Replacing a boiler is something most homeowners will need to do at some point. As it’s such a significant investment, deciding to replace a boiler can be a dread-worthy experience.
The vast variety of boilers available also can prove a challenge.
Our guide aims to help you choose a reliable and cost-efficient boiler. We take a look at the cost of buying a new boiler, including how much different types of boilers cost, what affects the cost of replacing a boiler, how to save money and the best way to find a heating engineer.
How Much Does a New Boiler Cost?
Our table below looks at the different boiler types available on the market, along with their estimated supply cost.
| BOILER TYPE | ESTIMATED SUPPLY COST |
|---|---|
| Gas Combi Boiler | £560 to £2,600 |
| Conventional or Regular (Heat Only) Boilers | £660 to £3,000 |
| System Boilers | £720 to £2,900 |
| Oil Boilers | £1,600 to £3,400 |
| LPG Boilers | £850 to £2,450 |
| Electric Boilers | £650 to £2,600 |
| Biomass Boilers | £4,000 to £25,000 |
A gas combi boiler is likely to be the most affordable type of boiler, priced at between £560 to £2,600.
A conventional or regular (heat only) boiler is estimated to cost between £660 and £3,000.
System boilers are estimated to cost between £720 and £2,900.
Oiler boilers are estimated to cost between £1,600 and £3,400.
LGP boilers are slightly more affordable and priced between £850 and £2,450.
Electric boilers are estimated to cost between £650 and £2,600.
By far the most expensive boiler type is the biomass boiler, which is estimated to cost between £4,000 to £25,000. However, if you live in England or Wales, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme could help you save up to £5,000 on the cost of installing a biomass boiler.
If you hire an independent heating engineer to install your new boiler, you can expect to pay anywhere from £30 to £60 per hour or £240 to £480 per day.
Most boilers can be installed in one day.
The job may take more than one day if you’re planning on moving the location of your boiler and need additional pipework, or if you want to convert your existing boiler to a different type (such as converting a system boiler to a combi boiler).
If you’re hoping to replace your boiler, we can help you find qualified and professional tradespeople to help you with the job!
What Affects the Cost of Buying a New Boiler?
Several factors are likely to impact the cost of purchasing a new boiler. We take a look at these facts below so you know what to keep in mind when it comes to buying a new boiler.
The Type of Boiler and Output
One of the main factors impacting the final cost of a new boiler is the type of boiler you choose. As you can see from the table above, different types of boilers come with different prices.
Gas Combi Boilers
Combi boilers are one of the most popular boiler types in the UK. Unlike conventional boilers, they don’t need a hot water tank to work.
Combi boilers heat water directly from the mains supply, and it’s this instant heating of your mains water that gives homeowners as much hot water as they want on demand.
Combi boilers typically cost between £560 to £2,600. You can find out more about gas combi boilers and their costs by reading our dedicated guide.
Conventional or Regular (Heat Only) Boilers
These types of boilers will need a hot water cylinder to work correctly. If you purchase a boiler you will need to have the cylinder already installed or pay the additional costs for the installation of a cylinder.
These boilers are great for homes that have high hot water demands. They typically cost between £660 to £3,000.
System Boilers
Similar to a convention or regular boiler, system boilers work best for large households that have at least two bathrooms and storage space for a hot water tank or cylinder. These boilers do not require a cold-water storage tank.
They typically cost between £720 to £2,900. You can learn more about system boilers by reading our dedicated guide on them here.
Oil Boilers
Oil boilers are more expensive to purchase and instal than gas or electric boilers. Oil boilers are energy efficient as they heat water on demand and have significantly reduced running costs in comparison to electric boilers.
These boilers are ideal for properties that don’t have access to a mains gas supply and can also be used alongside renewable energy heaters.
They typically cost between £1,600 to £3,400. To learn more about the costs of oil boilers, take a look at our dedicated page.
LPG Boilers
LPG stands for liquid petroleum gas and are great boilers for properties that may be a little off the grid. This type of boiler will require you to have your fuel delivered to your property and it will need to be safely stored there.
You will need to hire a Gas Safe tradesperson to fit a new LPG boiler.
They typically cost between £850 to £2,450. If you’d like to learn more about LPG boilers, then you can take a look at our dedicated page.
Electric Boilers
Electric boilers are perfect for smaller sized homes that have less demand for hot water and limited storage space. Electric boilers are known to be a greener solution than other boilers as they don’t release any carbon emissions.
They do, however, have higher running costs are electricity is more expensive than gas. This can lead to higher energy bills with electric boilers.
They typically cost between £650 to £2,600. You can learn more about electric boilers by reading our guide.
Biomass Boilers
A biomass boiler is the most expensive boiler option of the lot, though it is also the most environmentally friendly. There are a few different types of biomass boiler available, including a log boiler, wood chip boiler or pellet boiler.
These types of boilers are estimated to cost between £4,000 to £25,000. If you’d like to learn more about installing a biomass boiler, make sure to read through our guide.
The State of Your Current Heating System
If your current heating system is not up to scratch, it could mean you need to pay a little more when you have your new boiler installed.
Needing a new flue or plume kit, new pipework, or new radiators can all increase the cost of installation.
A small radiator can cost between £170 to £190 whereas a large radiator could end up costing between £335 to £370. Make sure to take consider the cost of new radiators and add this to your budget if you think your current ones are working as they should.
If You Plan to Move Your Boiler
The simplest and most cost-effective installation is a like-for-like boiler in the original location. If you want to move your boiler this is going to markedly increase the cost of installation.
This is because moving a boiler placement requires more pipework and possible disturbance to the structure of the home and can cost anywhere from £190 to £310.
Boiler Maintenance and Servicing
Hopefully, you have already been keeping on top of your boiler maintenance and have been having an annual service. These are vital processes that will keep your boiler in good working condition and lower your chance of having a breakdown.
If you think or have been informed by a professional, that your boiler requires a clean, then this will usually mean either a chemical flush or magnetic cleanse to remove sludge from your heating system.
This can cost between £300 to £650 depending on the number of radiators in your property and the cleaning method you choose. Take a look at our guide to know if you need to powerflush your heating system.
You can also opt to have a magnetic filter installed for £60 to £120 each to try and keep your boiler and heating system in good condition.
If You Need to Replace Your Hot Water Cylinder
Replacing your hot water cylinder is another factor that could increase your final cost. Hot water cylinders only tend to be replaced if they are leaking or if you need to upgrade to a bigger one to keep up with the hot water demands of your property.
There are two types of hot water cylinders across the UK – vented and unvented cylinders – and the type you have will impact the cost. You could pay anywhere from £165 to £1,300 to replace your cylinder.
Find out more about hot water cylinders and their costs by reading our dedicated guide.
Upgraded Heating Controls
As more homes switch to eco-friendly heating systems, smart thermostats have become a huge addition to the heating market. These devices significantly reduce energy waste as well as make controlling the heating of your home more accessible.
The most commonly known smart thermostats are Hive (manufactured by British Gas) and Nest which incorporates Google technology.
Use our handy page to find out which thermostat is more affordable and best for your home.
How Can I Save Money on a New Boiler?
The least expensive way to pay for a new boiler is to pay for it upfront, as you won’t have any interest fees attached that will increase the final price.
However, this isn’t a feasible option for many people. In this case, you can consider purchasing a new boiler through finance. There are many different companies providing boilers on finance and you can compare rates between them to find the best deal for you.
Make sure to compare interest rates as well as the item cost.
Explore boiler grants through the Energy Companies Obligation. To be eligible, you must receive certain benefits and live in a home that meets certain property criteria.
Our guide covers everything regarding free boiler grants.
You should also avoid relocating your boiler where possible, as this is an extremely costly job that will make the total cost of installation much more expensive.
If you can’t avoid the cost of a new boiler, there are still some ways you can keep your heating bills down. There’s little point in purchasing an expensive but efficient boiler if the heat easily escapes your home.
Make sure your property is well insulated and this will help to keep the bills from a new boiler down.
Remember, the installation of a new boiler is not a DIY job. To instal a new boiler you need to be on the Gas Safe Register to ensure the job is completed safely and properly.
Use HouseholdQuotes to search between and compare quotes from qualified heating engineers who can help you with the installation of your new boiler.
What Type of Boiler Should I Choose?
This is one of the biggest questions that need to be answered when choosing a new boiler. We’ve broken down the advantages and disadvantages of different types of boilers in the table below.
| BOILER TYPE | ADVANTAGES | DISADVANTAGES |
|---|---|---|
| Gas Combi Boilers | -Cheaper heating bills -Faster water on demand -Simple to service |
-Reliant on good water pressure -No water tank so if it fails no hot water will be stored |
| Conventional or Regular (Heat Only) Boilers | -Great for larger properties -Great for high demand for hot water |
-Insulation may be required to keep tank hot -Space needed for cylinder |
| System Boilers | -Hot water is always available -Affordable to run -Can run bath and shower at the same time |
– Insulation may be required to keep tank hot -Not cleanest supply of hot water -Space needed for cylinder |
| Oil Boilers | -Extremely energy efficient -Running costs lower than electric boilers -Good for houses with no access to mains gas |
-Hot water takes longer to heat up -Not environmentally friendly -Oil prices will continue to rise |
| LPG Boilers | -Cleaner than other fossil fuels -Can use with conventional gas heating systems -Great efficiency |
-You will need to be responsible for ordering in the fuel before you run out -You will need space for storage tank |
| Electric Boilers | -Low installation costs -Low maintenance -Won’t become outdated like oil or gas |
-Higher running costs -Less hot water -Only suited for smaller homes |
| Biomass Boilers | -Environmentally friendly -Stable fuel prices |
-High initial costs -Need lots of storage space -Only possible for those owning their own homes and can change systems |
What’s Involved in Replacing a Boiler?
The process will likely start with the removal of the old boiler. Depending on what current boiler system you have in place, this could be a relatively long and complex job.
The engineer will be able to let you know on the day how long they estimate the job will take.
A flush or clean of the system should then be carried out in line with British Standards. Two possible cleans could be carried out: a chemical flush or a power flush.
What type of clean your system receives depends on the condition of the system. A clean must be done before installation as this will ensure that any debris won’t damage the new boiler.
Before the new boiler can be installed the pipework needs to be checked. At this point any changes or upgrades to the pipework will be carried out – this also has the potential to be a time-consuming job.
The boiler will then be fit. Remember, if you want to change the location of your boiler this is possible but is likely to take more time and be more expensive.
If you’re having any accessories installed with the boiler, such as a system filter, a control, filling loops or flue, these will also be fitted and installed alongside your new boiler.
The engineer will then commission your new system once everything has been installed and fitted correctly to ensure the system is functioning properly.
Once this is completed, the engineer should fill you in with all the information you need to know about your boiler and how to maintain it so that you’re as informed as you can be. The boiler installation job will then be complete and your new boiler system up and running!
How Do I Find and Hire a Heating Engineer?
At HouseholdQuotes, we can help you find an experienced, local heating engineer. To save time, we’ll help you get multiple quotes so that you can find the engineer that best suits your budget and needs.
To get started, just click the button below:
You can also seek recommendations from family, friends, and neighbours. Do you know anyone who has recently replaced their boiler and had a good experience?
You can also check the Gas Safe Register to find individuals who have all the credentials to ensure they’re safe for you to hire for your boiler replacement job.
Ensuring the Professional Is the Right Fit
It’s a good idea to make sure you have a list of questions ready to verify that the professional you are hoping to hire is the right fit for you and meets your standards. Use the questions below to make sure your professional is up to the job of installing a new boiler:
- Ask them for a written quote. Any contractor worth their salt will be happy to provide you with a written quote and this way you will get to see exactly what is included in the price.
- Ask for their experience.
- For their references. If they can provide you with references you can be sure of their ability and may even be able to see some of their previous work.
- If they have any photos of their previous work. This way you can see the quality of their previous work and be assured of their experience.
- If they and their tools are insured. This can protect you from lawsuits if they or your property is damaged when they come to your home.
- For extra peace of mind make sure to ask if there is a manufacturer’s guarantee.
Final Checklist
Are you ready to replace your boiler? Here is our final checklist to make sure everything is taken care of when taking on this project:
- Check your warranty: are you eligible for a free upgrade from your existing boiler provider?
- Are you eligible for a free boiler through the government scheme?
- Which boiler is best for you: does a combi or system suit your family’s needs more?
- Figure out the output you need based on how many bedrooms and bathrooms you have
- Use HouseholdQuotes to find a reputable heating engineer and compare quotes to save time and money
- Check that your installer is on the Gas Safe Register and has relevant insurance before agreeing to any work.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Do Boilers Last?
In general, a boiler is expected to last between 10 and 15 years provided it has regular maintenance and undergoes annual servicing.
How Do I Know If I Really Need a New Boiler?
There are a few different signs that you may need a new boiler. The first is quite simple: how old is your boiler?
If you have an old boiler that is over 15 years old, it may be worth considering a replacement that will function better.
You should also keep an eye on how long it takes for your radiators and hot water to warm up. If it’s taking longer than usual, this could be a sign of a faulty boiler.
Similarly, if you notice your energy bills are increasing, it may be because the boiler is past its prime and no longer efficiently heating the home.
Remember, that replacing your boiler could be more energy efficient, thereby saving you money and reducing your monthly energy bills. According to the Energy Savings Trust, switching from an oil boiler to an A-rated gas boiler could save you anywhere from £105 to £190 in Britain, or between £65 and £145 in Northern Ireland.
How Do I Get a Free Boiler?
The Energy Companies Obligation Scheme provides low-income households with energy-efficient boilers either free of charge or at a sizeable discount.
Our dedicated guide informs you of who is eligible for a free boiler and what you need to do to qualify.
How Much Does It Cost to Convert a Regular Boiler to a Combi Boiler?
This is quite a common request for UK homeowners. It is estimated to cost between £2,000 to £4,500.
Do I Need Boiler Cover?
Boiler cover offers peace of mind and ensures you know who to call to get any boiler problems fixed as soon as possible. Many companies and manufacturers offer boiler cover, and we outline the best plans from the top providers in our dedicated guide.
Can a Plumber Install a Boiler?
No, a boiler must be installed by a Gas Safe heating engineer.
What Is a Condensing Boiler?
A condensing boiler uses heat from the exhaust flue gas and uses it to hear the central heating water. This makes it vastly more efficient than older boilers.
