"Heat pump or infrared heating?" is one of the most common questions when replacing a heating system — and most answers online are written either by heat pump manufacturers or by infrared heating manufacturers. We're an infrared heating distributor, but we'll say it plainly anyway: for most Swiss single-family homes, a heat pump is the economically better choice as the sole primary heating system. The more interesting question is a different one — when infrared actually pays off, and whether the two systems should be combined.
The core question: whole-house heating or zone heating?
Before comparing numbers, the most important distinction is this: a heat pump is designed for continuous heating of an entire building. An infrared panel is built for targeted warmth in individual rooms or zones. Compare the two as replacements for each other in the same application, and the heat pump wins in almost every case. Compare them in their respective best-fit applications, and each is unbeatable in its own lane.
Heat pump costs in Switzerland 2026
An air-to-water heat pump — the most common type in Switzerland — typically costs CHF 30,000–45,000 including installation. Depending on the canton and program, CHF 5,000–15,000 can be deducted through the national building program and cantonal subsidies. Ongoing running costs for an average single-family home run around CHF 1,800–2,400 per year, plus roughly CHF 300 for maintenance.
| Cost item | Heat pump |
|---|---|
| Purchase & installation | CHF 30,000–45,000 |
| Subsidies | – CHF 5,000–15,000 |
| Running costs per year | CHF 1,800–2,400 |
| Maintenance per year | CHF 300 |
| Lifespan | ~18–20 years |
The heat pump's big advantage lies in its coefficient of performance (COP): thanks to ambient heat (from air, ground, or water), 1 kWh of electricity becomes 3 to 4 kWh of usable heat. That's why, for continuous whole-house heating, it's practically always cheaper to run than any purely electric heating system, infrared included.
Infrared heating costs by comparison
A SunWave Ceramica panel (650W, including WiFi thermostat) starts at CHF 550 — no pipework, no floor openings, no intervention in the building's systems. Running costs depend heavily on actual usage: as zone heating for a single room used several hours a day, electricity costs at CHF 0.28/kWh run around CHF 20–35 per month per panel during the heating season. Unlike a heat pump, only around 1 kWh of heat is produced per 1 kWh of electricity — but costs only accrue where and when you're actually heating.
Direct comparison: heat pump vs. infrared panel
| Criterion | Heat pump | Infrared panel |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase cost | CHF 30,000–45,000 | from CHF 550 / panel |
| Running cost per kWh of heat | lower (COP ≈ 3–4) | higher (COP ≈ 1) |
| Installation effort | intervenes in building systems | plug into a socket, no construction |
| Warm-up time | several hours (slow system) | a few minutes |
| Fit for a whole, continuously used house | ideal | usually not economically optimal |
| Fit for individual rooms & zone heating | oversized | ideal |
| Cooling in summer | yes, with reversible models | no |
| Subsidies available | yes, CHF 5,000–15,000 | usually a tax deduction only |
When does combining a heat pump and infrared make sense?
For many households, the answer isn't "either/or" — it's "both." A heat pump reliably and affordably covers baseline heat for the whole house. But it's slow: an extra boost of warmth in the living room or bathroom often takes hours to become noticeable. An infrared panel delivers noticeable warmth exactly where a short-term comfort boost is wanted, within minutes — without ramping up the entire heat pump system. Typical combinations: heat pump as baseline heating, an infrared panel in the bathroom for a morning comfort boost, or in a home office for targeted warmth outside regular heating hours.
Practical advantage: A single infrared panel at CHF 550 is often cheaper than reconfiguring a heat pump's control system for one room — and can be controlled independently via app without affecting the overall system.
Regulatory context: KIG and MuKEn 2025
Since January 2025, Switzerland's Climate Protection Act (KIG), together with cantonal implementations of MuKEn 2025, requires a renewable or largely renewable solution when replacing a primary heating system. A heat pump meets this requirement with no further conditions. Infrared heating is only permitted as a sole primary heating system under the solar exception — the solar PV system must generate at least as much electricity as the heating consumes annually, plus a 10% buffer. As a supplementary or zone heating system alongside an already-compliant primary system like a heat pump, these restrictions don't apply. More in our article MuKEn 2025: What Switzerland's New Cantonal Energy Regulations Mean for Your Heating.
Bottom line
For most Swiss households heating an entire house continuously, a heat pump is the economically better primary heating system — we'll say that plainly even as an infrared heating provider. Where infrared shines is targeted, fast supplementary warmth in individual rooms — either as the sole solution for small, well-insulated apartments and holiday properties, or as a complement to an existing heat pump. The right answer depends on your building and your usage, not a blanket rule.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a heat pump cost in Switzerland?
An air-to-water heat pump including installation typically costs CHF 30,000–45,000 in Switzerland, minus subsidies of CHF 5,000–15,000 depending on the canton. Running costs are around CHF 1,800–2,400 per year for an average single-family home, plus roughly CHF 300 for maintenance.
Is infrared heating cheaper than a heat pump?
To buy: yes, significantly — from CHF 550 per panel versus CHF 30,000+ for a heat pump. To run per kilowatt-hour of heat: no — a heat pump delivers 3 to 4 kWh of heat from 1 kWh of electricity, an infrared panel only around 1 kWh. For heating an entire house around the clock, the heat pump is cheaper. For individual, targeted rooms, infrared can still work out cheaper overall, because total energy use is far lower.
Can you combine a heat pump and infrared heating?
Yes, and for many households that's the most economically sensible setup: the heat pump covers baseline heat for the whole house, while individual infrared panels in higher-comfort rooms (bathroom, home office, living room) provide fast, targeted extra warmth — without having to ramp up the whole heat pump system for short comfort spikes.
Which system is easier to install under Switzerland's Climate Protection Act (KIG)?
A heat pump is KIG- and MuKEn 2025-compliant as a primary heating system with no further conditions. Infrared heating is only permitted as a sole primary heating system under the solar exception (solar PV covering at least the heating's annual consumption plus a 10% buffer). As a supplementary or zone heating system alongside an already-compliant primary system — such as a heat pump — infrared isn't subject to these restrictions.
The Perfect Complement to Your Heat Pump
Fast, targeted extra warmth for bathrooms, home offices, or living rooms — independently tested by TU Dresden, Fraunhofer WKI and Labor S.A. From CHF 550 including WiFi thermostat, 5-year warranty.
Explore the SunWave Ceramica Panel →