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Air-to-water heat pump installation in French-speaking Switzerland
Replace your oil or gas boiler while keeping your radiators. Heat pump with natural R290 refrigerant: works down to −28 °C, water up to 75 °C, A+++ rated.
- R290 refrigerant (GWP 3)
- Free thermal assessment
- Turnkey installation
- French-speaking Switzerland
Why now
Your oil or gas boiler is costing more and more
Oil and gas prices in Switzerland are volatile and trending upward. On top of this comes cantonal regulation: several French-speaking cantons have adopted schedules for the gradual phase-out of fossil fuels in residential heating. Today, replacing your heating system is a choice. Depending on your canton's schedule, it will soon be a requirement at every replacement. Anticipating the transition — rather than being forced into it when a boiler fails in the middle of winter — is the most cost-effective approach.
The air-to-water heat pump is the chosen solution. It extracts heat from the outside air — even at −28 °C — and delivers it to your heating circuit at 75 °C. The energy efficiency of a modern heat pump (SCOP 3 to 4 depending on the model and conditions) means that every kWh of electricity produces 3 to 4 kWh of heat — a structural advantage over combustion boilers.
We only install heat pumps with R290 (natural propane) refrigerant. R290 has a climate impact of GWP 3, compared with 675 for the R32 still used by most manufacturers. It requires no F-gas certification and will not be subject to the regulatory restrictions that will affect other refrigerants in the years ahead.
Our approach
A solution tailored to your project, not a product pushed on you
Abelarti does not push a single brand. We select the heat pump suited to your building, your existing heating circuit, your consumption profile and your goals.
Thermal assessment
Analysis of your building, radiator compatibility, required output, monobloc or cascade choice depending on the project.
R290 only
Natural refrigerant, GWP 3, outside upcoming F-gas restrictions. A structurally sustainable choice.
Quantified subsidies
Cantonal Buildings Programme, oil/gas phase-out bonus, tax deduction: we quantify every layer.
A single point of contact
From assessment to commissioning: one Abelarti advisor follows your project, with no rotating subcontractors.
Property value
Switching from a fossil-fuel boiler to a heat pump improves the building's CECB energy rating — a criterion that the French-speaking Swiss property market values more and more.
Our selection
Two R290 heat pumps, two uses
Here are the two R290 air-to-water heat pumps we install regularly in French-speaking Switzerland. The choice depends on the size of the building and the installation context.
LG THERMA V R290 Monobloc
Smart heat,
all year round.
R290 monobloc heat pump designed for the Swiss residential sector: works down to −28 °C, water up to 75 °C, A+++ rated and remarkably quiet in night mode.
Multi-family & commercial
Panasonic AQUAREA M T-CAP
Designed for apartment buildings and commercial properties: cascadable up to 300 kW, water at 75 °C even at −15 °C outdoors. Fully hydraulic installation — no refrigerant piping inside the building, so no F-gas certification required. Domestic hot water can be produced at 65 °C by the compressor alone, without a backup electric heater.
- Cascade
- Up to 300 kW
- Max water
- 75 °C at −15 °C
- Rating
- A+++ (ErP 35 °C)
- Integration
- Modbus / BMS
The misconception
« You have to rip everything out to switch to a heat pump. » — No.
The R290 heat pumps we install produce water up to 75 °C even at −15 °C outdoors. Your existing radiators, sized for an oil or gas boiler that ran at 70-80 °C, work perfectly with this temperature range.
The result: your renovation is limited to replacing the boiler with the heat pump. Your radiators, your plumbing, your habits — everything stays. The work typically takes 2 to 3 days.
The right timing
When to replace?
The worst time to change your heating system is in the middle of winter, when your boiler has just failed. Urgency forces the first available solution. Here are three signs that it's time to plan ahead, rather than be caught out.
Before the next breakdown
Beyond 15 to 20 years, oil and gas boilers break down more often and their efficiency declines. If your installer flags that a major repair is coming, that's the tipping point.
When your tank is nearly empty
If your oil tank is almost empty and a refill is due, it's the moment to ask the question again. The cost of a refill covers a significant share of the technological leap to a heat pump.
Before regulation decides for you
Several French-speaking cantons have adopted schedules that will require, at every replacement, a switch to a renewable system. Planning ahead leaves time to compare, calculate subsidies, and choose the right sizing.
Our process
From study to commissioning
- 1
Free thermal assessment
Analysis of your building, radiator compatibility, required output. Energy review with no obligation.
- 2
Quantified estimate
LG or Panasonic choice, cantonal subsidies already identified, clear and detailed costs.
- 3
Paperwork handled
Cantonal Buildings Programme, oil/gas phase-out bonus, permit application if required, grid connection.
- 4
Installation
Removal of the old boiler then installation of the heat pump, typically 2 to 3 days.
- 5
Commissioning & follow-up
Training, app-based monitoring, responsive after-sales service.
Complete energy
Heat pump + solar: the coherent combination
A heat pump replaces your oil or gas bill with electricity consumption. If part of that electricity comes from photovoltaic panels on your roof, you directly self-consume your own production to heat your home.
From an energy standpoint, it's the most coherent combination: the heat pump runs when the sun is producing (clear winter days, shoulder seasons), and the summer solar surplus covers domestic hot water and other electrical uses. With a SCOP of 3 to 4, every kWh self-produced by your roof heats 3 to 4 kWh of water.
In practical terms: by moving away from oil or gas and installing a properly sized solar system, a significant share of the electricity the heat pump consumes is self-produced — reducing both the heating bill and your exposure to swings in electricity prices.
Heat pump subsidies 2026
Cantonal Buildings Programme + boiler replacement bonus
Replacing a fossil-fuel boiler with a heat pump is supported by the cantonal Buildings Programme. Depending on your canton, your municipality and your situation (oil phase-out, gas phase-out, Minergie label), additional bonuses may apply. Cantonal tax deductions also apply in most French-speaking cantons.
The trust of our clients
They entrust us with replacing their boiler
- R290 refrigerant GWP 3, outside upcoming F-gas restrictions
- 10 years compressor warranty (LG & Panasonic)
- A+++ rated energy efficiency at the highest ErP level
« Replaced our boiler in 3 days, without touching our radiators. The house stays comfortable even at the height of a cold snap. »
« Thorough thermal assessment, transparent quote. Cantonal subsidies costed out from the very first meeting and filed correctly. »
« The R290 choice was explained clearly, no jargon. Clean installation, night mode genuinely silent for the neighbours. »
- Swiss quality
- R290 (GWP 3)
- A+++ rated
- 10-year compressor
- Turnkey installation
Frequently asked questions
What our clients ask us
Will my heat pump work at −20 °C?
Yes. The LG THERMA V R290 Monobloc is certified to operate down to −28 °C. The Panasonic AQUAREA M maintains its rated power down to −15 °C. The harshest winters in French-speaking Switzerland rarely reach these temperatures — the heat pump covers 100% of your needs without electric backup.
Can I keep my radiators?
Yes, in the vast majority of cases. R290 heat pumps produce water up to 75 °C — more than enough for your existing radiators. We check compatibility during the study and explicitly flag if a radiator is undersized.
What is the difference between R290 and R32?
R290 is natural propane with a climate impact (GWP) of 3. R32 is a synthetic fluorinated gas with a GWP of 675. R290 does not require F-gas certification at installation and will not be affected by the regulatory restrictions that progressively target fluorinated gases.
How much does an air-to-water heat pump cost?
The investment depends on the required power, the complexity of the replacement (removing the old boiler, the heating network, domestic hot water) and the chosen model. The cantonal and federal subsidies then reduce the net amount. Our study prices your specific project with all the applicable layers of support.
Will the noise bother the neighbours?
In night mode, the LG THERMA V reaches 26 dB(A) at 5 metres — well below the Swiss regulatory thresholds for residential zones. We position the outdoor unit taking into account the exposure of the surrounding properties.
What warranty is there?
LG and Panasonic both offer a 10-year compressor warranty (the most critical part), and 3 years on parts and accessories. Abelarti guarantees its installation. Local after-sales service, with spare parts guaranteed for 10 years.
Do I also need to insulate my house?
It is not mandatory — R290 heat pumps work very well in moderately insulated houses. But combining a heat pump + insulation maximises the savings: less power needed, lower bills, combined subsidies. We price both options in a combined study if it interests you.
What is the lifespan of a heat pump?
Modern heat pumps have a typical lifespan of 15 to 20 years with regular maintenance. The most exposed compressors are guaranteed for 10 years, with spare parts available well beyond that.
Can I pair my heat pump with solar panels?
Yes — it is in fact one of the most efficient combinations. Your panels produce electricity that the heat pump converts into heat with a yield of 3 to 4 to 1. The seasonal complementarity is imperfect (summer solar production vs. the heat pump's winter consumption), but the annual balance remains very favourable, especially with a battery.
How long does the replacement take?
For a single-family home, the complete replacement (removing the old boiler + installing the heat pump + filling the system) typically takes 2 to 3 days. The hot water is cut off for half a day at most.