Saving smartly in everyday life
Rising electricity prices have long been noticeable in Switzerland. At the same time, most households do not simply want to "use less," but rather use energy more intelligently: more comfort, less waste, and a better overview of their own consumption. This is exactly what smart homes are designed for. Intelligent devices, automation, and energy management help to identify power guzzlers, minimize standby losses, and control consumption in a way that better suits everyday life (or solar power).
In this guide, you will learn how much a smart home costs, where the biggest savings opportunities lie, and how you can achieve measurable energy savings with manageable effort.
How much does a smart home cost in Switzerland?
The cost of a smart home cannot be determined on a flat-rate basis. It ranges from simple individual applications to comprehensive automation solutions for entire apartments or single-family homes. The decisive factor for the price is whether you gradually retrofit existing devices or have a fully integrated system installed by a specialist company. In addition, it makes a big difference whether the smart home is implemented in a new building or in an existing property.
Costs for a typical single-family home
If a single-family home is retrofitted with smart home technology, the total cost is usually between $20,000 and $30,000. The reason for this is the higher installation costs, as cables, sensors, and controls have to be integrated into existing structures.
Implementation is significantly cheaper if the smart home is already planned into the new build. In this case, the costs for a fully equipped system are usually between CHF 12,000 and CHF 17,000, as the technical infrastructure can be taken into account from the outset.
Such a system usually includes motion detectors, heating control, switch and blind controls, wall switches, and temperature sensors for an average single-family home. It is controlled centrally via smartphone or tablet. In addition to the one-time investment costs, you should expect annual maintenance costs of around $300 to $600 . If the system is expanded to include an alarm system, an additional $500 to $1,200 per year will be added for the connection to an emergency call center.
Costs for an average apartment
Even with condominiums, the costs depend heavily on whether it is a retrofit or a new build. For the retroactive installation of a smart home in an apartment , the total costs are usually between $12,000 and $15,000.
The cost is lower in new buildings, which is why a complete smart home system for a four- to five-room apartment can often be installed for between CHF 5,000 and CHF 9,000.
This level of equipment usually includes motion detectors, heating control, switching and blind channels, buttons, and temperature sensors. It is operated centrally via an app. For ongoing operation, you should budget around CHF 300 to 600 per year for maintenance . If an alarm function is also integrated, there will be additional annual costs of around CHF 500 to 1,200 for the emergency call center.
Why smart homes are so effective at saving electricity
The concept is simple: energy is only used when it is really needed.
Sensors, time profiles, and automation prevent lights, appliances, or heating from running unnecessarily. In addition, many systems provide consumption data in real time or as a history—so you can quickly see which devices are consuming a lot of energy when "idle" and where optimization really makes sense.
Smart heating control: the biggest lever in everyday life
In many households, heating is the dominant energy expense—and this is precisely where smart solutions often deliver the greatest benefits. Intelligent thermostats and room sensors adjust the temperature according to usage, time of day, and occupancy. Common functions include:
- automatic lowering when absent
- Schedules per room instead of "the same everywhere"
- Window-open detection (heating turned down as soon as ventilation begins)
- Control via app (handy for vacations or irregular daily routines, for example)
Even small adjustments can have an impact: if rooms are not constantly heated "in reserve," consumption decreases—without feeling any less comfortable.
Smart lighting: quick to implement, immediately noticeable
Smart LEDs are one of the easiest ways to get started. They use significantly less electricity than old light bulbs and can be controlled very precisely—for example, according to the time of day, movement, or scenes (working, eating, relaxing). Automatic control prevents lights from staying on longer than necessary, especially in basements, entryways, garages, and stairwells.
Intelligent cooling: optimizing endurance runners
Refrigerators and freezers run around the clock, which is why even small improvements can have a significant impact over the course of a year. Smart appliances or energy management systems can, for example, better coordinate temperatures and operating phases, take door openings into account, or provide warnings when settings are unfavorable. In households with PV systems, it may also be interesting to note that appliances tend to run more intensively when a lot of solar power is available.
Rinsing, washing, drying: more efficient thanks to automation
Modern appliances use sensors for loading and programs—smart versions go even further and can be controlled by time: Washing machines, dryers, and dishwashers can be run when electricity is cheaper or when solar power is being produced. In addition, many systems report malfunctions early on and assist with maintenance management, which reduces downtime and can have a positive impact on service life.
Photovoltaics and smart homes: particularly powerful when combined
The combination of PV and smart home is often the biggest efficiency booster. The reason: you can control consumers in such a way that they use as much of their own electricity as possible.
Typical automations:
- Heat pump starts up preferentially when PV production is high
- Washing machine/dishwasher run automatically during the day
- Electric cars charge using surplus energy instead of expensive grid electricity
- Battery storage smooths out evening and nighttime consumption
Good energy management also shows you transparently where your electricity is going and where your consumption can still be optimized.
Is a permit required for smart home installations?
For most retrofit solutions, you do not need a building permit because neither the facade nor the structural integrity are affected. What is important is that the work is carried out professionally: as soon as the fixed electrical installation is modified (e.g., conversions, new cables, larger control systems), this should be carried out or checked by a qualified electrician in accordance with the applicable standards. Plug-and-play devices such as smart sockets or thermostats are usually straightforward.
Conclusion: Smart homes save electricity—and make everyday life easier
Smart home technology has long been more than just a "gadget." When used correctly, it helps to save electricity and energy in a targeted manner: through reduced standby consumption, better heating control, automatic lighting, optimized household appliances, and—particularly effectively—through intelligent interaction with a photovoltaic system. Whether you start small or plan an entire system right away, the key is that the technology fits into your everyday life and optimizes real consumption.
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