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Renovation support

Building energy optimisation in Appenzell Outer-Rhodes

Appenzell Outer-Rhodes funds the energy optimisation of buildings through its «Förderprogramm Energie 2021 Plus» (in force since 1 January 2025, flyer as of 01/2026): insulating roofs, walls and floors, replacing oil, gas or electric heating, solar thermal and photovoltaics. You apply before works begin; advice from Verein Energie AR/AI is free.

The rates shown come from the cantonal programme; support covers at most 50% of the investment. Municipal support does not reduce cantonal support.

Covered rates and scope

Indicative official rate. The final amount depends on the application and cantonal decision.

Who can apply

  • Private property owners and municipalities; not buildings of the Confederation or the cantons.
  • For insulation: a building whose building permit predates 2000, and only parts already heated.
  • For heating replacement: a building that has existed for at least 5 years.
  • A building located in Appenzell Outer-Rhodes: the applicant's place of residence does not matter.

What is not subsidised

  • Works started before the application: an application filed afterwards is not considered.
  • Windows: the insulation measure only covers roofs, walls and floors.
  • New buildings, extensions and raised storeys, except new Minergie-P buildings.
  • Batteries, operational optimisation and home automation: no cantonal support.
  • Double funding with the KliK foundation, the Confederation or a private climate organisation.

Technical conditions

  1. Insulation: U-value of at most 0.20 W/m²K after works (0.25 W/m²K more than 2 m below ground), improved by at least 0.07 W/m²K.
  2. Insulation: a GEAK Plus must accompany the application when envelope support exceeds the threshold of the cantonal energy ordinance (art. 25a kEnV); Minergie projects are exempt.
  3. Envelope bonus: at least 90% of the main surfaces (façade and roof) renovated at the same time, with a separate application.
  4. Heat pump: it replaces oil, gas or electric heating, as the main heating with hydronic distribution; heat pump system module or quality label; no complete fossil or electric heating may remain.
  5. Ground probe drilled by a quality-labelled company; subsidised output limited to 50 W per m² of heated floor area.
  6. Support capped at 50% of the investment; for self-build, only materials count.

The application, step by step

  1. Ask Verein Energie AR/AI for neutral, free advice, by phone or in person, including in Appenzell and Heiden.
  2. Gather the quotes (product, lambda value, thickness), the area and U-value calculations and, if required, the GEAK Plus.
  3. Enter the application online on the Buildings Programme portal (AR): there is no form to download.
  4. Print, sign, add the attachments and post everything to Verein Energie AR/AI before works start (Minergie: to the environment office).
  5. Wait for the commitment, which does not replace the building permit, then complete the works within 2 years; a single extension is possible on a reasoned request.
  6. Send the documents once the works are finished; support is paid after the final check and can be reclaimed if the conditions lapse within 5 years.

Check the building by address

Check the building by address

The address identifies the canton and prepares an initial view of plausible support.

Submit the application and wait for the decision required by the programme before starting work or making a binding commitment.

Parcellis does not issue energy certificates and is not an accredited body.

Frequently asked questions

What does Appenzell Outer-Rhodes subsidise to optimise a building?

Insulation of roofs, walls and floors, with a bonus if the envelope is almost fully renovated; replacing oil, gas or electric heating with a heat pump, wood or a heat network; the first installation of a heat-distribution system; solar thermal, photovoltaics, Minergie and solar advice.

Must the application be filed before works in Appenzell Outer-Rhodes?

Yes: an application received after works have started is not considered (art. 26 of the cantonal energy ordinance). Only photovoltaics are still applied for after commissioning; from 1 January 2027 they too must be applied for before works.

Do I need a GEAK Plus in Appenzell Outer-Rhodes?

Yes, when the support requested for the envelope exceeds the threshold of the cantonal energy ordinance; Minergie-certified projects are exempt. The canton does not subsidise the GEAK Plus itself, but the municipality of Herisau contributes to it.

Is a storage battery subsidised in Appenzell Outer-Rhodes?

No longer by the canton: support for solar batteries ran from 2018 to 2020 and was dropped in the 2021 Plus programme. The municipality of Teufen has its own support, to be requested before works. On an existing building, a battery is tax-deductible as an energy-saving measure.

Are new windows subsidised in Appenzell Outer-Rhodes?

Not by the cantonal programme: the insulation measure only names roofs, walls and floors. Insulating windows that replace old ones remain tax-deductible as an energy-saving measure.

Is there free energy advice in Appenzell?

Yes: Verein Energie AR/AI gives neutral, free advice, by phone or in person. The «renewable heating» advice is free if the heating is more than 10 years old, and the solar advice, with a small contribution, becomes free when combined with it.

Does municipal support reduce cantonal support in Appenzell Outer-Rhodes?

No: municipal support does not reduce the cantonal contribution, third-party support does, and double funding is excluded. Energy-saving costs you still bear, on an existing building, are deductible from income.

Official sources and date

retrieved on 2026-10-15