Energy Savings in Switzerland 2025: Complete Guide

Energy prices in Switzerland have increased significantly in recent years, with electricity costs rising 20-30% in many regions. The average Swiss household now spends CHF 1,200-2,000 annually on electricity alone. But with the right strategies, you can reduce your energy consumption by 20-40% and save hundreds of francs per year.

Data: December 2024

Understanding Swiss Energy Costs

Average Energy Expenses per Household

Annual costs for typical 4-person household:

• Electricity: CHF 1,500-2,000
• Heating (gas/oil): CHF 2,000-3,500
• Hot water: CHF 400-800
• Total: CHF 3,900-6,300/year

What Drives Your Energy Bill?

Electricity bill components:

1. Energy cost (40-50%): Actual electricity consumed
2. Network fees (40-50%): Grid infrastructure and maintenance
3. Taxes and levies (10-15%): Federal and cantonal charges

You can only influence the energy cost portion, which is why switching providers or tariffs has limited impact compared to reducing consumption.

Swiss Energy Market: Can You Change Providers?

Liberalization Status

Free market customers (annual consumption >100,000 kWh):

• Large businesses and industries
• Can choose any electricity provider
• Negotiate prices directly

Regulated market customers (consumption <100,000 kWh):

• All households
• Most small businesses
• Served by local utility monopoly
• You cannot freely switch providers

What You CAN Do

Even though you can't switch providers as a household customer, you can:

• Choose different tariffs from your local utility
• Opt for renewable energy (usually slightly higher cost)
• Reduce consumption through efficiency
• Install solar panels and sell excess to grid

Major Swiss Energy Providers by Region

Canton/Region	Main Provider	Website	Avg. Cost (Rp/kWh)*
Zurich	EKZ, EWZ	ekz.ch, ewz.ch	25-30 Rp
Bern	BKW	bkw.ch	23-28 Rp
Basel	IWB	iwb.ch	24-29 Rp
Geneva	SIG	sig-ge.ch	22-27 Rp
Vaud	Romande Energie	romande-energie.ch	23-28 Rp
Lucerne	CKW	ckw.ch	24-29 Rp
St. Gallen	St. Galler Stadtwerke	sgsw.ch	25-30 Rp
Ticino	AET, AIL	aet.ch	20-25 Rp

*Total price including network fees and levies. Prices vary by consumption profile and commune.

Available Tariff Options

1. Single Tariff (Eintarif)

How it works:

• Same price all day and night
• Simplest option
• Best for: Low overall consumption

Average cost: 25-30 Rp/kWh total

2. Day/Night Tariff (Doppeltarif)

How it works:

• Lower rate at night (typically 10pm-6am)
• Higher rate during day
• Requires special meter (usually available)

Typical rates:

• Day (6am-10pm): 28-33 Rp/kWh
• Night (10pm-6am): 18-23 Rp/kWh

Best for:

• Heat pump users
• Electric vehicle charging
• Households that can shift consumption

3. Dynamic Tariff (Dynamischer Tarif)

How it works:

• Prices vary by hour based on market rates
• Can be very cheap at off-peak times
• Requires smart meter and active management

Best for:

• Tech-savvy users
• Flexible consumption patterns
• EV owners with programmable charging

4. Green Energy Tariff (Ökostrom)

How it works:

• 100% renewable energy (hydro, solar, wind)
• Usually 1-5 Rp/kWh more expensive
• Supports sustainable energy production

Cost premium: +CHF 50-200/year for average household

Where Does Your Electricity Go?

Typical Consumption Breakdown (4-person household)

Category	Annual kWh	% of Total	Annual Cost
Heating/Cooling	1,500	30%	CHF 450
Hot water	1,200	24%	CHF 360
Kitchen appliances	800	16%	CHF 240
Washing/Drying	600	12%	CHF 180
Lighting	400	8%	CHF 120
Electronics/Entertainment	300	6%	CHF 90
Other	200	4%	CHF 60
Total	5,000 kWh	100%	CHF 1,500

Top 20 Energy Saving Tips

Heating and Cooling (Save CHF 200-400/year)

1. Lower room temperature by 1°C

• Savings: 6% of heating costs
• Annual savings: CHF 120-210
• Optimal: 20°C living room, 17°C bedroom

2. Use programmable thermostats

• Lower at night (16-17°C) and when away
• Savings: up to CHF 100-200/year
• Cost: CHF 50-150 per thermostat

3. Seal windows and doors

• Stop drafts with weather stripping
• Cost: CHF 20-50 for materials
• Savings: up to CHF 100-300/year

4. Close blinds and curtains at night

• Reduces heat loss through windows
• Free method
• Savings: up to CHF 50-100/year

5. Bleed radiators annually

• Trapped air reduces efficiency
• Free DIY task
• Improves heat distribution

Hot Water (Save CHF 100-200/year)

6. Lower water heater temperature to 60°C

• Prevents Legionella but saves energy
• Savings: up to CHF 50-100/year
• Check with your building manager first

7. Install water-saving shower heads

• Reduces hot water consumption by 30-50%
• Cost: CHF 20-50
• Savings: up to CHF 100-150/year

8. Take shorter showers

• 5 minutes instead of 10 minutes
• Saves water and energy
• Savings: up to CHF 80-120/year

9. Wash hands with cold water

• Unless heavily soiled, cold works fine
• Free habit change
• Savings: up to CHF 20-40/year

Kitchen Appliances (Save CHF 80-150/year)

10. Use lids when cooking

• Reduces cooking time and energy by 30%
• Free habit
• Savings: up to CHF 30-50/year

11. Match pot size to burner size

• Prevents energy waste
• Free optimization
• Savings: up to CHF 20-30/year

12. Use residual heat

• Turn off stove/oven 5-10 minutes before done
• Free technique
• Savings: up to CHF 25-40/year

13. Don't preheat oven unnecessarily

• Most dishes don't require it
• Savings: up to CHF 15-25/year

14. Run dishwasher only when full

• Use eco mode
• Savings: up to CHF 30-50/year

15. Boil water in electric kettle, not stove

• 50% more efficient
• Savings: up to CHF 20-30/year

Refrigeration (Save CHF 50-100/year)

16. Set correct fridge temperature

• Fridge: 5-7°C, Freezer: -18°C
• Each degree colder = 5% more energy
• Savings: up to CHF 30-60/year

17. Keep fridge/freezer full

• Thermal mass helps maintain temperature
• Improves efficiency
• Savings: up to CHF 20-40/year

18. Clean refrigerator coils annually

• Dust reduces efficiency
• Free maintenance
• Savings: up to CHF 20-30/year

Washing and Drying (Save CHF 80-120/year)

19. Wash clothes at 30°C instead of 60°C

• Modern detergents work at low temps
• Savings: up to CHF 40-70/year
• Clothes last longer too

20. Air-dry laundry instead of tumble dryer

• Tumble dryers are energy hogs
• Savings: up to CHF 100-200/year if you eliminate dryer use
• Use drying rack or outdoor line

Energy-Efficient Appliance Upgrades

When to Replace Old Appliances

Energy label classes:

• A+++ or A (new scale): Most efficient
• B-C: Acceptable
• D and below: Replace soon

Replacement ROI Examples

Old refrigerator (15+ years, class D):

• Annual consumption: 400 kWh (CHF 120)
• New A++ model: 150 kWh (CHF 45)
• Annual savings: CHF 75
• New fridge cost: CHF 600-1,200
• Payback period: 8-16 years

Old washing machine (10+ years):

• Annual consumption: 250 kWh (CHF 75)
• New efficient model: 150 kWh (CHF 45)
• Annual savings: CHF 30 (plus water savings)
• New machine cost: CHF 600-1,500
• Payback period: 20-50 years - Only replace when broken

Tumble dryer to heat pump dryer:

• Old dryer: 500 kWh/year (CHF 150)
• Heat pump dryer: 200 kWh/year (CHF 60)
• Annual savings: CHF 90
• New dryer cost: CHF 800-1,500
• Payback period: 9-17 years

Best Appliances for Energy Efficiency (2025)

Refrigerators:

• Miele K 7443 D (A+++): CHF 1,500, 125 kWh/year
• Liebherr CBNbe 6256 (A++): CHF 1,800, 188 kWh/year
• Electrolux EN3854MFX (A++): CHF 900, 200 kWh/year

Washing Machines:

• Miele WSD 323 WCS (A): CHF 1,600, 48 kWh/100 cycles
• Bosch WAV28G40 (A): CHF 1,200, 48 kWh/100 cycles
• Electrolux EW8F229ST (A): CHF 800, 52 kWh/100 cycles

Dishwashers:

• Miele G 7310 SCi (A+++): CHF 1,800, 187 kWh/year
• Bosch SMV68TX06E (A+++): CHF 1,200, 211 kWh/year
• Electrolux ESF8735ROX (A+++): CHF 900, 234 kWh/year

Lighting: Switch to LED

Cost Comparison (per bulb, 1,000 hours/year)

Type	Wattage	Lifespan	Annual Cost	Bulb Price
Incandescent	60W	1,000h	CHF 18	CHF 2
Halogen	42W	2,000h	CHF 13	CHF 5
CFL	13W	10,000h	CHF 4	CHF 8
LED	9W	25,000h	CHF 3	CHF 10

Replacing 20 bulbs with LED:

• Investment: CHF 200
• Annual savings: CHF 300
• Payback: 8 months
• Lifetime savings: CHF 3,000+

Best LED Bulbs (2025)

Budget:

• IKEA Ryet LED: CHF 3-5, 400 lumens, 25,000h
• Philips Essential LED: CHF 5-8, 806 lumens, 15,000h

Premium:

• Philips Hue White: CHF 15-20, smart control, 25,000h
• Osram Star+ LED: CHF 10-15, dimmable, 25,000h

Electronics and Standby Power

The Standby Problem

Typical standby consumption:

• TV: 3-10W
• Set-top box: 10-25W
• Gaming console: 10-15W
• Microwave: 3-5W
• Coffee machine: 3-8W
• Printer: 3-5W
• Chargers (not charging): 0.5-2W

Total for average household:

• 10-15 devices on standby
• Combined: 50-100W continuous
• Annual consumption: 450-900 kWh
• Annual cost: CHF 135-270

Solutions

Power strips with switches:

• Cost: CHF 15-30 each
• Turn off all devices with one switch
• Savings: up to CHF 100-200/year
• Payback: 2-3 months

Smart plugs:

• Cost: CHF 20-40 each
• Schedule on/off times
• Monitor consumption
• Control via app

Automatic standby killers:

• Cost: CHF 30-50
• Detects when main device turns off
• Cuts power to peripherals
• Great for TV/entertainment systems

Solar Power: Is It Worth It?

Typical Home Solar Installation

System size: 5-10 kWp (30-50 m² of panels) Total cost: CHF 15,000-30,000 Annual production: 5,000-10,000 kWh Subsidy (federal + cantonal): CHF 3,000-8,000 Net investment: CHF 12,000-22,000

Financial Return

Savings calculation:

• Self-consumption: 30-40% (1,500-4,000 kWh)
• Grid feed-in: 60-70% (3,500-6,000 kWh)
• Self-consumption savings: CHF 450-1,200/year
• Feed-in tariff income: CHF 150-500/year (varies by utility)
• Total annual benefit: CHF 600-1,700

Payback period: 12-20 years System lifespan: 25-30 years

When Solar Makes Sense

Good candidates:

• South-facing roof (optimal)
• Little to no shading
• Planning to stay 15+ years
• High electricity consumption (heat pump, EV)
• Environmental values (not just financial return)

Less attractive:

• North-facing roof
• Heavy shading from trees/buildings
• Rented property (need landlord approval)
• Moving within 10 years

Heat Pumps: The Future of Heating

Replacing Oil/Gas with Heat Pump

Traditional heating annual cost:

• Oil: CHF 2,500-4,000/year
• Gas: CHF 2,000-3,500/year

Heat pump annual cost:

• Electricity: CHF 1,200-2,000/year
• Annual savings: CHF 800-2,000

Installation costs:

• Air-source heat pump: CHF 25,000-35,000
• Ground-source heat pump: CHF 35,000-50,000
• Subsidies (federal + cantonal): CHF 10,000-25,000
• Net investment: CHF 15,000-35,000

Payback period: 10-20 years

When to Consider Heat Pump

Best timing:

• Existing heating system needs replacement
• Major renovation planned
• Building new home
• Long-term ownership (15+ years)

Requirements:

• Well-insulated building
• Low-temperature heating system (floor heating ideal)
• Sufficient space for outdoor unit
• Approval from building authorities

Government Subsidies and Programs

Das Gebäudeprogramm (Building Program)

Federal + cantonal subsidies for:

• Building insulation improvements
• Window replacement
• Heating system upgrades
• Solar panel installation

Typical subsidies:

• Insulation: CHF 40-80/m²
• Windows: CHF 70-150/m²
• Heat pump: CHF 3,000-15,000 flat or per kW
• Solar: CHF 380-1,600 per kWp

Application: Through cantonal energy office (varies by canton)

Tax Deductions

Energy-saving renovations are tax-deductible:

• Insulation improvements
• Efficient heating installation
• Solar panel installation
• Window replacement

Deduction amount: Full cost of energy-saving measures Timing: Deduct in year of payment or spread over 3 years

Energy Monitoring and Management

Smart Home Energy Management

Consumption monitoring systems:

• Smart meter (provided by utility)
• Home energy monitors (CHF 150-400)
• Smart plugs with consumption tracking

Benefits:

• Identify energy hogs
• Track savings from changes
• Optimize consumption timing
• Set consumption budgets

Popular systems in Switzerland:

• Smappee: CHF 300, comprehensive monitoring
• Shelly EM: CHF 80, budget option
• Utility-provided apps: Often free with smart meter

Best Energy Monitoring Apps

Utility provider apps:

• Most Swiss utilities offer free apps
• View consumption by hour/day/month
• Compare to previous periods
• Some offer tariff optimization advice

Third-party apps:

• EnergyCoach: Free, consumption tracking and tips
• StromGedacht: Free, shows cheapest consumption times
• EnergieSchweiz: Free, government app with saving tips

Seasonal Energy Saving Strategies

Winter (November-March)

Focus on heating efficiency:

• Lower thermostat by 1-2°C
• Use space heaters only for targeted warming
• Keep curtains closed at night
• Open blinds during sunny days
• Service heating system before winter

Expected savings: CHF 150-300

Summer (June-September)

Focus on cooling and reduced hot water heating:

• Use fans instead of AC when possible
• Close blinds during hottest hours
• Cook outside on grill
• Reduce hot water heater temperature
• Air-dry all laundry

Expected savings: CHF 100-200

Year-Round

Consistent habits:

• Unplug devices not in use
• Use cold water for washing when possible
• Turn off lights in empty rooms
• Fill dishwasher and washing machine
• Regular maintenance of all appliances

Creating Your Energy Savings Plan

Step 1: Measure Current Consumption

Track for one month:

• Note meter reading weekly
• Identify high-consumption periods
• Check utility bill for average daily use
• Use monitoring tools if available

Step 2: Set Reduction Goal

Realistic targets:

• Year 1: 10-15% reduction
• Year 2: 20-25% reduction
• Year 3: 30-40% reduction (with some investments)

Step 3: Implement Free/Low-Cost Measures

Immediate actions (CHF 0-50 investment):

• Adjust thermostat settings
• Change washing habits
• Improve standby management
• Optimize lighting use

Expected savings: CHF 200-400/year

Step 4: Plan Investments

Medium-term (CHF 50-500):

• LED bulb replacement
• Power strips and timers
• Water-saving devices
• Smart thermostats

Expected additional savings: CHF 150-300/year

Step 5: Consider Major Upgrades

Long-term (CHF 1,000+):

• Appliance replacement when due
• Insulation improvements
• Solar panels
• Heat pump

Expected additional savings: CHF 500-1,500/year

Conclusion: Your Path to Lower Energy Costs

Reducing energy consumption in Switzerland is both environmentally responsible and financially rewarding. By implementing the strategies in this guide, a typical household can save:

First year (free/low-cost measures):

• Reduced consumption: 10-20%
• Annual savings: CHF 200-500

After major investments:

• Reduced consumption: 30-50%
• Annual savings: CHF 800-2,000

Start with the easiest, free measures like adjusting your thermostat, changing consumption habits, and eliminating standby power. These alone may save up to CHF 200-400 annually with zero investment.

Then gradually implement larger changes as budgets allow and equipment needs replacement. The cumulative effect of small and large changes can cut your energy bill in half while making your home more comfortable and sustainable.

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In the future, checkeverything.ch will feature an interactive energy calculator to help you identify your biggest savings opportunities and compare provider tariffs. Stay tuned!

Important Legal Disclaimer

This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional energy consulting or financial advice.

All information, cost estimates, and savings projections mentioned are general examples based on typical Swiss households as of December 2024 and may not reflect your specific situation. Actual energy costs, consumption, and savings vary significantly based on canton, provider, building characteristics, heating system, household size, usage patterns, weather conditions, and energy prices.

No typically provides: Energy prices, subsidy programs, regulations, and technology change frequently. Estimated savings are approximations and not typically. Past price trends do not predict future costs. Equipment payback periods depend on numerous variable factors including energy price changes, equipment longevity, and usage patterns.

Safety and compliance: Energy system modifications, especially heating, electrical, and gas systems, may require professional installation and cantonal approval. DIY modifications to energy systems can create safety hazards and violate regulations. Always consult qualified professionals for significant energy system changes.

Professional consultation recommended: Before making major energy efficiency investments, consult with qualified energy auditors, engineers, electricians, or heating specialists who can assess your specific property and circumstances. Subsidy eligibility and application requirements vary; verify current programs with cantonal authorities before proceeding.

This article does not create any advisory or professional relationship. Reliance on this information is at your own risk. Always verify current regulations, prices, and subsidy programs with official sources and qualified professionals.