Swiss Federal Office of Energy
2021 – 2023
Overview of renovation potential in the pilot municipalities
Models for cooperation between property owners and experts
Guidelines for higher renovation rates at municipal level
Each year, only around 1% of buildings in Switzerland are renovated. To achieve the climate targets, this rate must double. Commissioned by the Swiss Federal Office of Energy, Intep is examining how Swiss municipalities can increase the renovation rate by bringing together experts and property owners in a targeted manner.
Around 40% of Switzerland’s energy consumption is used for buildings; the sector is responsible for around a third of country’s CO2 emissions. The energy consumption of existing buildings could be reduced by around 70% through energy-efficient renovation. However, despite support programs and tax incentives, this potential is not being exploited.
The reasons include inadequate financing models and legal bases. But so-called soft factors could also be decisive. Renovations often fails due to a lack of communication and knowledge – property owners may be unaware of the benefits and procedures of renovation, while experts might not fully understand the needs of the owners or the technical and architectural solutions available.
The SAN-CH project of the Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE) aims to change this and increase the renovation rate at the municipal level. Intep and the engineering firm Weinmann Energies are jointly conducting the project.
The goal is to bring property owners together with specialized companies such as construction companies and architectural offices in order to align their respective needs and knowledge and initiate renovation projects. The municipalities of Baden, Winterthur, Glarus and Geneva serve as catalysts and pilot regions.
Intep analyzed the data on renovation potential in the municipalities and created a list of the properties most in need of renovation. Intep also identified success factors and obstacles in the collaboration between experts and property owners. Based on this, models were developed, such as for cooperation of stakeholders and for participatory acceptance promotion and decision-making processes. These models were tested in the municipalities – including as speed dating in Baden. On this basis, the intep team developed a guideline.
The SAN-CH project contributes to a higher renovation rate and thus to the achievement of climate goals through participation and communication.
We look forward to receiving your detailed application documents with a letter of motivation to bewerbung@intep.com or simply via this form:
