How Much Does Boiler Replacement Cost in 2025?
The average cost to replace a boiler is $5,908
Installing a new boiler costs $5,908 on average, with most prices ranging between $3,604 and $8,447.
Final costs depend on boiler type, size, brand, fuel type, and additional factors.
High-efficiency boilers (90%+ AFUE) can save 10% to 20% on energy bills but cost between $6,000 and $11,000.
Hiring HVAC professionals is necessary, with labor costs ranging from $100 to $250 per hour.
This article was created using automation technology and thoroughly fact-checked and edited by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.
Boiler installation or replacement costs $5,908 on average, with prices ranging between $3,604 and $8,447. Standard-efficiency models (80% to 89% AFUE) cost $2,200 to $7,000, while high-efficiency models (90%+ AFUE) run between $6,000 and $11,000.
Factors like the boiler's brand, BTU rating, and type significantly affect your final cost. It’s essential to hire an HVAC professional to ensure proper installation, long-term efficiency, and compliance with local building codes.
Boiler Replacement Cost Factors
Depending on the model, you’ll pay roughly $4,000 to $9,000 for a standard gas boiler or $6,000 to $11,000 for a high-efficiency unit. Factors like the boiler's type, size, brand, and additional considerations like taxes, insurance, and warranties influence your final cost.
Type
Boiler types vary widely in price, typically falling between $3,602 and $8,446. Depending on the system, boilers can heat your home, provide hot water, or both. The system's design affects how it heats, distributes, and stores water or steam.
| Boiler Type | Average Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Standard (conventional) | $2,200–$7,000 |
| Combination | $2,600–$7,000 |
| System | $3,000–$6,000 |
| High-efficiency | $6,000–$11,000 |
Size
Your boiler has to match your home’s heating load to run at peak efficiency. The size of your home directly affects the size (or power) of the boiler you need.
Boiler size refers to its heating capacity, measured in British Thermal Units (BTUs) or kilowatts (kW). Higher BTU and kW ratings mean higher energy production and higher replacement costs.
Other factors may also influence your home’s heating demand and boiler size requirements, such as the age of your home, local climate, insulation quality, and the number of doors and windows. For example, see how climate zones impact typical heating capacity ratings:
Year-round humidity and heat: 18 to 35 BTUs per sq. ft.
Moderate heat and mild winters: 25 to 40 BTUs per sq. ft.
Moderate heat and cold winters: 35 to 50 BTUs per sq. ft.
Constantly frigid temperatures: 40 to 60 BTUs per sq. ft.
BTUs don’t have a single unit cost, but your home’s size, local climate, and other factors can help identify a cost range.
| Home Size (Sq. Ft.) | BTUs Required | Cost Range |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 | 30,000–45,000 | $4,000–$6,200 |
| 1,500 | 45,000–68,000 | 4,500–$6,800 |
| 2,000 | 60,000–90,000 | $5,100–$7,800 |
| 2,500 | 75,000–113,000 | $5,600–$8,600 |
| 3,000 | 90,000–135,000 | $6,100–$10,000 |
Brand
Brand name matters less for technology and more for build quality, warranty support, and customer service—features that often raise the price tag. Premium brands usually deliver better efficiency and longer life spans than budget options, but you’ll pay more up front.
Affordable brands have lower upfront costs, sometimes 10% to 20% lower than premium units, but still offer key features and conveniences.
Labor
Plan on $100 to $250 for the contractor’s initial visit, then another $100 to $250 per hour for the actual installation work.
Boiler Costs by Fuel Type
Boilers cost anywhere from $3,000 to $16,000, but prices vary by fuel type. These figures account for upfront installation costs, but fuel type can also impact long-term fuel supplies, maintenance, and repairs costs.
| Fuel Type | Unit & Installation Cost |
|---|---|
| Oil | $4,800–$9,000 |
| Propane | $2,800–$7,500 |
| Gas | $4,000–$9,000 |
| Electric | $1,800–$8,000 |
| Wood | $7,000–$16,000 |
Oil Boilers
Oil boilers cost $4,800 to $9,000. Fueling with oil continues to become more costly, and installing oil appliances in your home may require installing an oil tank. These units can be high maintenance but run at a higher temperature than other boilers, offering similarly increased efficiency.
Oil boiler replacements are most common in old homes with pre-existing oil tank installations, areas where gas is less accessible, or where other fuel types are less economical.
Propane Boiler
A propane boiler replacement costs between $2,800 and $7,500. While propane is more costly than natural gas, it burns more efficiently.
Gas Boiler
Gas boiler replacements cost $4,000 to $9,000. A gas boiler requires a gas line for your home and needs access to plumbing and vents. High-efficiency units also need access to a condensation drain.
Electric Boiler
Electric boilers are the least expensive to replace than other types, starting from $1,800, but some models can cost $8,000 or more. While they operate efficiently and with minimal energy waste, converting almost all the electricity into heat, they’re slow to do so. They’re most cost-effective for homes with limited square footage or in moderate climates.
Outdoor Wood Boiler
Outdoor wood boilers cost $7,000 to $16,000. These systems are often reserved for rural homes with limited grid or utility access. If wood suitable for burning is free or inexpensive, outdoor wood boilers can offer high heat with low operating costs.
Boiler Replacement vs. Repair
Choosing between a repair and a full replacement comes down to what saves you more money over time. Boiler repairs cost between $200 and $600, though sometimes they can be as much as $1,700. Since replacements can be 10 times more expensive, minor repairs are often preferred, especially if your system is in good condition and not too old.
Does a Boiler Replacement Increase Home Value?
A new boiler can nudge your home’s value upward—particularly in markets where boilers are the norm. Upgrading to a new model enhances safety, efficiency, and functionality, making your home more appealing to potential buyers. New boilers also offer higher efficiency and reliability, which can lead to a good return on investment.
Budgeting for a Boiler Replacement
Replacing a boiler is a significant investment, but you can streamline costs without sacrificing safety, quality, or efficiency. Here are some tips:
Look into tax incentives and rebates for energy-efficient boilers to offset upfront costs.
Size the boiler correctly for your home so it runs efficiently and lasts longer.
Bundle services with other HVAC needs like ductwork cleaning or AC repair.
Get detailed estimates from contractors to compare services closely.
To get an accurate estimate for your boiler replacement, reach out to local boiler professionals . Comparing quotes helps you find the best solution for your budget and needs.
How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data
No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. After a project is complete, we survey real customers about the costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
A boiler heats water to create steam or hot water for radiators and underfloor systems, while a furnace warms air that’s pushed through ductwork. Boilers provide consistent radiant heat and can boost energy efficiency because they don’t rely on blower fans or ducts that leak. Furnaces, on the other hand, tend to heat rooms faster but may produce uneven temperatures if the ductwork isn’t perfectly sealed and balanced.
The difference between water heaters and boilers is that boilers are engineered to heat water for home heating systems, whereas water heaters provide hot water solely for domestic use. Boilers circulate heated water or steam through radiators or underfloor systems, and certain combi-boilers can serve both heating and domestic purposes. In contrast, water heaters are dedicated to supplying potable water for showers, faucets, and appliances, with a design optimized specifically for this task.
A plumber can install a boiler according to local codes, but full installation requires the expertise of certified HVAC technicians. The installation must ensure all fuel connections, wiring, and safety standards are met—especially for gas boilers where a specialized gas plumber secures fuel line connections. This combined professional approach guarantees a safe, efficient, and compliant system installation.
You should replace your boiler when declining efficiency and operational issues compromise its performance. Boilers maintained well perform for about 15 years, and while cast iron units may extend beyond 20 years, diminished energy efficiency and rising utility costs demand replacement. When frequent breakdowns or inconsistent heat output occur, upgrade to a modern, high-efficiency model to ensure reliable and safe home heating.
Replacing your boiler takes between four hours and three days. The process duration is determined by factors such as additional gas line installations and whether the new boiler is replacing an identical system or converting to a new configuration. For installations within the same system, the replacement can be completed in as little as four to six hours, while converting systems requires extra time to ensure proper integration and safety compliance.
You cannot relocate your boiler without incurring significant costs and major system modifications. Boilers are purposefully installed near essential pipes and radiators, so moving them necessitates an extensive reconfiguration of plumbing and heating infrastructure. This disruption leads to increased labor, material expenses, and potential performance issues, making relocation impractical compared to replacing the boiler in its original location.
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