Vaud energy law: what owners need to anticipate

An energy certificate for buildings dating from before 1986

Owners of buildings constructed before 1 January 1986 must have a CECB drawn up at their own expense by 31 December 2031. A recognised label such as Minergie exempts them. In the event of a sale, the CECB or label must be given to the buyer no later than the signing of the transfer deed.

Renovation of energy-intensive buildings

The buildings concerned are those whose envelope is in class F or G and whose energy reference area is at least 750 m². The target is CECB class D. Class G buildings must be renovated by 31 December 2036 at the latest, class F buildings by 31 December 2041 at the latest.

The end of fossil and electric heating

• A fossil heating system (oil, gas) installed before 2020 must be replaced by 31 December 2041 at the latest; one installed after 2020, by 31 December 2046 at the latest.
• If the installation reaches the end of its life before these deadlines, it must be replaced by a renewable solution.
• New electric heating systems are prohibited; for existing ones, a specific decree sets the solutions and deadlines, with a general deadline in 2033.

Exemptions are possible for technical, heritage or financial reasons. Until 1 July 2027, certain rules of the current law remain applicable.

What this changes for your project

These deadlines turn every renovation into a trade-off: what to do now, what to postpone, and in what order? An investment plan costed by CFC and drawn up early makes it possible to group the works, to secure subsidies and to avoid forgoing a grant because the site started too soon.

Please note: the deadlines above summarise the canton’s official page as at the date indicated. Always check the text currently in force before deciding.