How Much Does Boiler Installation and Replacement Cost? [2024 Data]
Normal range: $3,605 - $8,432
Boiler installation or replacement costs about $5,895 on average, although prices range from about $3,605 and $8,432 depending on boiler type, fuel type, house size, and other factors.
Heating your home is vital, especially when returning from chilly days outside. Boiler installations cost about $5,895 on average, with some projects costing as little as $600 and others costing as much as $12,000.
- Average
- $5,895
- Low end
- $600
- high end
- $12,000
Boiler Installation and Replacement Cost Factors
A few factors are at play when it comes to the price of a new boiler. Here’s what to know.
How to Calculate the Price of a New Boiler
The price of your new boiler depends on the size of your home, so you’ll need to know your square footage to calculate the size of the boiler you need.
Boiler sizes are measured by how much heat they give off, represented in BTUs (British Thermal Units). Find your BTU rating by multiplying your home’s square footage by the climate number representing your region in the table below.
| Cold Factor | Climate or Region |
|---|---|
| 25 to 40 | Hot and warm, e.g., the Southeast |
| 40 to 50 | Moderate, e.g., the mid-Atlantic |
| 50 to 60 | Colder climates, e.g., Pacific Northwest |
| 60 to 70 | Frigid climates, e.g., Northeast |
For example, if you live in a 2,000 square foot home in the mid-Atlantic, you’ll multiply 2,000 by the higher end of the cold range (in this case, 50) to figure out that you need a boiler with a capacity of 100,000 BTUs.
Boiler Installation Cost by House Size
An estimate of the cost of your boiler by your home’s square footage and boiler capacity goes as follows:
| Home Size | BTUs | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 sq. ft. | 30,000 – 45,000 | $4,000 – $6,200 |
| 1,500 sq. ft. | 45,000 – 68,000 | $4,500 – $6,800 |
| 2,000 sq. ft. | 60,000 – 90,000 | $5,100 – $7,800 |
| 2,500 sq. ft. | 75,000 – 113,000 | $5,600 – $8,600 |
| 3,000 sq. ft. | 90,000 – 135,000 | $6,100 – $10,000 |
Costs include materials and labor.
Boiler Replacement Cost by Fuel Type
Fuel type will have a major impact on both your ongoing costs and how much you pay for a new boiler.
| Fuel Type | Price |
|---|---|
| Oil | $4,800 – $9,000 |
| Gas | $4,000 – $9,000 |
| Propane | $2,800 – $7,500 |
| Electric | $1,800 – $8,000 |
| Wood | $7,000 – $16,000 |
Oil Boiler
Oil burns hotter than gas, so oil boilers are more efficient at heating homes. You can expect to pay $4,800 to $9,000 for a boiler with this fuel type.
However, oil boilers require more maintenance than gas options, so keep things like long-term maintenance costs in mind before buying. Keep in mind that many older oil boilers, especially those with low efficiency or low-grade fuel requirements, are being phased out across the country, with laws in some states more stringent than others.
Gas and Propane Boiler
Propane and natural gas are common options for heating homes. Propane boilers run $2,800 to $7,500, and gas boilers cost $4,000 to $9,000. However, installation alone will run between $1,000 and $3,000 and requires the installation of exhaust lines, drains, and fuel lines.
Electric
Electric boilers are highly efficient, despite a high operating cost ranging from $1,800 to $8,000. They also don't require some of the components that gas and oil boilers need, like exhaust vents. Still, they take a long time to heat up.
As a result, electric boilers can be an attractive option for tiny homes and homes in warm climates.
Wood
Large, outdoor, wood-fueled boilers are options in rural areas that have easy access to wood. While wood boilers may cost more initially than some boilers at $7,000 to $16,000, they are less costly to run, provided you have plenty of wood. These are most common in rural locations where access to suitable wood is free or inexpensive.
Boiler Replacement Cost by System Type
Boilers are typically broken out by fuel type, but they can also vary in other ways—like their system types.
| Boiler Type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Conventional | $2,200 – $7,000 |
| Combination | $2,600 – $7,000 |
| System | $3,000 – $6,000 |
| High-efficiency | $6,000 – $11,000 |
Standard/Conventional Boilers
The average cost for a standard or conventional boiler falls between $2,200 and $7,000. These boilers work by quickly heating the water in pipes and then sending the water to taps. Standard units are one of the most popular choices for homeowners in large homes. They’re especially ideal for floor heating systems.
Combination Boilers
Combination boilers are a popular option because they’ll give you access to hot water quickly. However, the supply tends to be limited due to the lack of a storage tank. Combination boilers are smaller than standard boilers and cost around $3,000, with a cost range of about $2,600 to $7,000.
System Boilers
For most average-sized homes, system boilers cost about $3,000 to $6,000 to purchase. They work by keeping high-pressure hot water in a sealed cylinder, where it can be sent to multiple taps within the home at the same time. This means that there is a minimal drop in water pressure regardless of which tap you’re using.
High-Efficiency Boilers
High-efficiency boilers are up to 98% efficient. This accounts for thousands of dollars in savings over the boiler's life. Standard boilers are around 80% efficient.
Of course, if you're in a mild climate, this isn't as big of an issue. Still, in cooler areas, when conserving heat is vital, you’ll probably benefit from high-efficiency boilers. Standard boilers average in price between $3,000 and $6,000. High-efficiency models start at $6,000 and can go up to $11,000.
Region and Climate
Detailed boiler customization chooses BTUs based on your region and its climate. Warmer climates make it much easier to heat water, even for larger houses, so fewer BTUs are required. You can estimate your necessary BTUs by finding out which climate zone you live in.
Cost to Remove a Boiler
What happens to your old boiler? These units are too large and complicated for the average homeowner to move on their own. That’s why replacing a boiler also requires boiler removal costs.
Boiler removal pricing varies based on the type of boiler. For example, disconnecting gas lines is more complex than taking out an electrical heating unit. Old boilers from 50 years ago or longer are especially expensive to safely remove because of the risk of asbestos and other issues.
Additional Boiler Installation Costs to Consider
In addition to the main costs of installing a boiler, you’ll also want to consider the following extras that could impact your total expenses.
Permits
Before you can install a boiler, you’ll need to acquire a permit. Most permits range anywhere from $50 to $300. The biggest cost factors include your location and whether your installation is for an existing home or a new build.
New builds tend to cost towards the higher end of the price range. You might also need to have an inspection, which runs anywhere from $40 to $75.
Ductwork
The price to install ducts is between $3,000 and $7,500 for 300 linear feet. Larger homes may cost up to $15,000 to install more ducts per linear foot, while smaller homes might fall under the average price range. Ductwork can add a significant price tag to your installation if you don’t already have one installed. However, when it comes to boilers vs. furnaces, boilers typically don’t have ducts, so you’re unlikely to have to pay extra for new ducts. Instead, most boilers tend to use water pipes.
Boiler Tank Installation or Replacement
See if you can repair your existing boiler before you decide to install a new one. You’ll spend somewhere between $200 and $600 on the cost to repair your boiler—though in some cases you can spend as much as $1,700. Compared to the $5,901 national average for replacing one, keeping the one you have could be more cost-effective.
If your boiler is over 15 years old, you should replace it. If you’re not sure if your newer boiler should be replaced, multiply your unit’s age by the cost of the repair. If the number is more than $5,000, replacing your boiler is more cost-effective.
Upgrading Insulation
If your home needs new insulation, the cost to install insulation is around $5,200. To save on insulation prices, you might not need to replace all of the insulation in your home. Instead, you might want to insulate your attic, crawl space, or basement to keep the heat inside your home and decrease how hard your boiler system will have to work to warm your house.
New Gas Lines or Pipes
Installing new gas lines costs between $120 and $1,350 or $550 on average.
If you already have gas lines installed, you can circumvent these additional expenses. Anticipate spending between $15 and $25 per linear foot for labor and materials. The type of material you choose can hike up the price or save you money:
| Material | Cost per Linear Foot |
|---|---|
| Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) | $0.50 – $1.50 |
| High-density polyethylene (HDPE) | $0.50 – $1.50 |
| Copper | $1 – $3 |
| Corrugated stainless steel tubing (CSST) | $2 – $4 |
| Galvanized steel | $3 – $8 |
| Black iron | $3 – $8 |
Electrical Upgrades
Nobody likes having an electrical system that can’t handle the electrical load in their house. The cost to upgrade your home’s electrical system depends on what you plan on upgrading. Here’s a breakdown of the average costs of various electrical upgrades.
The cost to rewire a house: $1,500
Amp service upgrade cost: $1,350
Asbestos Removal
If your contractor discovers the dreaded asbestos inside your home while removing an old boiler, the cost to remove asbestos is $2,100 on average, or between $1,150 and $3,000. If your entire house contains asbestos, you could spend anywhere from $15,000 and $30,000 to remove it. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), asbestos is a dangerous mineral that can cause cancer, so you’ll want to take action.
Thermostat Replacement
The cost to replace a thermostat is $175 on average. You might pay more depending on the type of thermostat you have for your boiler. For example, smart thermostats can run up to $300 on average.
Maintenance
Once your boiler is installed, you’ll need to factor in maintenance costs. There are several maintenance services that keep your unit running smoothly, including the following:
| Service | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Tune-up costs | $400 – $500 |
| Gas and oil boiler cleaning | $150 – $500 |
| Flushing boiler | $200 – $600 |
| Boiler inspection | $100 – $300 |
| Boiler maintenance | $75 – $125 |
Signs You Need to Replace Your Boiler
Other than looking at the warranty on your particular model and seeing that your unit is outdated, a few signs that your boiler needs to be replaced include:
Frequent boiler services and repairs
Unit failure and shut-offs
Discoloration of your unit, including black soot or a yellow appearance on the gas burners
Failure to maintain ideal indoor temperatures
Longer heating time
Leaks in your unit that require you to add more water to your boiler
Unexplainable energy bill increases
DIY Boiler Installation Cost vs. Hiring a Pro
Installing a residential boiler is a job best left to the pros. If you install one incorrectly, you could risk causing damage to your boiler or the floors of your home. Instead, find a local boiler installation company to safely install your boiler.
You’ll spend between $1,500 to $2,500 for DIY boiler installation. But again, improper boiler installation could cause serious damage to your home. Not to mention, it’s illegal to install a boiler without a license in some states. A local HVAC technician would charge somewhere between $75 to $200 an hour to do the job, so you’d save a few hundred dollars in labor fees going the DIY route.
How to Save on Boiler Replacement Costs
The initial costs of a new boiler can be high. These tactics will help you save when picking a new model.
Compare several boiler installers: They may offer different quotes depending on availability, supply, and other considerations.
Switch to a more efficient boiler: Boilers are measured by the AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) rating, which is a percentage-based comparison. The bigger the number, the more efficient the boiler. Increasing your AFUE by 15% or more leads to significant savings over time.
Stick to the same model: If saving on initial costs is a more important goal, look for the same brand and type of boiler. Switching to a different fuel source or a significantly different system requires new attachments, fuel lines, and more.
Look for discounts and incentives: Some installers offer discounts for a first-time installation with their company, or a discount if you sign up for a maintenance plan. Also, summer is considered an off-season for boiler installation and may yield more discount options.
Incentives and rebates: Federal and state governments can both offer rebates, as can local utility companies. Look up your address on the Energy Star website to see available incentives, and ask your installer what rebates are available in your area. A qualifying Energy Star-rated boiler can recoup 30% of the first $600 as a tax credit.
Make an insulation plan: If your home lacks proper insulation, you may be able to upgrade your insulation and choose a smaller, less expensive boiler than before. It’s an additional investment, but well worth it for long-term savings.
How Angi Gets Its Cost Data
Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We’ve surveyed thousands of real Angi customers about their project 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.
Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to costquotes@angi.com. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.
Frequently Asked Questions
With proper maintenance, boilers last for around 15 years on average. A cast iron boiler may last longer, over 20 years, but you should always consider the efficiency of older boilers and opt to replace an old one if it’s significantly lower than newer, high-efficiency boilers. Otherwise, you’ll be spending more on your utility bills each month.
It can take anywhere from four hours to three days to replace a boiler with a new one. How long your particular boiler installation takes will depend on whether you need a gas line installed and if you’re switching to a new boiler system.
Replacing a combination boiler or standard boiler with the same system should only take four to six hours. Meanwhile, switching from a conventional boiler system to a combination boiler system could take a few days.
Probably not. Moving a boiler to a new location is a very different prospect from replacing it in the same spot, and significantly more expensive. Plus, boilers are typically carefully positioned in proximity to pipes and radiators when installed. Homeowners may want to move boilers to free up space, prevent freezing problems that have happened in winter, or solve a noise issue—but it’s a much more costly proposition.
A furnace is designed to directly heat air and pass it through ductwork using a fan system, which expels the heated air through vents in various rooms. A boiler is also designed to heat a home, but it uses water instead. It heats the water, then passes it into pipes and radiators where the heat can radiate outward, warming nearby humans (and their pets). The lack of air movement with a boiler can help address allergy issues or heat homes where there’s no room for furnace ductwork. A furnace costs $4,780 on average, while a boiler costs $5,900.
Zone heating divides homes up into different sections, typically with their own separate vents, ducts, and thermostats. This method makes it easier to directly control temperatures in different places, stop heating sections of the home that you’re not using, and other tricks. However, if you have a boiler then zone heating gets more complicated, often requiring a separate pipe system. If you’re interested in adding zone heating, mention this early on when looking for a local contractor.