Vaud

Renovating in Morges: A practical guide for property owners

Morges, a dynamic city by Lake Geneva, requires a thoughtful approach to building renovation. This guide supports property owners through their energy-focused and heritage-related transformation projects.

375 m

Altitude

11.9 °C

Mean temperature

43

Frost days

1'206 kWh/kWc

Estimated solar yield

Local housing stock

In Morges, the federal building register lists 1'346 residential buildings and 9'499 dwellings. These municipal benchmarks help put your home in context, but do not replace an individual assessment.

70 %built before 1980
82 %heated by oil or gas
12.9 %electric hot water
7.7 %with declared solar thermal

Age of residential buildings

70 % built before 1980

  • Before 191918 %
  • 1919–194515 %
  • 1946–196019 %
  • 1961–197010 %
  • 1971–19808 %
  • 1981–199010 %
  • 1991–20006 %
  • 2001–20106 %
  • Since 20118 %

Construction year does not reveal past renovations: check the current insulation condition.

Main heating energy

55 % · Gas

  • Gas55 %
  • Heating oil27 %
  • Electricity9 %
  • Heat pump6 %
  • District heating2 %
  • Wood2 %

This distribution describes recorded buildings, not your system's consumption or efficiency.

Heating and hot water: which energies?

EnergyHeatingHot water
Gas55 %41.5 %
Heating oil27 %27.1 %
District heating2 %1.3 %
Heat pump6 %5.7 %
Electricity9 %12.9 %
Wood2 %1.3 %
Solar thermal0 %5.5 %

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)56.8 %
  • Condensing boiler13.8 %
  • Heat pump11.2 %
  • Standard boiler7.6 %
  • Central electric heating7.4 %
  • Heat exchanger (district)1.4 %
  • Direct electric heaters0.8 %
  • Stove0.7 %

A standard non-condensing boiler is usually older and less efficient.

Houses or apartment buildings?

  • Single-family houses39.2 %
  • Two-dwelling houses10.9 %
  • Apartment buildings (3+)45 %
  • Other4.9 %

19 % of buildings mix housing with shops or offices.

The typical building

storeys (median)
3
median footprint
149 m²
median dwelling area
77 m²

Dwellings by number of rooms

8.6 %1 rm
23.3 %2 rm
34.4 %3 rm
22.1 %4 rm
11.6 %5+ rm

Dwellings per building

  • 1 dwelling42.3 %
  • 2 to 424.7 %
  • 5 to 914.5 %
  • 10 to 197.7 %
  • 20 or more10.8 %

Renovations, heritage and volumes

For homeowners planning renovations in Morges, official register figures identify 24 buildings under heritage protection. It is essential to contact the municipality early to secure required permits. Regarding building volume, data is available for 86 buildings measured via the SIA 416 standard, showing a median of 934 m3, which helps determine the scale for heating and insulation upgrades. However, note that data coverage is partial, as 441 buildings do not report volume under this standard and no renovation year data exists. Always verify your specific building status with local authorities before initiating your renovation project.

24
buildings flagged as protected
status known for 78 of 1'280 buildings; check with the municipality
934 m³
median house volume (SIA 416)
measured for 86 of 527 houses

Source : Registre fédéral des bâtiments et des logements (RegBL), OFS, 2026. Existing residential buildings; percentages of recorded values.

Local context: Climate and real estate stock

9 °C and about 43 frost days per year.2 °C, heating requirements are significant, measured at 2681 Kj/year. These conditions demand a high-performance thermal envelope to ensure interior comfort while optimizing energy consumption.

The urban landscape of Morges is evolving rapidly. Between 2020 and 2022, more than 900 new homes were built, placing the city within a regional densification dynamic alongside Lausanne or Nyon.

For owners, this means that renovation often occurs within a dense urban fabric where space management and the preservation of quality of life are essential.

The energy transition is at the heart of municipal issues with the 'Cité de l'énergie' label and the goal of carbon neutrality for the territory by 2050.

Energy renovation priorities

Energy renovation in Morges is based on a targeted improvement of the building envelope. The 'Programme Bâtiments' offers subsidies for the thermal insulation of walls and roofs, as well as for the replacement of windows.

The goal is to reduce heating needs, which is essential given the local climatic conditions, while improving thermal comfort and enhancing the value of the property.

Investments aimed at saving energy are tax-deductible. The deduction rate is 100% for the costs of replacing old building elements aimed at streamlining consumption.

If these costs exceed the net income, they can be carried forward to the two following tax periods.5 tons by 2050.

Heating, district heating, and cantonal rules

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

Although many jobs, such as changing windows or installing solar panels, are subject to a simplified procedure or exempt from permits, the context changes if the building is protected or located in a protected area.

Consultation with the building police office is essential.

For projects in the old town, particularly the creation of roof openings, the application must be submitted for approval to the 'Service Immeubles, Patrimoine et Logistique' (SIPAL) of the Canton of Vaud, Monuments and Sites Section.

Photovoltaic installations, although largely simplified, may require a public or administrative investigation for protected buildings. Anticipating these steps helps secure the project schedule.

The information provided here is indicative; it is always recommended to validate your project with the competent authorities before ordering any materials.

Financial aid and taxation

For photovoltaics, a one-time federal remuneration is provided, calculated based on the power of the installation. These grants significantly reduce the initial investment amounts.

Regarding taxation, the owner can choose each year between the deduction of effective costs (maintenance, energy renovations) or a lump-sum deduction.

The lump-sum deduction varies from 10% to 30% depending on the age and usage of the building (own residence or rented out, less or more than 20 years old).

Warning : if you choose the deduction of effective costs for energy saving works, you cannot claim the lump-sum deduction for the same tax period.

Costs exceeding the net income can be carried forward to the two following tax periods, thus offering valuable flexibility for large-scale projects.

Planning work and choosing companies

Successful renovation in Morges begins with rigorous planning. It is advisable to start with an energy audit to prioritize interventions: the envelope (facade, roof, windows) should be addressed before the heating system to correctly size the necessary power.

Check the 'Programme Bâtiments' website to verify the eligibility of the measures before signing any quotes, as this is a necessary condition for obtaining certain grants.

When choosing companies, prioritize local providers accustomed to Vaud-specific requirements and heritage needs. Verify their references and ensure they master the simplified procedures in force in Morges. Do not hesitate to ask for several comparative quotes.

4 °fH), plan, during plumbing or thermal system installation work, to integrate a softener if necessary to preserve your equipment.

Good communication with your contractor regarding potential administrative delays related to the building permit is also a sign of serenity.

Local data in detail

Heating and energy

A well-oriented solar PV system yields roughly 1'206 kWh per kWp per year here.[8]

Permits and heritage

Protected areas. yes[3]

Tax and renovation

The municipal tax coefficient of Morges is 67%.[9]

Water quality

Rules of the canton of Vaud

These rules apply across the whole canton, not only in Morges.

Choose your works in Morges

Climate data for Morges

Altitude
375 m[10]
Heating degree days
2'681 Kj/an (20/12 °C)[11]
Frost days
43 jours/an[12]
Solar irradiation
1'371 kWh/m²/an (horizontal)[13]
Winter design temperature
-4.2 °C (1er percentile des minimales)[14]
Mean temperature
11.9 °C[15]
Estimated solar yield
1'206 kWh/kWc/an (toit ~30° sud, PR 0.8, estimation)[8]

Nearby municipalities : Lausanne · Yverdon-les-Bains · Vevey · Nyon · Montreux · Renens · Pully · Écublens

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to apply for a building permit to change my windows in Morges?

Changing windows is generally subject to the simplified procedure or exempt from a permit. However, if your building is protected or located in a protected area, a permit is required.

What aid can I get for the insulation of my facade?

Grants are available through the 'Programme Bâtiments' for the insulation of the envelope. The amount is calculated per m² insulated, according to the energy requirements met.

Is the water in Morges hard?

Yes, the hardness level of the water provided by the 'Services industriels de Morges' is 32.4 °fH, which classifies it as hard water.

Is it possible to deduct energy saving works from taxes?

Yes, investments aimed at saving energy are deductible at 100%. If the income is negative, the balance can be carried forward to the two following tax periods.

How can I connect to district heating?

Morges Energies SA manages the development of the network. You should contact the operator to check if your building is located in an area covered by the current or future network.

Who should I contact to install solar panels in the old town?

The project must be submitted to the Morges building police office, which will forward the file for approval to the Monuments and Sites Section (SIPAL).

Sources

  1. [1] morgesavenir.ch
  2. [2] morges.ch
  3. [3] Morges - Démarches par travaux
  4. [4] morges.ch - Analyses effectuées aux puits filtrants du Morand
  5. [5] 24 heures
  6. [6] Règlement sur la déduction des frais relatifs aux immeubles privés (RDFIP)
  7. [7] État de Vaud — Permis de construire (LATC / RLATC)
  8. [8] Open-Meteo Historical Weather API (réanalyse ERA5, moyenne 2015-2024) · estimate
  9. [9] Taxation - Morges.ch
  10. [10] swisstopo – service d'altitude (MNT)
  11. [11] Open-Meteo Historical Weather API (réanalyse ERA5, moyenne 2015-2024)
  12. [12] Open-Meteo Historical Weather API (réanalyse ERA5, moyenne 2015-2024)
  13. [13] Open-Meteo Historical Weather API (réanalyse ERA5, moyenne 2015-2024)
  14. [14] Open-Meteo Historical Weather API (réanalyse ERA5, moyenne 2015-2024)
  15. [15] Open-Meteo Historical Weather API (réanalyse ERA5, moyenne 2015-2024)