Grants · German-speaking Switzerland

Grants from the canton of Appenzell Ausserrhoden: amounts and application procedures (2026)

Heat pumps, insulation, solar energy, CECB Plus: financial assistance from the canton of Appenzell Ausserrhoden, financial assistance from municipalities and a calculator to estimate your grant.

Last updated on 3 November 2026 · Reading time: 2 mins · By the RenovSwiss team

Illustration of a house with a heat pump, in the canton of Appenzell Ausserrhoden

The canton of Appenzell Outer Rhodes supports the replacement of fossil fuel and electric heating systems, the insulation of buildings and other energy-saving measures through the Buildings Programme. Example: a 10 kW air-to-water heat pump in a house receives CHF 4,850 from the canton. The application must always be made before work begins.

Source of figures : New programme planned for 2027.

In brief

  1. The canton provides the bulk of the funding; many municipalities contribute additional funding.
  2. Submit your application before the work begins, via your canton’s ‘Programme Bâtiments’ platform.
  3. Energy-saving works are also tax-deductible.

Estimate your grant in 1 minute

Estimate of financial assistance from the canton4'850 CHF
  • Air-to-water heat pump 4'850 CHF

Estimate based on the scale shown on this page. Maximum power taken into account: 50 W per m² of heated floor area. Local authority grants are often available in addition. The exact amount is confirmed by the canton.

What the canton of Appenzell Outer Rhodes pays

Building work Cantonal assistance Main conditions
Air-to-water heat pump CHF 4,850 up to 12.5 kW, then CHF 4,100 + CHF 60 per kW From 2027
Ground-source heat pump CHF 10,000 up to 12.5 kW, then CHF 7,750 + CHF 180 per kW From 2027
Connection to a district heating scheme CHF 6,750 up to 12.5 kW From 2027
Wood-fired heating (logs) CHF 5,500 From 2027
Insulation (roof, walls, floor) CHF 50 per m², at least 60 m² Building completed before 2000
Solar panel bonus with insulation +40 to +100 CHF per m² Depending on the angle
Full building envelope bonus + 30 CHF per m² At least 90 per cent of the façade and roof
Solar thermal 3,000 CHF + 500 CHF per kW Up to 70 kW

Source: Canton of Appenzell Outer Rhodes — Energy Programme (decision of June 2026).

Grant from the canton of Appenzell Outer Rhodes for a 10 kW heat pump
Subsidy from the Canton of Appenzell Outer Rhodes for a 10 kW heat pump

Good to know:

  • These amounts are those of the new programme approved by the government in June 2026, which will apply from 1 January 2027 at the earliest. For an application in 2026, please check the current scale with the canton.

Municipality grants

Herisau and other municipalities may offer additional support. To find out what support is available in your local area, search using your postcode on francsenergie.ch (energiefranken.ch in German).

A simple example

A 200 m² house heated by oil carries out the following work:

  • 10 kW air-to-water heat pump: CHF 4,850;
  • insulation of 120 m² of façade and roof: approximately CHF 6,000 (at the basic rate);

Estimated total: around CHF 10,850 in cantonal grants, plus any grants from the municipality and tax relief.

Steps to follow in order

  1. Obtain a CECB Plus (GEAK Plus in German-speaking Switzerland) if you are planning several improvements: this will set out the order in which the work should be carried out.
  2. Request quotes from local tradespeople.
  3. Submit your application via the canton’s Building Programme platform and to your municipality before work begins.
  4. Wait for confirmation before starting.
  5. Carry out the work within the timeframe specified in the grant approval letter.
  6. Send the supporting documents (invoices, photos, certificates) to receive the grant.
The 6 steps to obtaining a grant
The 6 steps to obtaining a grant

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the amounts change in 2027?

The cantons generally publish their new fee scales at the end of the year. This page will be updated as soon as they are published.

Can I claim both cantonal and municipal assistance?

Often yes, but each grant scheme has its own conditions, and some municipalities deduct the cantonal grant. Check both before signing.

What about solar panels?

Photovoltaics are primarily supported by the Confederation, through Pronovo’s one-off feed-in tariff, which is claimed after the system is commissioned. Some cantons and municipalities offer an additional bonus.

What happens if I start the work too early?

Generally speaking, the help section is not very useful. Always wait for written confirmation before making a purchase or starting work.

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Last updated on 3 November 2026