The CECB, or cantonal energy performance certificate for buildings, is the energy label for your house or block of flats. It rates the building from A (the best) to G and generally costs between 450 and 650 CHF for a detached house. It is compulsory when selling a property in the cantons of Vaud, Fribourg and Neuchâtel, and is often required to obtain grants.
What is the CECB?
It is a four-page document, drawn up by a certified expert, which analyses a building’s energy consumption and suggests ways to improve it. The same criteria apply throughout Switzerland. It assesses three elements, each on a scale from A to G:
- the building envelope: insulation, windows, thermal bridges, building shape;
- overall efficiency: heating and electricity requirements, technical installations, energy sources used;
- direct CO₂ emissions from heating and hot water.
A new build must achieve at least class B.
CECB or CECB Plus?
| CECB | CECB Plus | |
|---|---|---|
| Contents | Energy label and suggestions for improvement | Energy label, plus a comprehensive advisory report: renovation options, stages, costs, savings and potential grants |
| Price for a detached house | approx. 450 to 650 CHF | approx. 1,400 to 2,100 CHF |
| Price for a block of flats | approx. 500 to 800 CHF | depending on size and complexity |
| Validity | 10 years | 10 years |
| Who is it for | Sale of a property, initial valuation | Before major renovation work |
Source: PostFinance. Prices vary depending on the valuer: ask for several quotes.
If you’re planning renovation work, opt for the CECB Plus straight away: it provides you with a costed renovation plan, and many cantons will reimburse part of the cost.
When is the CECB compulsory?
- Sale of a property: compulsory in the cantons of Vaud, Fribourg and Neuchâtel. In the canton of Vaud, it must be handed over to the buyer no later than when the sale is signed; only the owner can order it (Vaud).
- Replacement of a heating system: in the canton of Vaud, it is required when replacing a heating system with a new oil, gas or coal-fired installation.
- Grants: a CECB Plus is required for grants under the Buildings Programme exceeding CHF 10,000. For buildings constructed before 2000, certain grants also require the building envelope to meet a minimum energy efficiency class.
The CECB does not oblige you to carry out any work. There are exceptions, for example in the case of gifts and inheritances.
The CECB Plus is subsidised
Many cantons reimburse part of the cost of the CECB Plus, often around CHF 1,000 for a detached house and CHF 1,500 for a block of flats. Examples:
| Canton | Subsidy for a CECB Plus |
|---|---|
| Vaud | Median amount of CHF 1,500 in 2023 and 2024, for buildings constructed before 2000 |
| Geneva | CHF 750, or CHF 1,500 for buildings larger than 500 m² |
Amounts are subject to change: check with your canton’s energy department before applying.
View your canton’s financial assistance schemes →
How do I obtain a CECB?
- Find a certified expert on the official CECB website.
- Request a quote for a CECB or a CECB Plus.
- Apply for the cantonal grant if you are ordering a CECB Plus, before having it carried out.
- Gather the necessary documents: plans, energy bills, year of construction, and details of any work already carried out.
- The expert will visit the property.
- Receive the certificate and, for the CECB Plus, the advisory report setting out renovation options.
