Heat pump in the Canton of ThurgauBoreholes in Thurgau.

Permit: building application or notification, drilling permit for boreholes

In the Canton of Thurgau, the Grand Council anchored the notification procedure (Meldeverfahren) in the Planning and Building Act on 5 March 2025. It is meant to apply to smaller heat pumps. The ordinance with the details was in consultation until 15 May 2026. Whether your air-to-water heat pump needs a notification or a building application, we clarify with your commune before the quote. A noise protection assessment is part of it in every case.

A borehole (ground probe) needs a drilling permit from the Environment Office. The application goes through the commune. The office distinguishes three suitability zones: white, yellow and red. In white, a permit with standard conditions applies, in yellow with additional conditions, and in red drilling is generally ruled out. ThurGIS shows the zone of your plot. We check it before the quote.

Replacing your heating system: what the Energy Act requires

Anyone who replaces an oil or gas heating system and wants to heat with fossil fuel again must cover part of the heat from renewable sources or save it. Since 1 January 2025, this share is 15 percent, rising to 20 percent from 2030. Well-insulated and newer buildings are exempt. A heat pump meets the requirement in full, so standard solutions and proofs are not needed.

Subsidies in the Canton of Thurgau

The 2026 energy subsidy programme focuses on geothermal heat. Brine-to-water and water-to-water heat pumps up to 70 kW receive CHF 9,000 in a single-family or two-family home, and CHF 16,000 in an apartment building with three or more flats. Anyone who builds a solar power system at the same time receives an additional subsidy for it. The subsidy for air-to-water heat pumps up to 70 kW has been discontinued. The first-time heat distribution system continues to be subsidised when decentralised electric or fossil heating is replaced.

The application must be submitted before work starts, and starting work before the application puts the subsidy at risk. We prepare and submit it for you.

Grid operator and electricity price

The cantonal median is 29.4 ct./kWh excluding VAT, above the Swiss median of 27.7 ct. The utilities differ greatly: the cooperative EW Romanshorn is at 24.9 ct., LST Energie AG at 33.2 ct. and the unified commune of Müllheim at 35.6 ct. The grid operator decides on the tariff and connection conditions. The heat pump is registered through a technical connection application, which we handle. Some utilities have blocking times, and we clarify this for your utility.

A special feature: solar and heat pump together

In Thurgau, 17.1 percent of the roof potential is already used for photovoltaics. If you plan the heat pump together with a solar system, you benefit from the canton’s additional subsidy and cover part of your heating electricity yourself. 51.9 percent of residential buildings are still heated with fossil fuels.