Those switching from gas to a heat pump receive different concepts depending on the specialist installer: air-to-water heat pump, borehole, adjustment of individual radiators, a different storage concept or different subsidy assumptions. Two to three complete quotes help make these differences visible. What you should pay attention to is shown in the Checklist for comparing quotes.
Conclusion
A gas heating system may appear simpler in terms of purchase, but remains a fossil system with a stronger dependence on gas prices, CO₂ levy and cantonal regulations. A heat pump costs more in investment, but can convince through efficiency, subsidy and lower direct emissions in suitable buildings. For many buildings with moderate flow temperatures, it is a solution worth considering in the long term. The decisive factor remains the specific assessment of the property.
Compare heat pump quotes Through waermepumpen-guide.ch, you can submit your request free of charge and without obligation. Your request will be forwarded to up to three suitable specialist installers from your region, who will prepare individual quotes. Compare quotes for free
Frequently asked questions and answers
Is a heat pump cheaper than a gas heating system?
Usually not at the point of purchase. Over its lifetime, it can be economically attractive depending on efficiency, electricity tariff, gas price, and subsidy. This can only be guaranteed after an individual calculation.
Can a gas heating system simply be replaced by a heat pump?
Not always 1:1. Building, flow temperature, radiators, domestic hot water and location must be checked.
Is there a subsidy for switching from gas to a heat pump?
Often yes, but it varies by canton and is not guaranteed. The application must generally be submitted before implementation.
What is more climate-friendly?
The heat pump does not cause direct combustion of fossil energy in the building. The overall balance depends on the electricity mix and efficiency.
Is a new gas heating system still worth it?
This depends on the building and cantonal regulations. For older buildings without a feasible alternative in the short term, an individual assessment may be necessary. However, the trend in subsidy and energy policy clearly favours renewable heating systems.
Sources and further information
- SwissEnergy / Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE): Heating systems, costs, operating costs and heat pumps
- The Buildings Programme: Subsidy for replacing fossil fuel heating systems and cantonal implementation
- Cantonal energy offices: Regulations regarding fossil fuel heating systems and heating replacement
- ElCom: electricity tariff data
- Price Supervisor / federal authorities: energy and gas price information
