High Energy Performance in Swiss real estate: the guide to understanding it all
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Switzerland aims for carbon neutrality by 2050 and has launched an ambitious energy transition plan, including measures for the building sector. This sector emitted 9.4 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2022, representing almost a quarter (22.6%) of the country’s total emissions.
To support this transition, new constructions – as well as renovations – must comply with energy consumption requirements: the legal standards known as High Energy Performance (HPE) and Very High Energy Performance (THPE).
High Energy Performance (HPE/THPE): what does it mean?
HPE and THPE are two legal certifications used in the Swiss real estate sector, granted by the Cantonal Energy Office to buildings that stand out for their energy performance, either in the context of new construction or renovation.
Two legal standards for construction and renovation
HPE and THPE labels certify buildings with low energy consumption. Obtaining them helps ensure that a construction or renovation meets Swiss energy standards. They are an integral part of Swiss regulations, meaning that obtaining them is mandatory for a construction or renovation project to comply with the law.
The goal is to reduce energy use below the average for similar buildings and limit environmental impact. This is achieved through high-efficiency technologies for heating, lighting, and cooling. Such performance levels are achieved by relying on technologies that deliver high energy efficiency (see below).
HPE vs THPE
HPE and THPE share the same goal but have different requirements, with THPE demanding stricter energy reductions and additional sustainability measures. In essence, the THPE standard demands even higher performance than HPE (20% lower energy consumption compared to the legal reference, versus 10% for HPE), with additional criteria regarding the materials used and energy recovery systems. A THPE building can generate more energy than it uses, making it ‘energy positive’.
Technologies and innovations behind HPE
In the context of High Energy Performance (HPE/THPE), several technologies and innovations are applied:
- Advanced thermal insulation techniques, using high-performance materials such as cellulose, rock wool and polyurethane. Buildings are designed with strict airtightness standards, reducing the need for heating and cooling.
- Energy monitoring and management systems, incorporating automated technologies that optimise the use of heating, lighting and household appliances.
- Renewable energy systems, such as photovoltaic panels (mandatory on new constructions since 2022 in certain cantons) and solar thermal panels (for hot water production), as well as aerothermal or geothermal heat pumps.
Some construction projects demonstrate HPE/THPE standards in action and show Switzerland’s focus on sustainable building practices. Examples include the new sustainable secondary school in Meyrin (Geneva canton), designed with the highest energy performance features, and the Les Auréa residential complex of seven buildings in Geneva, equipped with a centralised heat pump system.
How to obtain HPE or THPE certification?
Obtaining High Energy Performance (HPE/THPE) certification requires compliance with more or less stringent requirements depending on the desired label, both in terms of energy efficiency and environmental impact.
The HPE/THPE certification process
The certification process takes place in several stages:
- Initial assessment of the project’s energy needs, leading to the issuance of a Cantonal Energy Performance Certificate (CECB).
- Filing the application with the competent cantonal authorities. If necessary, a provisional certificate may be obtained during the building’s design phase.
- Carrying out the works in line with the requirements defined in the HPE/THPE framework. These may vary depending on the canton. For example, see Articles 12B and 12C of the implementing regulation of the Energy Act in the canton of Geneva.
- Final inspection and validation once the works are completed, through an official inspection carried out by an accredited expert. A HPE or THPE certificate is issued if the building meets the criteria.
The role of labels
Labels play a decisive role in High Energy Performance (HPE/THPE) certification. For example, the Minergie label, the oldest and best-known in Switzerland, certifies compliance with the requirements of HPE (Minergie) or THPE (Minergie-P). These requirements are themselves based on criteria established in advance by the label. This means that a building certified Minergie automatically meets the minimum energy standards set by Swiss law.
Other recognised labels also exist, such as CECB and SNBS (Swiss Sustainable Building Standard).
Why invest in an HPE property?
Investing in a building certified High Energy Performance (HPE/THPE) offers three main advantages: higher added value, tax incentives, and financial support.
Properties with higher market value
Because HPE/THPE-certified homes are designed to reduce energy consumption, they represent a secure investment for buyers thanks to the savings generated. Energy efficiency is increasingly important in property valuations. As a result, the market value of HPE or THPE-certified properties is expected to rise over time, leading to a significant capital gain at resale.
Tax incentives
Acquiring a High Energy Performance (HPE/THPE) building may offer tax benefits, such as partial or total exemptions from the supplementary property tax. However, these incentives vary by canton and are not systematically applicable to all HPE/THPE constructions. While these advantages can represent substantial savings, it is important to verify the specific conditions in your canton.
Financial support for construction and renovation
Many support schemes have been introduced by the Swiss federal government and cantons to promote construction and renovation projects aimed at improving a building’s energy efficiency. At the national level, this includes the Buildings Programme. At the cantonal level, for example, the canton of Geneva has doubled its subsidy scale, offering financial aid for thermal insulation and the installation of renewable energy systems.
A pillar of Swiss real estate
High Energy Performance (HPE/THPE) certification is a cornerstone of the Swiss real estate sector, part of the national strategy to fight climate change through a drastic reduction in CO2 emissions. This is why the 2022 Energy Act integrated these standards into the regulatory framework for construction and renovation. And given Switzerland’s ambitious targets – 60% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, and carbon neutrality by 2050 – there is no doubt that these standards will become even more stringent in the coming years.
Frequently asked questions about High Energy Performance (HPE/THPE)
What is High Energy Performance (HPE)?
High Energy Performance (HPE) is a Swiss legal standard that certifies buildings with reduced energy consumption compared to the average. It applies to both new constructions and renovations, ensuring better energy efficiency.
What is the difference between HPE and THPE?
Very High Energy Performance (THPE) goes further than HPE:
An HPE building must reduce its consumption by at least 10% compared to the legal reference.
A THPE building must achieve a reduction of at least 20% and integrate more advanced energy solutions (energy recovery, ecological materials, renewable energy production).
In practice, a THPE building can even produce more energy than it consumes.
How can you obtain HPE or THPE certification?
The process takes place in several stages:
Energy assessment of the project via a CECB (Cantonal Energy Performance Certificate)
Filing the application with the cantonal authorities
Carrying out the works in accordance with HPE/THPE criteria
Final inspection and certification after an accredited expert’s verification
Which labels are associated with HPE/THPE standards?
Labels play a key role:
Minergie: the best-known Swiss label, certifying HPE compliance
Minergie-P: the reinforced version, equivalent to the THPE standard
Other labels: CECB and SNBS (Swiss Sustainable Building Standard)
What are the advantages of an HPE/THPE-certified property?
Higher property valuation, as energy criteria weigh more heavily in appraisals
Significant energy savings in daily use
Tax incentives, such as partial exemptions depending on the canton
Financial support at federal and cantonal level (Buildings Programme, subsidies for insulation and renewable energy)
Is HPE/THPE compliance mandatory for all buildings?
Yes, energy compliance is mandatory for new constructions and certain major renovations. However, the performance level required (HPE or THPE) varies depending on cantonal legislation.
Why is HPE strategic for the future of Swiss real estate?
Because it is part of the national goal of carbon neutrality by 2050. With the building sector representing almost a quarter of Switzerland’s CO₂ emissions, these standards are expected to become increasingly strict in the coming years.
