A boiler is a heating unit that can utilize hot water to provide you with heating for your home, and sometimes with hot water through your sinks, showers, etc. Residential boilers are able to last between 15 and 20 years, but every unit will reach the end of its lifespan one day. At that time, when residential boiler repair and maintenance are becoming too frequent and costly, you will have to look for replacement options. But how much does it cost? But what makes up the cost of a new boiler? Should you go with a combi boiler or a steam boiler? A gas boiler or an electric boiler?
While the average boiler replacement cost is between $5,000 and $8,000, the boiler price ranges dramatically depending on things like the type of boiler. That is why it is important to take multiple different factors into account before you begin this boiler replacement project. In today’s article, we will break down all of the different things that go into the boiler cost. We are going to go over the signs that you may need a boiler replacement, all of the different factors involved with the cost of a new boiler, and finally, ways you can save money on boiler replacement costs.
Before getting into the boiler installation cost, it is important to know the specific red flags that indicate the need for boiler replacement. Your home’s heating system is important, and there are some cases where a problem may amount to nothing more than a minor boiler repair or a new heat exchanger, and ideally, you do want to maintain and repair your boiler for as long as possible before jumping into a new boiler installation. These are the biggest indicators that it is time for a new boiler unit:
If you are noticing any of the above signs, then it is a good idea to begin thinking about boiler replacement.
Below are all of the various pieces that make up the total of a boiler replacement cost. All of these different aspects of boiler cost will vary in cost from person to person, depending on the situation.
How big a boiler you get will have to depend on the size of your living space. Boiler capacity is determined through British thermal units, though you can also find the appropriate-sized boiler for your home by calculating the square footage of your home. How well your home is insulated will play a factor in boiler cost as well, since you may need a boiler capacity that is stronger if you lose heat easily and at a faster rate than average, and you may not need one with as strong a capacity if you have a very well-insulated and energy-efficient house.
One of the first steps when getting a new boiler and beginning to calculate boiler costs is to figure out what type of boiler you will need. There are many different types of boilers that will vary in installation costs. A boiler type is determined by how it heats and stores water. You can heat your home usually with either hot water or steam when it comes to boilers.
Conventional boilers store water in one tank for heated water and another tank for cold water waiting to be heated. They are typically better for larger homes because of their capacity to heat so much water, but only for radiant heat systems. Conventional boiler replacement cost can range from $2,000 to $7,000.
A system boiler is in between a conventional boiler and a combi boiler. A system boiler will heat water as it enters the unit and can store the heated water. A system boiler can provide you with both hot water supply and heating. The average price range for system boilers is $3,000 to $5,500.
A combination or “combi” boiler will again be a combination of a boiler and water heater. Combi boilers are better suited to smaller homes because a combi boiler heats water as it comes into the unit. These combination boilers also have no hot water storage tank. Combi boilers typically cost anywhere from $2,000 to $10,000.
Hot water boilers provide radiant heat at a lower temperature than other systems, and they can sometimes be used as hot water heaters as well. The average costs of hot water boilers usually fall between $1,200 and $8,000.
Steam boilers heat water until it becomes steam before sending it through the radiator system of the home for radiant heating through floors and walls. These are also better suited to larger homes and buildings and range from $2,500 to $9,000.
Noncondensing boilers are considered traditional boilers, and they vent heat exhaust from the fuel they use to protect the boiler flue. Condensing boilerswill use this exhaust heat as part of how they function. A noncondensing boiler will usually be between $1,200 and $5,000, while condensing boilers are closer to $1,900 and $7,000.
The price of different fuel types will also vary and contribute to the overall boiler cost. The fuel type is what type of power a boiler utilizes in order to provide heating and/or hot water to your home.
Electric boilerswill be less powerful and take a long time to heat up, though they are more energy efficient. They will usually be used to only heat a part of a home or as a backup source of heating for the home’s central heating system. This fuel type can cost between $1,500 and $8,000.
Oil boilerswill only be available in older models since heating oil is not a popular method of fueling any longer. Oil boilers are also more expensive because heating oil is less efficient than other methods, at $4,800 to $9,000.
Natural gas boilers and propane boilers run on natural gas, running from either the gas lines or a propane tank. Natural gas boilers will usually cost around $4,000 to $10,000, while propane boilers are closer to $3,000 to $9,000.
Lastly, wood boilersare a type of system that burns wood for heat. Wood boilers typically will be more common in rural environments and wherever people have access to lots of firewood. Wood boilers are the most expensive fuel type, between $7,000 and $16,000.
Different boiler brands will have different prices for a new boiler installation. This is when it is best to consult with a professional boiler installation team that can help you determine brands that would be better suited to your home’s specific needs. You want to pick a good-quality brand, and you also want to keep the specific heating needs of your home in mind and what capacity boiler you may need. There may be only specific types of boilers that a brand will offer, so it is important to know what you need for your home.
Here are the boiler price ranges for some of the more popular brands:
Not only does the size and specific nature of your house play a big part in determining the cost factors of your boiler replacement, but how the weather patterns are in your region can greatly effect your overall boiler installation costs. Since the capacity of a boiler is calculated from British thermal units (BTUs), the warmer the climate is, the fewer BTUs need to be used. In order to estimate the number of BTUs that would be required of a boiler to properly heat your home, it will be helpful to know exactly which climate region you are in. In areas with higher and more frequent levels of heat and humidity, you will not need a boiler with as large a capacity as someone who lives in an area with extreme winter weather.
Apart from the boiler installation itself, there is going to be the cost of the time workers spend installing it. In almost every case, you will need a professional to install your boiler. It is extremely dangerous and even illegal in some places to do the job yourself, as there are many dangerous parts involved with a boiler system, like natural gas lines, electricity, and all of the vent work. Licensed heating engineers will also typically have insurance to protect everyone involved in case something goes wrong. Overall, DIY boiler installation should most likely be avoided in all cases. Average labor costs will add an additional $75 to $200 an hour, but it is money well spent to make sure you and your home remain safe during the boiler installation process.
Apart from the cost of a new boiler, the removal of your old boiler will be another additional cost to consider when beginning the process of a new boiler installation. Again, you do not want to do this yourself, since there are hazardous parts involved that are best left to a licensed professional to handle. The average costs for boiler removal will vary based on how complicated the job is. Removing an electrical unit will be easier than removing a gas one, since you will have to carefully disconnect gas lines when taking out a gas boiler. Depending on how old the unit is, it could effect the boiler cost more as well, since boilers older than 50 years have extreme safety measures that have to be utilized when removing them.
There could be a number of extra costs here and there, depending on your current situation. Things like permits, installing ductwork, insulation, maintenance, and upgrades or repairs for things like gas lines or pipes. You may also have to replace your hot water or steam radiator system in order to put in a new boiler. There may be multiple steps you have to take, especially if your new boiler installation is a different model and fuel type than your existing boiler. If you have to upgrade or repair multiple other parts of your home in order to accommodate the new boiler model, that will, of course, come with some additional costs.
All of these boiler installation prices can get overwhelming and possibly keep you from taking the step to replace your old boiler. But what are some ways you can save on boiler replacement costs?
Boiler prices can be intimidating at first, but if you have been noticing one of the signs that your boiler is failing, it is important to be thinking about boiler replacement, which could be a better financial option than spending money on frequent and costly boiler repairs. Having a functioning heating system in your home is important, and letting a faulty boiler continue to deteriorate can be dangerous. It is important to get the job done professionally so that you can be sure that the job is done right.
You can call a professional company like John Owens Services to assist you with getting your boiler installed. We are experts with residential boilers, and we can help you accurately determine which type of boiler is going to be best for your home, as well as make sure that you have a safe and seamless installation process. We know boiler costs can be confusing, and we are more than happy to help you along every step of the way, whether it is a combi boiler, system boiler, or any kind of unit you have or want installed. We can also guarantee to leave your home in as good of condition as when we arrived by patching up any wall or floor we take apart to work and making sure hazardous things like gas lines are handled with expert caution and care. You can call to schedule with us at any time, and we can provide a free estimate of boiler costs for any type of boiler replacement job.
There are many things that go into a boiler installation cost, but there are also multiple ways you can make up for any steep boiler prices you face. While boiler replacement cost is something that needs to be researched and taken into careful account, the most important thing is to get a boiler that is right for your home and have professional assistance every step of the way. There are differences between combi boilers, system boilers, and oil boilers that are important to note, just as there are differences with natural gas and electric boilers. Follow the steps in this article to make sure you are getting the most out of your boiler replacement and have the knowledge about each boiler system to make the most cost-effective and energy-efficient choice.
Our philosophy is simple, we always want to maintain equipment to give it the longest life possible. Next, we want to focus on repairing when something goes wrong. Then only as the last choice, we replace equipment when needed. That’s the John Owens Way.
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