How Much Does a Home Radiator Replacement Cost? [2025 Data]

Cost Factors to Replace a Home Radiator

The cost to replace a radiator unit varies depending on the type of radiator, the material, the style, the size, labor costs, and whether you need a new boiler. 

Type of Radiator

The type of radiator you choose plays one of the most prominent roles in the total price tag. Steam radiators fall on the highest point in the price range, while hot water radiators come in towards the lower end of the price range. Here’s a breakdown of the different types of radiators.

Material

Your radiator’s material also impacts the price, costing anywhere from $200 to $1,000. Conventional cast iron radiators generally cost less than stainless steel radiator systems.

• Cast iron radiators: $200–$700

• Stainless steel: $400–$1,000

Style

Radiators come in various styles, with prices ranging from as little as $65 to as much as $1,500. Here’s a breakdown of the different price ranges by style.

Cost by Size (BTUs)

The size of your radiator impacts the total price, with larger homes needing more radiators than smaller homes.

To determine the right-sized unit for systems using BTUs, you will need to figure out the cubic volume of your space by multiplying its width, length, and height. Then, you’ll need to adjust for factors like room size and any other temperature-affecting room features (i.e., outside walls, windows, insulation installed, etc.).

Once you’ve got the final calculation for your BTU requirements, you can determine the radiator size you need. As you might expect, larger radiator sizes tend to cost more. 

Cost by Area in the Home

On average, adding radiators to three standard-sized rooms requires 10 to 15 radiators, which costs between $15,000 and $22,500. Most homeowners opt for heating key areas of their homes with a radiator rather than their whole house. 

Below is a chart to help you calculate the number of radiators you’ll need to effectively heat areas of your home.

Cost by Watts

Electric radiators use watts to determine the correct sizing for your home. In order to figure out what size electric radiator you need, you’ll have to figure out the cubic volume of your space, just like we reviewed above (multiply length, width, and height, and factor in room features).

This will give you your space’s BTU requirements. To convert this number to watts so you can match it to an appropriate electric radiator, you simply need to divide the BTU number by 3.41.

Here’s a breakdown of new electric radiator costs by watts.

Labor

HVAC labor costs to install a radiator typically range between $100 and $150 per hour. Because installing a new radiator can be a complicated process, it requires the skills of an HVAC specialist. 

New Boiler Installation Costs 

If you’re installing a new radiator system or need to replace your current system completely, you may have to purchase a new boiler, too. Boilers range from $580 to $12,000. Labor costs to install a new boiler range between $1,500 and $2,500. A boiler installer near you can also repair a boiler for between $200 and $600.

Cost to Install a Radiator Yourself vs. Hiring a Contractor

Plumbed and electric radiator systems require the expertise of a professional to do the job correctly. Unless you have experience installing radiators, you shouldn’t attempt to DIY it. If you do have experience, you’d only have to pay for the cost of the radiator itself. So your cost will vary based on the number of radiators you need, as well as the style and material. You’ll likely pay between $65 on the lowest end to DIY, and $1,500 on the high end. You’ll save between $100 and $800 on installation costs if you install a radiator yourself. 

Plumbed radiators take around three to four hours to install, while electric units take around two to three. You’ll end up spending anywhere from $200 to $800 to have a pro install a plumbed system and $100 to $600 to install an electric radiator.

Again, it’s best to leave the installation to the pros. An HVAC technician near you has the skills needed to handle the potentially hazardous installation. 

Replacing vs. Repairing a Radiator

Most radiators last at least eight years. If your radiator is only a few years old, you should consider repairing it instead of replacing the entire unit. The cost to repair a radiator is between $100 and $500, which saves you $1,000 to $1,400 if the cost to replace your unit is the average price of $1,500. 

Here are the most common radiator repair problems and their estimated costs.

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 extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on 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. 

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