Vaud

Renovating in Yverdon-les-Bains: A complete guide for homeowners

Renovating a property in Yverdon-les-Bains requires careful planning, considering the local climate and the City's energy goals. This guide assists you through key steps to enhance your property while meeting current standards.

435 m

Altitude

11.3 °C

Mean temperature

49

Frost days

1'172 kWh/kWc

Estimated solar yield

Local housing stock

In Yverdon-les-Bains, the federal building register lists 2'992 residential buildings and 15'846 dwellings. These municipal benchmarks help put your home in context, but do not replace an individual assessment.

68 %built before 1980
88 %heated by oil or gas
7.9 %electric hot water
9.3 %with declared solar thermal

Age of residential buildings

68 % built before 1980

  • Before 191918 %
  • 1919–194519 %
  • 1946–196016 %
  • 1961–19708 %
  • 1971–19807 %
  • 1981–199011 %
  • 1991–20006 %
  • 2001–20107 %
  • Since 20119 %

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

Main heating energy

60 % · Gas

  • Gas60 %
  • Heating oil28 %
  • Heat pump6 %
  • Electricity3 %
  • District heating2 %
  • Wood2 %

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

Heating and hot water: which energies?

EnergyHeatingHot water
Gas60 %45.9 %
Heating oil28 %25.4 %
District heating2 %0.8 %
Heat pump6 %5.4 %
Electricity3 %7.9 %
Wood2 %1 %
Solar thermal0 %6.9 %

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)64.5 %
  • Condensing boiler12.6 %
  • Heat pump10.6 %
  • Standard boiler6.5 %
  • Central electric heating2.4 %
  • Heat exchanger (district)1.5 %
  • Stove1.1 %

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

Houses or apartment buildings?

  • Single-family houses45.2 %
  • Two-dwelling houses10.1 %
  • Apartment buildings (3+)38.3 %
  • Other6.4 %

16.7 % of buildings mix housing with shops or offices.

The typical building

storeys (median)
3
median footprint
124 m²
median dwelling area
75 m²

Dwellings by number of rooms

9.7 %1 rm
19.2 %2 rm
35.4 %3 rm
23 %4 rm
12.7 %5+ rm

Dwellings per building

  • 1 dwelling49.1 %
  • 2 to 424.4 %
  • 5 to 911.7 %
  • 10 to 197.9 %
  • 20 or more6.9 %

Renovations, heritage and volumes

In Yverdon-les-Bains, RegBL data provides crucial insights for your renovation project. With 1 building officially protected out of 167 known entries, homeowners must engage with municipal authorities early regarding heritage permits. Regarding size, the median house volume is 808 m3 based on the SIA 416 standard, which is vital for calculating insulation or heating requirements. Please note that data coverage is partial, as only 244 houses have been measured out of 1352. Consequently, you should verify your property’s specific dimensions to ensure accurate cost estimations and appropriate planning for your building's scale.

1
buildings flagged as protected
status known for 167 of 2'803 buildings; check with the municipality
808 m³
median house volume (SIA 416)
measured for 244 of 1'352 houses

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

Local context: Climate and Yverdon specificities

Located at an altitude of 435 meters, Yverdon-les-Bains faces climatic conditions that directly affect building thermal performance.1°C, insulation and heating systems are vital for occupant comfort.

Heating requirements, evaluated at 2,845 Kj/year, highlight the importance of an efficient building envelope.

The real estate sector in Yverdon must meet the city's ambitious goals. As a certified Energy City, Yverdon aims for carbon neutrality by 2050.

This framework requires a comprehensive approach for any renovation, encouraging owners to favor sustainable solutions to reduce direct and indirect emissions while improving building resilience against future climate challenges.

Priorities for efficient energy renovation

Energy renovation in Yverdon-les-Bains begins with an analysis of the building envelope. Facade insulation and window replacement are pillars for reducing heat loss.

These interventions are eligible for subsidies through the Vaudois Buildings Program, which financially supports energy performance improvements. Better insulation reduces energy bills and sustainably increases the property's market value.

Additionally, the use of renewable energy is strongly encouraged. The installation of solar photovoltaic panels benefits from favorable sunshine, with an estimated production of 1,172 kWh/kWp/year.

The choice of insulation materials and windows must align with greenhouse gas reduction targets. Before starting, a thermal diagnosis is recommended to prioritize the most cost-effective works according to your building's specific characteristics.

Heating: Solutions and Y-CAD district heating

Yverdon-les-Bains relies heavily on the development of district heating networks. The Y-CAD network, majority-owned by the city, offers an alternative to oil heating, especially for older buildings.

Using sources like wood, biogas, and heat pumps drawing from the lake or groundwater, this network enables effective heating decarbonization. Projects like CAD-LOTUS, CAD-STEP, and CAD-SANTAL illustrate this strategy.

For buildings outside the connection area, installing heat pumps is a common alternative. Replacing fossil or electric heating with a heat pump entitles owners to subsidies via the Buildings Program.

Simplified procedures for these installations exist, with attention to noise nuisances managed by municipal authorities. The choice between district heating connection and individual installation should be evaluated based on the building's location.

Permits and heritage protection

However, this rule does not apply to listed buildings or those in protected zones, where stricter requirements for preserving historical character apply.

For heat pumps, the simplified procedure also applies, provided distance and noise emission standards are met. It is mandatory to check with the municipality or prefecture before starting work.

If there is a change in external appearance, dimensions, or usage, a building permit is required. Administrative compliance is an essential step to avoid delays or restoration orders from municipal authorities, who oversee the city's architectural integrity.

Financial aid, subsidies, and taxation

For photovoltaics, a federal one-off payment via Pronovo completes this system. These aids significantly reduce the real cost of energy investments.

Tax-wise, the canton of Vaud offers flexibility. Investment costs aimed at energy savings are 100% deductible. Taxpayers can choose between actual costs or a flat-rate deduction.

A notable advantage is the possibility to carry forward energy-related investment costs that were not fully absorbed by taxable income for two tax periods.

These tax provisions, combined with direct subsidies, make renovation projects more accessible to Vaudois owners.

Planning works and choosing companies

Planning a renovation in Yverdon-les-Bains requires a structured approach. Create a complete list of needs, considering maintenance schedules and energy goals.

It is advisable to hire certified professionals who can provide detailed quotes and understand local water hardness (30-38 °fH), which impacts sanitary equipment selection.

Choosing companies should be based on solid references and knowledge of Vaudois standards. Good planning includes checking available subsidies before signing contracts. Don't forget administrative deadlines, even with simplified procedures.

Strict site supervision by experts ensures that works meet quotes and performance standards. Successful renovation relies on close cooperation between the owner, artisans, and if necessary, Yverdon-Energies services.

Local data in detail

Heating and energy

A well-oriented solar PV system yields roughly 1'172 kWh per kWp per year here.[7]

Water quality

Rules of the canton of Vaud

These rules apply across the whole canton, not only in Yverdon-les-Bains.

Choose your works in Yverdon-les-Bains

Climate data for Yverdon-les-Bains

Altitude
435 m[8]
Heating degree days
2'845 Kj/an (20/12 °C)[9]
Frost days
49 jours/an[10]
Solar irradiation
1'332 kWh/m²/an (horizontal)[11]
Winter design temperature
-5.1 °C (1er percentile des minimales)[12]
Mean temperature
11.3 °C[13]
Estimated solar yield
1'172 kWh/kWc/an (toit ~30° sud, PR 0.8, estimation)[7]

Nearby municipalities : Lausanne · Vevey · Montreux · Nyon · Renens · Morges · Pully · Écublens

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a permit to install solar panels in Yverdon-les-Bains?

In the canton of Vaud, the installation of solar photovoltaic panels is generally subject to a simplified procedure or is exempt from building permits, unless the building is protected.

What subsidies are available to replace my oil boiler?

The Vaud Buildings Program offers subsidies to replace a fossil-fuel boiler with a heat pump, depending on the power and type of installation.

Is connection to the Y-CAD district heating network possible everywhere?

The Y-CAD network is expanding gradually. It is best to verify network availability in your street with Yverdon-Energies.

Are insulation works tax-deductible?

Yes, investments aimed at saving energy are 100% deductible from taxable income in the canton of Vaud.

What is the water hardness in Yverdon-les-Bains for my sanitary appliances?

The water distributed by Yverdon-Energies is classified as 'hard', with a hardness between 30 and 38 °fH.

How can I know if my building is in a protected zone?

You should consult the municipal zone plan or contact the municipality's urban planning department directly.

Sources

  1. [1] ycad.ch
  2. [2] energiestadt.ch
  3. [3] S0
  4. [4] PO23.04REP Rapport au Conseil communal d'Yverdon-les-Bains
  5. [5] Règlement sur la déduction des frais relatifs aux immeubles privés (RDFIP)
  6. [6] État de Vaud — Permis de construire (LATC / RLATC)
  7. [7] Open-Meteo Historical Weather API (réanalyse ERA5, moyenne 2015-2024) · estimate
  8. [8] swisstopo – service d'altitude (MNT)
  9. [9] Open-Meteo Historical Weather API (réanalyse ERA5, moyenne 2015-2024)
  10. [10] Open-Meteo Historical Weather API (réanalyse ERA5, moyenne 2015-2024)
  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)