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GEAK – cantonal energy certificate for buildings

01.11.2023

Want to find out whether your house is using unnecessary energy for heating and how you can improve its energy efficiency? A cantonal energy certificate for buildings (GEAK) provides answers to these and other key questions. For example, whether and how much government support you’d get for energy-saving renovations.

What is a GEAK?

The cantonal energy certificate for buildings (GEAK) is a four-page document that outlines and evaluates a building’s current condition in terms of energy efficiency. It contains details on the building’s energy consumption and general proposals on optimizing energy performance. The same criteria and calculation methods apply throughout Switzerland, enabling optimal comparison of the certified buildings. The document can also be used as a basis for planning energy-saving renovations and – along with the Minergie label – is one of the key building standards for cutting CO2 emissions from buildings. It can be issued only by certified GEAK experts (energy advisors).

Three influential factors

The key questions in an evaluation are how much energy does the building need for standard use and where does this energy come from? More specifically, three elements of the building, which are all closely related, are evaluated:

Efficiency of the building envelope

The following aspects are evaluated for this factor:

  • Heat insulation of walls, roof, flooring and windows
  • Any thermal bridges, such as balconies
  • Building design

The efficiency of the building envelope is the key factor in evaluating a building’s heat requirements.

Overall energy efficiency

The following factors are assessed:

  • Heating requirements
  • Electricity requirements
  • Building technology
  • Type of energy sources used (any self-generated power)

The more sustainable the energy sources used, the better the evaluation score for this element and also for the third evaluation element: CO2 emissions.

Direct CO2 emissions

The effective direct CO2 emissions for heating and hot water supply are calculated for this evaluation. This depends on how many renewable energies or fossil-based fuels are used.

Seven-level evaluation scale

The result of this third evaluation is determined using a scale with seven categories, which is called the energy label (see image). It’s a bit like the scale used for rating household devices: A is the best score, while G is the worst. As a guideline: a new building in Switzerland must meet the criteria equating to category B.

The figure shows the scale for evaluating buildings in seven levels A to G in the three categories “Efficiency of building envelope”, “Overall efficiency” and “Direct CO₂ emissions”.
Source: geak.ch

What do the ratings A to G mean exactly? Here’s an overview:

Efficiency classesBuilding envelope efficiencyOverall efficiencyDirect CO2 emissions
Efficiency classes
A
 Building envelope efficiency
Outstanding insulation, windows with triple-glazed thermal insulation
 Overall efficiency
Highly efficient building technology, efficient lighting/devices, use of renewable energy, self-generated power
 Direct CO2 emissions
No emissions
Efficiency classes
B
 Building envelope efficiency
Very good insulation (legal standard for new buildings)
 Overall efficiency
Efficient building technology (legal standard for new buildings), use of renewable energy
 Direct CO2 emissions
Very low emissions (e. g. only during peak load coverage)
Efficiency classes
C
 Building envelope efficiency
Extensively renovated old building
 Overall efficiency
Extensively renovated old building, predominant use of renewable energy
 Direct CO2 emissions
Low emissions (e. g. fossil-based heating, but very good insulation)
Efficiency classes
D
 Building envelope efficiency
Old building with good insulation, remaining thermal bridges
 Overall efficiency
Extensively renovated old building, no or only partial use of renewable energy
 Direct CO2 emissions
Significant emissions (e. g. fossil-based energy, deficient envelope)
Efficiency classes
E
 Building envelope efficiency
Old building with subsequently improved insulation, new thermal insulation glazing
 Overall efficiency
Partially renovated old building (e. g. new heat generation), possible new devices/lighting
 Direct CO2 emissions
High to very high emissions (e. g. fossil-based heating, very deficient envelope)
Efficiency classes
F
 Building envelope efficiency
Partially insulted building
 Overall efficiency
Building with individual new components (e. g. building technology, lighting)
 Direct CO2 emissions
High to very high emissions (e. g. fossil-based heating, very deficient envelope)
Efficiency classes
G
 Building envelope efficiency
Old building without or with deficient insulation, significant improvement potential
 Overall efficiency
Old building with outdated building technology, fossil-based energy, significant improvement potential
 Direct CO2 emissions
High to very high emissions (e. g. fossil-based heating system, very deficient envelope)

Source: geak.ch

GEAK Plus with an advisory report

As well as the “normal” certificate, there’s also GEAK Plus. In addition to the evaluation, it contains a detailed advisory report with specific proposals on energy-saving renovations:

  • A list of building-specific measures for optimizing energy efficiency
  • Several implementation variants – from the minimal set of measures required to extensive modernization in line with the Minergie standard
  • Suitable stages for renovation work
  • Estimate of investment costs and future maintenance costs
  • Estimate of future savings on operating costs
  • Calculation of any government subsidies
  • Advice on selecting and implementing measures

In some cantons, GEAK Plus is required to be eligible for subsidies.

How much does a GEAK cost?

A standard evaluation costs around 450 to 650 francs for a single-occupancy residential unit and between 500 and 800 francs for an apartment building. GEAK Plus costs around 1,400 to 2,100 francs for a single-occupancy residential unit. The price for a single-occupancy residential unit depends entirely on the size and complexity of the property. There is no fixed pricing. The experts produce their proposal specifically for a particular property. It’s advisable to get several proposals and to compare them.

Subsidies for GEAK Plus

Most cantons cover part of the costs of a GEAK Plus. This may be subject to one of the optimization variants suggested by the report actually being implemented. Here’s an overview of subsidies for GEAK Plus:

CantonSubsidy for single-occupancy residential unitSubsidy for apartment building and other building categories 
Canton
Aargau
 Subsidy for single-occupancy residential unit
CHF 1,000
 Subsidy for apartment building and other building categories
CHF 1,500
Canton
Basel-Landschaft
 Subsidy for single-occupancy residential unit
CHF 1,000
 Subsidy for apartment building and other building categories
CHF 1,500
Canton
Basel-Stadt
 Subsidy for single-occupancy residential unit
CHF 1,000
 Subsidy for apartment building and other building categories
CHF 1,500
Canton
Bern
 Subsidy for single-occupancy residential unit
CHF 1,000
 Subsidy for apartment building and other building categories
CHF 1,500
Canton
Fribourg
 Subsidy for single-occupancy residential unit
CHF 1,000
 Subsidy for apartment building and other building categories
CHF 1,500
Canton
Geneva
 Subsidy for single-occupancy residential unit
CHF 750
 Subsidy for apartment building and other building categories
CHF 1,500
Canton
Glarus
 Subsidy for single-occupancy residential unit
CHF 50 up to 155/m2 energy reference area (ERA)
 Subsidy for apartment building and other building categories
CHF 50 up to 155/m2 energy reference area (ERA)
Canton
Lucerne
 Subsidy for single-occupancy residential unit
CHF 800
 Subsidy for apartment building and other building categories
CHF 1,100
Canton
Nidwalden
 Subsidy for single-occupancy residential unit
CHF 1,500 
 Subsidy for apartment building and other building categories
CHF 1,500 
Canton
Obwalden
 Subsidy for single-occupancy residential unit
CHF 1,000
 Subsidy for apartment building and other building categories
CHF 1,500
Canton
Schaffhausen
 Subsidy for single-occupancy residential unit
50% (max. CHF 1,000)
 Subsidy for apartment building and other building categories
50% (max. CHF 2,000)
Canton
Schwyz
 Subsidy for single-occupancy residential unit
CHF 1,000
 Subsidy for apartment building and other building categories
CHF 1,500
Canton
Solothurn
 Subsidy for single-occupancy residential unit
50% (max. CHF 1,100)
 Subsidy for apartment building and other building categories
50% (max. CHF 1,800)
Canton
Ticino
 Subsidy for single-occupancy residential unit
CHF 500 for GEAK Plus
CHF 200 for GEAK
 Subsidy for apartment building and other building categories
CHF 500 for GEAK Plus
CHF 200 for GEAK
Canton
Thurgau
 Subsidy for single-occupancy residential unit
CHF 1,000 
 Subsidy for apartment building and other building categories
CHF 2,000 
Canton
Vaud
 Subsidy for single-occupancy residential unit
CHF 1,000
 Subsidy for apartment building and other building categories
CHF 1,500 
Canton
Zurich
 Subsidy for single-occupancy residential unit
CHF 1,000
 Subsidy for apartment building and other building categories
CHF 1,500
Canton
Zug
 Subsidy for single-occupancy residential unit
CHF 1,500
 Subsidy for apartment building and other building categories
CHF 1,500

Source: geak.ch (as at July 2022)

Subsidy for GEAK-based renovations

You don’t just receive a subsidy for the energy certificate for buildings, but also for the completion of the recommended measures. Following the Minergie standard, the GEAK is the second standard for sustainable, energy-efficient construction that is subsidized in Switzerland as part of the Confederation’s “Buildings programme”. There are also lots of cantonal subsidy programmes based on the energy certificate for buildings. You can find out from the relevant cantonal office whether and how much government support you will receive for your project. Always submit the application before work starts – no subsidies for renovation are granted retroactively. 

A key purchase criterion

It’s definitely advisable to consult the GEAK when buying a house. It provides information on energy performance, any renovation measures needed and the future energy requirements of the property you’d like to buy. However, you are dependent on the current owner for this – only they can arrange for an evaluation. 

Questions and answers

  • The certificate is a product of the GEAK association, which is made up of the heads of the cantonal departments of energy. It’s not a state entity, but it is recognized by the state.

  • No, it’s voluntary – with a few exceptions: a GEAK is mandatory for property transfers in the cantons of Fribourg, Neuchâtel and Vaud. It’s also mandatory to obtain subsidies in some cantons. A GEAK Plus is also required for subsidies of over CHF 10,000 from the Confederation’s “Buildings programme”. 

  • Both variants are valid for 10 years.

  • A thermal bridge (also called a cold bridge) is a point in the building envelope through which (heating) warmth can escape to the outside, whether due to poor insulation or damage. These areas cool more quickly and to a greater extent than the rest of the building envelope. This can result in air inside the building condensing in these cold spots, causing mould due to damp.

  • Like the energy certificate for buildings, Minergie is a Swiss building standard or label for new and modernized buildings. Minergie buildings meet a maximum share of their (very low) energy requirements from renewable energy sources and have a high-quality building envelope, a ventilation system and high-performance thermal insulation.

  • The evaluations and requirements for the two labels are different and cannot simply be applied to one another. However, modernization that complies with the Minergie standard is generally in line with GEAK classes B/C/A and new Minergie buildings at least classes B/B/A. However, the reversal of these classifications doesn’t necessarily apply – a B/C/A classification isn’t automatically equivalent to the Minergie standard. 

Capital for your home

Looking to raise capital for a new home or renovation project? PostFinance will help you to find a suitable financing solution to purchase your dream home. 

Find out more about financing real estate

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