493 m
Altitude
11.1 °C
Mean temperature
53
Frost days
1'199 kWh/kWc
Estimated solar yield
Local housing stock
In Lausanne, the federal building register lists 9'079 residential buildings and 82'705 dwellings. These municipal benchmarks help put your home in context, but do not replace an individual assessment.
Age of residential buildings
76 % built before 1980
- Before 191923 %
- 1919–194522 %
- 1946–196017 %
- 1961–19709 %
- 1971–19805 %
- 1981–19906 %
- 1991–20004 %
- 2001–20106 %
- Since 20118 %
Construction year does not reveal past renovations: check the current insulation condition.
Main heating energy
43 % · Gas
- Gas43 %
- Heating oil32 %
- District heating19 %
- Heat pump3 %
- Electricity2 %
- Wood2 %
This distribution describes recorded buildings, not your system's consumption or efficiency.
Heating and hot water: which energies?
| Energy | Heating | Hot water |
|---|---|---|
| Gas | 43 % | 35.6 % |
| Heating oil | 32 % | 29.7 % |
| District heating | 19 % | 18.3 % |
| Heat pump | 3 % | 2.3 % |
| Electricity | 2 % | 4.4 % |
| Wood | 2 % | 1.3 % |
| Solar thermal | 0 % | 4.7 % |
Each line gives the share of buildings using that energy, separately for heating and for hot water. The two columns do not always reach 100%: some buildings combine two systems, or reported none.
Type of heating system
- Boiler (unspecified)53.6 %
- Heat exchanger (district)18.6 %
- Condensing boiler10.9 %
- Standard boiler7.8 %
- Heat pump6.9 %
- Central electric heating1.2 %
- Stove0.6 %
A standard non-condensing boiler is usually older and less efficient.
Houses or apartment buildings?
- Single-family houses25.6 %
- Two-dwelling houses6.1 %
- Apartment buildings (3+)64.1 %
- Other4.1 %
24.7 % of buildings mix housing with shops or offices.
The typical building
- storeys (median)
- 4
- median footprint
- 208 m²
- median dwelling area
- 67 m²
Dwellings by number of rooms
Dwellings per building
- 1 dwelling28.8 %
- 2 to 416.2 %
- 5 to 916.9 %
- 10 to 1926.6 %
- 20 or more11.4 %
Renovations, heritage and volumes
For your renovation projects in Lausanne, RegBL data provides essential insights. With 867 buildings under heritage protection out of 1951 identified, verifying your property's status and contacting the municipality early for permit requirements is vital. Additionally, the median house volume for the 2328 buildings is 850 m3, calculated using the SIA 416 standard. These volumetric figures, based on a measured sample of 350 units, are crucial for scaling your upcoming insulation or heating system upgrades. Please note that data coverage is partial for these indicators, so careful planning remains necessary for your specific renovation goals.
Source : Registre fédéral des bâtiments et des logements (RegBL), OFS, 2026. Existing residential buildings; percentages of recorded values.
The Lausanne context: Climate and building stock
1 °C.8 °C, places strict demands on insulation to maintain thermal comfort. With 2,914 heating degree days per year, the building envelope is a major lever for reducing energy needs.
The Lausanne housing stock, composed of approximately 24% single-family homes, presents great architectural diversity.
The city, committed since 1996 as an Energy City and holder of the Gold label, integrates strict criteria into its Climate Plan to reach carbon neutrality by 2050.
Every renovation project must therefore anticipate these local climate challenges, aiming for energy optimization consistent with the city's ambitions.
Energy renovation priorities
The absolute priority for any homeowner in Lausanne is to improve the building's thermal envelope. Facade insulation and the replacement of aging windows are the most effective interventions to limit heat loss.
These works not only sustainably reduce the energy bill but also add long-term value to the property.
In addition to insulation, investing in renewable systems is strongly encouraged. The Vaud Building Program offers subsidies for facade insulation and window replacement if these measures are part of an overall renovation approach.
Rigorous planning, starting with the envelope before installing a high-performance heating system, is the best way to maximize overall energy efficiency and benefit from available financial aid.
Heating, district heating, and regulations
This guide does not establish a permit exemption. If your building or area is protected, check the constraints specific to your project.
Permits and heritage preservation
This flexibility facilitates energy renovation.
However, increased vigilance is necessary if your building is protected or located in a protected area, as foreseen by the Architectural Census of the Canton of Vaud.
In such cases, work modifying the exterior appearance, dimensions, or usage of the building requires a standard building permit procedure from the municipality.
It is strongly advised to consult municipal services before any commitment to check if your building is listed. This respect for built heritage ensures the preservation of the Lausanne identity while allowing for necessary contemporary energy adaptations.
Financial aid and taxation
Additionally, the Services industriels de Lausanne (SiL) offer specific aid, including a municipal flat rate of 4,000 CHF for solar thermal installations on existing buildings, which can be combined with cantonal aid.
Regarding taxation, the owner can deduct maintenance and energy investment costs from their taxable income. Investments aimed at energy saving are 100% deductible. If costs exceed net income, the balance can be carried forward to the two following tax periods.
You have the choice between deducting effective costs or a flat-rate deduction (often 20% or 30% depending on the building's age). Note that if you receive public subsidies, only the portion you personally finance is tax-deductible.
Planning and choosing contractors
Successful renovation in Lausanne requires rigorous planning. The first step is to establish a precise status report of your building.
For large projects, hiring a professional for an energy audit or Project Management Assistance (AMO) is crucial, especially since the City of Lausanne subsidizes these mandates by 50% (up to 10,000 CHF).
When choosing contractors, prioritize local providers competent in Vaud-specific requirements, especially regarding energy renovation and heritage preservation. Ensure you obtain several detailed quotes for a fair comparison.
A good company should be able to advise you on technical solutions adapted to your structure, while integrating constraints linked to permits and current standards.
Clear communication, checking references, and meeting deadlines are the pillars of a project without unpleasant surprises.
Local data in detail
Heating and energy
A well-oriented solar PV system yields roughly 1'199 kWh per kWp per year here.[8]
Permits and heritage
Tax and renovation
The municipal tax coefficient of Lausanne is 78.5%.[9]
Water quality
Rules of the canton of Vaud
These rules apply across the whole canton, not only in Lausanne.
Choose your works in Lausanne
- Kitchen renovation cost in Lausanne
- Bathroom renovation cost in Lausanne
- New flooring cost in Lausanne
- Interior painting cost in Lausanne
- Window replacement cost in Lausanne
- Roof renovation cost in Lausanne
- Facade insulation cost in Lausanne
- Heat pump installation cost in Lausanne
- Solar panels cost in Lausanne
- Home solar battery cost in Lausanne
- Solar water heating cost in Lausanne
- Terrace construction cost in Lausanne
- Fence installation cost in Lausanne
- Stairwell renovation cost in Lausanne
- Elevator installation or upgrade cost in Lausanne
Climate data for Lausanne
- Altitude
- 493 m[10]
- Heating degree days
- 2'914 Kj/an (20/12 °C)[11]
- Frost days
- 53 jours/an[12]
- Solar irradiation
- 1'363 kWh/m²/an (horizontal)[13]
- Winter design temperature
- -4.8 °C (1er percentile des minimales)[14]
- Mean temperature
- 11.1 °C[15]
- Estimated solar yield
- 1'199 kWh/kWc/an (toit ~30° sud, PR 0.8, estimation)[8]
Nearby municipalities : Nyon · Vevey · Yverdon-les-Bains · Montreux · Renens · Morges · Pully · Écublens
Frequently asked questions
What aid can I get for installing solar panels?
You can benefit from the federal one-off remuneration via Pronovo, calculated according to the power of your installation, as well as cantonal Vaud aid.
Is connection to district heating mandatory?
Lausanne's Territorial Energy Planning prioritizes connection when possible and eligible, according to conditions defined by the SiL.
Do I need a permit to replace my windows?
Generally subject to a simplified procedure or exemption, unless the building is protected, in which case a standard permit is required.
Can I deduct my energy investments from taxes?
Yes, investments aimed at saving energy are 100% deductible from your taxable income.
Is there specific aid for an energy audit?
The City of Lausanne subsidizes 50% of an Energy Project Management Assistance (AMOén) mandate up to 10,000 CHF.
How do I know if my building is protected?
Consult the Architectural Census of the Canton of Vaud and contact the relevant municipal services.
Sources
- [1] Chauffage à distance – Ville de Lausanne
- [2] lausanne.ch
- [3] Protection du patrimoine : cadre légal et réglementaire – Ville de Lausanne · estimate
- [4] Qualité de l'eau chez vous – Ville de Lausanne
- [5] 09 – Construction, logement – Ville de Lausanne
- [6] Règlement sur la déduction des frais relatifs aux immeubles privés (RDFIP)
- [7] État de Vaud — Permis de construire (LATC / RLATC)
- [8] Open-Meteo Historical Weather API (réanalyse ERA5, moyenne 2015-2024) · estimate
- [9] Coefficient, taux et arrêté d’imposition – Ville de Lausanne
- [10] swisstopo – service d'altitude (MNT)
- [11] Open-Meteo Historical Weather API (réanalyse ERA5, moyenne 2015-2024)
- [12] Open-Meteo Historical Weather API (réanalyse ERA5, moyenne 2015-2024)
- [13] Open-Meteo Historical Weather API (réanalyse ERA5, moyenne 2015-2024)
- [14] Open-Meteo Historical Weather API (réanalyse ERA5, moyenne 2015-2024)
- [15] Open-Meteo Historical Weather API (réanalyse ERA5, moyenne 2015-2024)