Price guide · Heating
Boiler Replacement Cost
Boiler replacement, installed
Quick answer: Replacing a boiler costs $3,200 to $9,000 installed on average, with a national average of $6,100, according to HomeGuide. Angi puts the average at $5,910. Gas boilers run $4,000 to $9,000 installed, combi boilers $6,000 to $10,000 and high-efficiency models $4,000 to $11,000. Removing the old boiler, permits and asbestos abatement can add to the total.
Boilers heat water and send it to radiators, baseboards or radiant floors instead of blowing air through ducts. HomeGuide puts a replacement at $3,200 to $9,000 installed, with a national average of $6,100. Angi's average is $5,910, with a full range of $600 to $12,000.
Cost by fuel type
| Fuel | Installed (HomeGuide) | Angi |
|---|---|---|
| Electric | $1,800 – $8,000 | $1,800 – $8,000 |
| Propane | $2,800 – $7,500 | $2,800 – $7,500 |
| Gas | $4,000 – $9,000 | $4,000 – $9,000 |
| Oil | $3,300 – $9,000 | $4,800 – $9,000 |
| Wood | $7,000 – $16,000 | $7,000 – $16,000 |
Cost by boiler type
| Type | HomeGuide (total) | Angi |
|---|---|---|
| Standard / conventional | $2,200 – $7,000 | $2,200 – $7,000 |
| Combi | $6,000 – $10,000 | $2,600 – $7,000 |
| System | – | $3,000 – $6,000 |
| High-efficiency | $4,000 – $10,000 | $6,000 – $11,000 |
A combi boiler heats the home and supplies hot water on demand,. HomeGuide lists unit prices of $1,200 to $4,000 for hot water boilers and $1,800 to $6,000 for steam boilers.
Cost by home size
| Home size | Angi (installed) | HomeGuide (standard efficiency) |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 sq ft | $4,000 – $6,200 | – |
| 1,500 sq ft | $4,500 – $6,800 | – |
| 1,200 – 2,000 sq ft | – | $2,200 – $5,700 |
| 2,000 sq ft | $5,100 – $7,800 | – |
| 2,000 – 2,800 sq ft | – | $2,400 – $6,200 |
| 2,500 sq ft | $5,600 – $8,600 | – |
| 3,000 sq ft | $6,100 – $10,000 | – |
| 2,800 – 3,600 sq ft | – | $3,000 – $7,100 |
Unit vs labor
HomeGuide lists the boiler unit at $1,400 to $6,500 and labor and fitting at $1,200 to $3,200. Angi lists contractor rates of $100 to $250 per hour and an initial assessment of $100 to $250.
Standard vs high efficiency
| Efficiency | Unit (HomeGuide) | Installed (HomeGuide) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard (80% – 89% AFUE) | $1,200 – $5,000 | $2,200 – $7,000 |
| High (90% – 95%+ AFUE) | $1,900 – $7,000 | $4,000 – $10,000 |
HomeGuide says high-efficiency boilers can cut energy bills by 10% to 20%.
Other costs
| Item | Cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Old boiler removal and disposal | $200 – $500 | HomeGuide |
| Permits | $50 – $300 | Angi |
| Inspection | $40 – $75 | Angi |
| Asbestos removal | $1,150 – $3,000 | Angi |
| Adding gas or propane service | $1,000 – $3,000 | Angi |
Repair or replace?
HomeGuide lists boiler repairs at $200 to $600. For an older boiler that needs a major part, compare the repair against the cost of a new unit. If you are considering switching to forced air, see furnace replacement cost or heat pump cost.
What a boiler does
A boiler heats water and circulates it, as hot water or steam, through radiators, baseboard heaters or radiant floor loops. Boilers are less common than forced-air furnaces in most of the U.S. but are still used in many older homes and in homes with radiant heating.
Types of boilers
- Conventional (non-condensing) gas boilers.
- High-efficiency condensing boilers that recover heat from exhaust gases.
- Combi boilers that also provide domestic hot water.
- Oil and electric boilers.
What affects the price
- Boiler type and efficiency.
- Size, which should be based on a heat loss calculation.
- Venting changes, especially when switching to a condensing boiler that uses PVC venting and needs a condensate drain.
- Removal of the old boiler, which can be heavy cast iron.
- Pumps, valves and controls.
- Permits.
More on repair or replace
Repairs to circulator pumps, igniters, valves and controls are common and usually worth doing on a boiler in good shape. A cracked heat exchanger or a leaking cast iron section often means replacement.
Questions to ask
- Did you calculate my home's heat loss to size the boiler?
- Will the venting need to change?
- Can the new boiler provide domestic hot water as well?
In Texas
Boilers are uncommon in Texas homes, where forced-air systems and heat pumps dominate. If your home does have a boiler, finding a contractor experienced with hydronic heating may take more research.
Choosing the right boiler type
Conventional or heat-only boilers heat water for the radiators or radiant floors, with a separate water heater or tank for domestic hot water.
Combination (combi) boilers heat both the heating system and the domestic hot water on demand, without a separate tank. They save space but may not keep up with several showers at once in a large home.
Condensing boilers capture extra heat from exhaust gases and are more efficient. They work best when the water returning to the boiler is relatively cool, which is easier with radiant floors or oversized radiators.
Non-condensing boilers are simpler and cost less but are less efficient.
Steam systems are a special case and need a steam boiler, which is different from a hot water boiler.
Sizing a replacement
Boilers should be sized with a heat loss calculation, not just matched to the old boiler's rating. Many older boilers were oversized, and the home may have been improved with insulation and windows since. An oversized boiler cycles on and off frequently, which wastes fuel and wears parts. A right-sized boiler with modulating controls can run longer at lower output, which improves efficiency.
What else changes with the boiler
Replacing a boiler often involves more than the boiler itself:
- Venting. Condensing boilers vent through plastic pipe, often through a side wall. Non-condensing boilers may need a chimney liner.
- Near-boiler piping. The pipes, valves and pumps around the boiler may be updated.
- Expansion tank. Usually replaced or checked.
- System flushing. Old systems can have sludge that harms a new boiler, especially a condensing one.
- Controls. Outdoor reset controls adjust water temperature based on outdoor temperature, which improves efficiency.
Signs your boiler needs replacing
- Frequent repairs on an older boiler.
- Leaks from the boiler itself.
- Rising fuel bills.
- Uneven heating.
- Yellow or lazy flames, soot, or carbon monoxide alarms, which are safety issues.
Annual maintenance
Boilers should be serviced every year. A technician cleans the burner and heat exchanger, checks the controls and safety devices, tests for carbon monoxide and checks the system pressure and expansion tank.
How long a boiler replacement takes
A like-for-like boiler replacement often takes one to three days, depending on the piping, venting and controls. Switching fuel types, converting from a chimney to direct venting or adding domestic hot water can take longer. Ask how long the heat will be off, which matters in winter.
Permits
Boiler replacements usually need a permit. The installer should arrange the inspection. Keep the permit and inspection records with the boiler's manual, since they help with warranty claims and when the home is sold.
Sources
HVAC contractors in Texas
Our Texas business directory lists 1,058 HVAC contractors across 6 major cities. The ratings below are the average Google rating of the listed businesses in each city, and the review counts are the total number of Google reviews they have received.
| City | Businesses listed | Avg. Google rating | Total reviews |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houston | 464 | 4.7 | 72,003 |
| Dallas | 121 | 4.8 | 26,510 |
| San Antonio | 200 | 4.7 | 63,399 |
| Austin | 108 | 4.8 | 39,568 |
| Fort Worth | 99 | 4.7 | 25,658 |
| El Paso | 66 | 4.5 | 11,208 |
Source: twupro Texas business directory, built from public Google Maps listings.
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