Boiler Replacement Cost (2026)
Updated October 2026
A boiler replacement runs $4,500–$10,000+ installed (This Old House), with Fixr averaging $6,100 (most pay $3,000–$8,500) and Bob Vila averaging $5,678 (typical range $3,624–$8,061). The boiler unit alone is $2,700–$7,700 — labor, permits, and disposal make up the rest. Fuel type, efficiency tier, and square footage set where you land in the band.
Cost by fuel type
| Fuel | Replacement cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Electric | $2,500–$6,000 | Cheapest equipment; only where electric service and rates make sense. |
| Propane | $2,800–$9,000 | Common where no gas line exists; tank adds cost. |
| Natural gas | $4,000–$10,000 | The mainstream choice where a gas main is available. |
| Oil | $4,800–$9,000 | Legacy systems in the Northeast; conversion adds $500–$2,500. |
Source: Fixr fuel-type table (single-source — no second publisher broke out fuel separately).
Cost by boiler type
| Boiler type | Cost range | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| Conventional / standard | $2,200–$7,000 | Traditional non-condensing design. |
| Combination (combi) | $2,600–$10,000 | Heats space and domestic hot water in one unit. |
| System | $3,000–$6,500 | Built-in components; no separate cold-water tank. |
| Condensing / high-efficiency | $4,000–$11,000 | 95–98% AFUE tier; the premium band. |
Cost by home size (BTU sizing)
| Home size | Fixr recommended BTUs | Fixr installed range |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 sq ft | 40,000 | $4,000–$6,500 |
| 1,500 sq ft | 60,000 | $4,500–$7,000 |
| 2,000 sq ft | 80,000 | $5,100–$8,000 |
| 2,500 sq ft | 100,000 | $5,500–$8,800 |
| 3,000 sq ft | 120,000 | $6,000–$10,000 |
Rule of thumb: 30–50 BTU/h per sq ft (This Old House); cold-climate multipliers push that toward 60–70 BTU/sq ft at the frigid end.
The line items beyond the unit
- Labor: $1,000–$3,500 — Fixr; typically includes old-unit removal, but some contractors charge separately.
- Old boiler removal & haul-away: $200–$500 — Only when not already in the labor quote.
- Permits: $50–$300 — Corroborated by both Fixr and Bob Vila.
- Inspection fees: $40–$75 — Bob Vila.
- Fuel-conversion / relocation: $500–$2,500 — Gas lines, propane tank, or high-voltage outlet work.
- Asbestos removal (if found): $1,500–$3,000 minimum — A real risk in older homes with legacy boiler insulation.
Why the three averages differ
This Old House ($4,500–$10,000+), Fixr ($6,100 avg), and Bob Vila ($5,678 avg) sample different job mixes — efficiency tier, fuel conversions, and asbestos surprises pull individual quotes above the average. All three overlap in the $4,000–$9,000 installed region, which is the band to anchor quotes against; get at least three contractor quotes against your fuel type and square footage.
Boiler vs your other heating options
Boilers heat with hydronic (hot water) radiators or baseboards rather than forced air — if you're not tied to radiator infrastructure, compare furnace and central AC replacement costs and mini split installation costs. Keep whatever system you choose healthy — the HVAC tune-up cost breakdown covers annual service, and our HVAC cost calculator estimates replacement scenarios for your square footage.
FAQs
How much does it cost to replace a boiler?
All three major cost guides overlap in the $4,000–$9,000 installed region: This Old House puts replacement at $4,500–$10,000+, Fixr averages $6,100 (most pay $3,000–$8,500), and Bob Vila averages $5,678 (typical $3,624–$8,061). The unit alone runs $2,700–$7,700 before installation.
What size boiler do I need?
Both cited guides size by square footage at roughly 30–50 BTU/h per sq ft (more in cold climates). Fixr's table: 1,000 sq ft needs ~40,000 BTU ($4,000–$6,500 installed), 2,000 sq ft ~80,000 BTU ($5,100–$8,000), and 3,000 sq ft ~120,000 BTU ($6,000–$10,000).
How long does a boiler last?
Both This Old House and Bob Vila frame replacement around a ~15-year lifespan. Standard boilers run ~80% AFUE; premium condensing units reach 95–98%.
Sources
- This Old House — boiler replacement cost (installed $4,500–$10,000+; ~$2,000 labor add-on; 30–50 BTU/h per sq ft)
- Fixr — new boiler installation cost (average $6,100, most pay $3,000–$8,500; fuel, type, and BTU tables)
- Bob Vila — residential boiler prices (average $5,678, typical $3,624–$8,061; unit only $2,700–$7,700)
Figures gathered 2026-10-24 from pages fetched live 2026-10-22; see dataset notes in portfolio/research/msrpguide/dataset-boiler-replacement-2026-10-22.md for the full source log. Angi/HomeGuide figures are bot-walled and were not used.