Everyone living in Olten ZH will either have to freeze this winter or have to dig their pockets. Because heating costs increase by 104 percent for those living in the city. The highest climb in Switzerland.
But the rest of Switzerland is not spared either. Since the outbreak of war, the cost of oil, gas, and electricity has increased drastically in some cases. The Swiss will feel it clearly this winter. How strong varies greatly depending on the region. This is demonstrated by a recent study by Zürcher Kantonalbank ZKB.
“High gas areas are badly affected,” says Ursina Kubli, 43, senior real estate specialist at ZKB. Gas and oil saw the biggest cost increases over last winter. Households with such heaters will have to expect about 1,400 francs more this year than in 2021.
German-speaking Switzerland most affected
To calculate the additional costs for individual municipalities, the bank calculated the heating energy required for a standard family house and determined the expected cost increases using current average energy prices in Switzerland. The detached house has a floor area of 150 square meters and was built in 2005. Such a property requires approximately 120 kilowatt-hours of heating energy per square meter per year.
There are real hotspots – urban areas with well-developed gas networks are badly affected. In contrast, many rural areas do not have access to the gas grid. German-speaking Switzerland is the most affected country.
Zurich residents pay 53 percent more
In the canton of Zurich, for example, costs are rising rapidly. With current energy prices, the people of Zurich have to pay an average of 53 percent more for heating costs compared to last year. This puts the canton well above the national average of 41 percent.
However, the share of gas heating is only one of many factors. Although Basel has a very high gas share, the low increase in gas prices keeps the additional costs within limits. Heating costs there will only increase by 18.9 percent.
As with electricity, the rate at which gas prices rise depends on the purchasing behavior of the respective supplier. Network operators who buy early and thus protect against price increases can offer better prices to consumers.
Gas, electricity or oil?
According to ZKB, a gas heater in a standard family home in Schlieren ZH burns a CHF 5,300 hole in the household budget. Anyone with a heat pump goes down lightly. For example, the electrically powered alternative at Schlieren ZH will cost just CHF 1,200 this year.
Although the region is not connected to the Swiss gas network, there is also a large increase in heating costs in Engadin. “In some Engadin communities, the rate of oil heating is over 80 percent,” Kubli says. Due to the rising oil price, the effects on heating costs are enormous.
Your behavior has a big impact
Rising energy costs are hurting households especially in the lower rental segment, according to the real estate expert. Where housing costs already make up a large part of the overall budget. “These people won’t have additional money to heat elsewhere,” Kubli says.
The good news: Many tenants and landlords can have a big impact on their heating costs through their own behavior. According to ZKB, anyone who heats up to 19 degrees instead of 23 degrees can save 35 percent on heating costs. However, only tenants and landlords who bill their heating costs separately can benefit from this.