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How Much Does Boiler Replacement Cost?

By Tamara Jude & Reviewed by NFRC

Typical costs range from $1,200 to $16,000.

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Boiler replacement costs typically range from $1,200 to $16,000, but homeowners will pay around $7,400 on average. Although a good boiler lasts 15 to 20 years, it will need to be replaced eventually. When that happens, you&#;ll need to consider your home&#;s size, which type of boiler you want, and which fuel you want to use. Modern boilers can be nearly 99% efficient, saving you money on heating costs.

Boilers heat homes by pushing hot water or steam through radiators, baseboard heaters, or other radiant heat systems. They may get their power from gas, heating oil, electricity, or even wood. We&#;ll go over the various types of boilers available and their average costs below.

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Average Boiler Replacement Cost

The average cost to replace a residential boiler is $7,398, but the price can range from $1,200 to $16,000 depending on the following factors.

• Boiler type:

  Different

  boiler systems

  store and

  heat water

  in different ways, making them more or less complex to install. Complicated installations cost more.

• Fuel type:

  Boilers most commonly run on

  natural gas

  ,

  propane

  , or heating oil, though some run on electricity or even wood. These all have varying costs.

• Home size:

  The larger your home, the larger a boiler you&#;ll need to heat it.

Cost by Boiler Type

Boilers can be classified based on the number of storage tanks they use and how they heat the water in the system. In general, boilers are either conventional, system, or combination boilers. Conventional and system boilers create heat using either hot water or steam.

Boilers are also classified as either condensing or noncondensing. Different types of boilers are better suited to different functions, and many are available in both standard and high-efficiency models. We&#;ll go over the differences between boiler types in detail below.

Type of BoilerCost RangeAverage CostNoncondensing$1,500&#;$5,000$3,250System$3,000&#;$5,500$4,250Condensing$1,900&#;$7,000$4,450Hot Water$1,200&#;$8,000$4,600Conventional$2,200&#;$7,000$4,600Steam$2,500&#;$9,000$5,750Combination$2,000&#;$10,000$6,000

Noncondensing Boilers ($1,500&#;$5,000): Standard boilers are noncondensing, which means they must vent excess heat from the fuel they burn. You can save money upfront on noncondensing boilers, but you won&#;t save as much on energy bills compared to other options.

System Boilers($3,000&#;$5,500): A system boiler is sort of a midpoint between a conventional and combi boiler. System boilers heat water as it enters the boiler unit and store it in a single tank to use for both heating and water supply. They take up less space than traditional boilers but can handle a higher water output than combi boilers. Their price point also represents a midpoint between conventional and combi boilers.

Condensing Boilers ($1,900&#;$7,000): Condensing boilers use this exhaust heat as part of their functioning, making them high-efficiency boilers. They&#;re also a bit more expensive, but cost less to operate, saving you money on energy bills long term.

Hot Water Boilers ($1,200&#;$8,000): Hot water boilers heat water to a temperature between 140 and 200 degrees Fahrenheit, then pipe it through a home&#;s radiator system. Because these boilers operate at a lower temperature than other types, they&#;re more energy-efficient and can sometimes provide a home&#;s usable hot water supply in addition to heating it.

Conventional Boilers ($2,200&#;$7,000): Conventional boilers store water in two separate tanks: one for the heated water and one for the cold water yet to be heated. They&#;re large and complicated to install, but are excellent for large homes because they can hold and heat so much water. Conventional boilers heat water for radiators but not for faucets, so you&#;ll need a separate water heater.

Steam Boilers ($2,500&#;$9,000): Steam boilers heat water past 212 degrees Fahrenheit until it becomes steam, which is then sent throughout the home&#;s radiator system. Steam boilers are larger than hot water boilers, making them more appropriate for larger homes and other buildings. They can also produce more heat than hot water boilers, but they&#;re less energy-efficient and more expensive.

Combination Boilers ($2,000&#;$10,000): A combination or combi boiler combines the functions of a boiler and a water heater. Instead of putting hot water in a storage tank, these boilers heat water as it comes through the unit, which means combi boilers are smaller and more energy-efficient. However, they can&#;t heat as much water at a time as a conventional unit or produce it as quickly. This makes them best suited to small homes and apartments. Combination boilers are more expensive than conventional boilers, but less expensive than purchasing both a conventional boiler and water heater separately.

Cost by Fuel Type

The type of fuel the boiler uses to produce heat also affects price. This determines not only the new boiler cost, but also the price to run it.

Fuel TypePrice with InstallationElectric$1,800&#;$8,000Propane$2,800&#;$7,500Natural Gas$4,000&#;$10,000Oil$4,800&#;$9,000Wood$7,000&#;$16,000

Electric Boilers ($1,800&#;$8,000): Boilers that run on electricity are usually smaller and less powerful than other types. They&#;re highly energy-efficient and don&#;t waste heat exhaust, but they take a relatively long time to heat up and require a high power input. Because of this, they&#;re typically only used in warm climates. They may also be used to heat only part of a home or as a supplemental heating system.

Propane Boilers ($2,800&#;$7,500): Boilers can run on natural gas by being hooked up to a self-contained propane tank. Propane boilers are a little less expensive.

Natural Gas Boilers ($4,000&#;$10,000): Boilers can also run on natural gas by being hooked up to a municipal gas line and require access to plumbing and vents.

Oil Boilers ($4,800&#;$9,000): Heating oil isn&#;t as popular as it once was, thanks to rising costs and concerns about clean energy. However, many older boilers run on oil, and you can still find these models for sale in some parts of the United States, usually the northeast. These boilers are more expensive to install because you&#;ll also need to have a tank put in to hold the fuel oil.

Wood Boilers ($7,000&#;$16,000): Boilers that burn wood for heat aren&#;t common, but they do exist. These boilers typically sit outside the home, so they&#;re usually used in rural environments and can be quite cost-effective if you have access to a supply of firewood.

Cost by Home Size

Boiler size is determined by the square footage of the space you need to heat. Size is measured in terms of BTU, or British thermal units. You&#;ll need a system that provides 30 to 45 BTU for every square foot of space depending on the climate where you live. Naturally, boiler prices increase based on the unit&#;s size and power.

Home Size (Square Feet)Boiler Capacity (BTU)Price1,000 sq ft30,000&#;45,000$4,000&#;$6,,500 sq ft45,000&#;68,000$4,500&#;$6,,000 sq ft60,000&#;90,000$5,100&#;$7,,500 sq ft75,000&#;113,000$5,600&#;$8,,000 sq ft90,000&#;135,000$6,100&#;$10,000

Additional Cost Considerations

The above factors have the biggest influence on boiler installation prices, but a few other considerations should be taken into account.

Boiler Brand

Some manufacturers charge more than others for their products. However, most boiler brands sell a variety of sizes and models ranging from budget options to top-of-the-line.

BrandUnit PriceBurnham$1,200&#;$5,500Crown$1,700&#;$4,500Peerless$1,700&#;$5,000Navin$1,800&#;$4,500Utica$1,800&#;$6,000Lennox$1,800&#;$6,700Bosch$2,000&#;$4,500

Changing the Fuel Type

It&#;s possible to convert your existing boiler to run on a different fuel source. Natural gas and propane boilers are the easiest to convert into the other since the fuel is so similar. A kit only costs about $150 to $500, though you&#;ll have to pay $1,700 to $4,300 to install a propane tank if you&#;re converting from municipal gas. 

Many homeowners with oil boilers are choosing to convert them to gas boilers to take advantage of a less expensive fuel. For this, you may need to pay for a gas line installation or hook-up and a chimney liner to protect your flue from exhaust. This may cost several thousand dollars, but your overall heating costs should decline with the new system.

Energy Efficiency

The U.S. Department of Energy measures heating systems&#; efficiency with an annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) rating. This rating is determined by dividing the amount of fuel provided to the heating system by the amount of heat it produces. For example, a system with an AFUE of 85% turns 85% of the energy it consumes into usable heat, and the other 15% is wasted as exhaust.

Old, drafty boilers could have AFUE scores as low as 55% to 70%. Nowadays, boilers are required to have a rating of at least 80%, and high-efficiency boilers can be rated as high as 98.5%. These high-efficiency boilers are typically electric, but gas and propane boilers can reach about 95% efficiency. Anything over 90% is considered high-efficiency, and you&#;ll typically pay more for these boilers up-front. However, you&#;ll save money on your heating bill over time since a greater portion of fuel is converted into heat.

New vs. Existing Installation

If you&#;re installing a new boiler that&#;s approximately the same size and fuel type as the old boiler, you&#;ll pay less for labor than you would to install a different model. Large fuel or storage tanks and large boiler units may require extra infrastructure, increasing installation costs.

Boiler Repair vs. Replacement

Sometimes, all your boiler needs is a new thermostat or heat exchanger to keep operating smoothly. Boiler repair is almost always less expensive than boiler replacement. The national average cost to repair a boiler is about $391, compared to about $8,000 for replacement. However, a boiler will need more frequent repairs as it ages, and the cost often increases. If you multiply your boiler&#;s age by the cost of the repair and the resulting number is greater than $5,000, it&#;s time to consider replacement.

Professional vs. DIY Boiler Replacement

Boiler installation and replacement are not do-it-yourself (DIY) jobs. In fact, many states require that boilers be installed by a licensed professional contractor to meet building codes.

Professional Boiler Replacement

Boilers are large, complex pieces of machinery that are integral to your home&#;s HVAC system. They often connect to gas lines or electrical systems, which may require the service of licensed plumbers or electricians. HVAC technicians typically charge $75 to $200 per hour, but this is well worth the cost to get the job done properly and prevent damage to your home during installation or operation. You may also be able to get a discount on the material costs by purchasing your new boiler from a professional installer.

DIY Boiler Replacement

Attempting to replace or install a boiler yourself is a bad idea and is even illegal in some places. Licensed technicians have the training and experience to do the job quickly and efficiently, and they carry insurance to protect both them and you. In addition to the fuel boilers use, boiler systems hold a great deal of water, and any kind of leak or spillage could cause substantial damage to your home. For all these reasons, it&#;s imperative that you hire a licensed contractor to install your boiler.

How to Reduce Boiler Replacement Costs

Though you&#;ll need to hire a professional, you can still keep costs low by following these tips.

• Choose the size and

  fuel type

  that are right for your home&#;s

  square footage

  and climate. Buying a boiler that&#;s too large will cost more

  up-front

  and in continued operating costs.

• If possible, have your boiler installed in the off-season when the weather is mild and

  HVAC contractors

  are less in demand.

• Keep up with

  boiler maintenance

  to prolong the

  life span

  of your existing unit. A

  boiler needs

  annual inspections and servicing.

• Opt for

  boiler repair

  over replacement when possible.

• Check for state or local tax rebates or other incentives for installing a boiler with a high

  efficiency rating

  .

• Look for boilers with long-term

  warranties

  .

• Get at least three quotes from local HVAC contractors to find the best deal.

Our Recommendation

Boiler replacement is a costly project, ranging from $1,200 to $16,000 depending on the factors listed in this article. You must hire an experienced, licensed professional to do the job correctly, protect your safety, and preserve the integrity of your home. When possible, opt for a condensing, high-efficiency boiler to save energy and money throughout winter. We recommend requesting multiple quotes and having the job done before the weather turns cold to minimize costs.

Compare Quotes from HVAC Specialists

Just answer a few questions, and we&#;ll take care of the rest!

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Boiler Replacement Cost FAQ

How long do boilers usually last?

Residential boilers usually last 15 to 20 years. If your boiler is approaching this age and breaking down frequently, it may be time to replace it.

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Can you replace a boiler yourself?

Unfortunately, you cannot replace a boiler yourself. This is a dangerous, complex job that requires detailed knowledge of many of your home&#;s important systems. Hire a licensed HVAC technician to protect your safety and preserve the integrity of your home.

What are some signs that a boiler needs repaired or replaced?

Here are some signs that your boiler may need repair or replacement.Your home isn&#;t heating up.Your home heats up slowly or unevenly.You smell odd or foul odors from your boiler.You notice leaks.Your energy bills are increasing.Your boiler&#;s pilot light is out.You hear hissing or clunking sounds from your boiler.Your boiler is more than 15 to 20 years old.

What is the difference between a boiler and a furnace?

While furnaces and boilers both heat homes, they do it differently. A furnace heats air and blows it through ductwork to raise the temperature. A boiler heats water and sends it through pipes and radiators to indirectly heat the air.

Consider the price of boiler installation in two parts: the cost of labor and the cost of the boiler itself. Your home size, fuel source and system type affect both cost factors, as some types of boilers take more time to install. Let&#;s take a look.

Boiler Capacity

Your local climate is a great place to start when determining the price of a new boiler. Manufacturers measure boilers by BTUs, or British Thermal Units. The higher the BTU rating, the more energy they produce and the more they cost. Intuitively, living in a warmer area will require fewer BTUs and living up north will require more. Pair this info with the size of your home, and you&#;ve got a simple boiler cost equation.

The numbers below list the number of BTUs per square foot required in each climate zone. If we multiply the approximate square footage of your home by the high end of the range, you&#;ve got your BTU calculation.

For example, a 2,000-square-foot home in an area with a rating of 35 will require a boiler of 70,000 BTUs. We&#;ll break down the prices for each in the next section.

CLIMATE ZONE BOILER CAPACITIES

Climate Zone

Capacity Rating

Year-round heat and humidity

18 &#; 30

Moderate heat and warm winters

25 &#; 40

Moderate heat and cold winters

35 &#; 50

Extreme cold winters

40 &#; 60

Cost by Home Size

While there is no direct cost-per-BTU, we&#;ve included the cost ranges for each home and boiler size below. The price and capacity range account for other factors other than your local climate and home size. The age of your home, insulation quality and the number of windows all contribute.

Explain extra factors that affect BTU (insulation, windows and age). Investing in the cost of an energy audit before installing a new boiler may lower your necessary capacity.

HOME SIZEBOILER CAPACITYAVERAGE PRICE

1,000

20,000 &#; 60,000 BTU

$3,700 &#; $6,200

1,200

24,000 &#; 72,000 BTU

$3,400 &#; $6,500

1,500

30,000 &#; 90,000 BTU

$3,900 &#; $6,800

1,750

35,000 &#; 105,000 BTU

$4,600 &#; $7,100

2,000

40,000 &#; 120,000 BTU

$5,300 &#; $7,400

2,500

50,000 &#; 150,000 BTU

$5,400 &#; $8,000

3,000

60,000 &#; 180,000 BTU

$6,000 &#; $9,700

Cost by Fuel Type

Additional boiler cost factors, such as the type of fuel used to produce energy, will sway prices as well. Keep in mind that the prices below include the cost of materials and labor for installation only. Operating costs will vary as well. Electric boilers, for example, only cost an average of $5,200 upfront, but due to their low efficiency and slow heating process, they cost more in utilities over time.

For this reason, natural gas, propane and oil boilers are the most common in colder climates. Installation prices for boilers of these varieties run higher due to the complex hookup to local gas lines or oil tanks required.

FUEL TYPEPRICE (PARTS AND INSTALLATION

Electricity

$1,500 &#; $8,000

Propane

$3,300 &#; $9,800

Natural gas

$3,900 &#; $11,000

Oil

$4,400 &#; $9,000

Wood

$7,500 &#; $16,000

By System Type

Boilers heat your home and send water rushing through your pipes. While some boilers focus solely on heating, others will contain two tanks to handle both tasks. You can also choose between hot water or steam for home heating as well as condensing or non-condensing designs. Condensing boilers go the extra mile by using the heat exhaust produced by the process to further heat your home, making them far more efficient.

TYPE OF BOILERPRICE RANGE (MATERIALS ONLY)

Non-condensing

$1,200 &#; $5,000

Hot water

$1,200 &#; $8,000

Condensing

$1,500 &#; $7,000

Conventional

$2,200 &#; $7,000

Combination

$2,300 &#; $85,00

Steam

$2,500 &#; $9,000

System

$3,000 &#; $5,700

Installation Cost

It is important to hire an HVAC professional or master plumber with the proper certifications. The price of labor will come down to the complexity of the job, whether it&#;s a replacement or new installation in addition to where you live.

Labor Cost

The cost of labor alone ranges from $700 to $5,000, or an average of $2,500, about a third of the boiler cost. In some cases, professionals will charge by the size of the project at a rate of $75 to $200 an hour.

Residential Boiler Costs by Brand

It&#;s easy to get lost in the list of boiler brands and wonder which is the best pick for your money. Working with an experienced boiler installation team can help you compare names and suppliers without sacrificing quality.

BOILER COST BY BRAND

Brand Name

Cost Range (Unit Only)

Bosch

$2,500 &#; $5,000

Burnham

$2,000 &#; $8,000

Lennox

$2,000 &#; $8,000

Peerless

$1,800 &#; $15,000

Rinnai

$1,700 &#; $2,900

Utica

$2,000 &#; $6,000

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