Shopping for a new boiler can be a tricky and expensive business. Not only do you have to act fast if you don’t want to face a frosty future with no heating and hot water, but you also have to wade through the tonne of options available on the market in order to find the best boiler for your needs and budget. To help you make sense of it all, our boiler experts have put together this handy new boiler cost guide that covers absolutely everything you need to know before buying your new boiler. The article covers everything from new boiler costs to installation and labour costs, as well as any additional extras you should look out for, so get comfortable and read on!
How Much Does a New Boiler Cost?
The cost of a new boiler varies widely depending on several factors, including the type of boiler you need, whether you want to move your new boiler to a new location (e.g. basement to cellar), convert one type to another (e.g. heat only boiler to combi boiler) or you need any extras (such as filters and smart heat controls). Of course, where you live and who you hire for the installation job also affects the cost of a new boiler.
Boiler Installation Cost
When it comes to the cost of boiler installation specifically, what matters most is how long it will take for your gas engineer to complete it. Here are some rough numbers you can work with if you live in the UK:
- For a one day installation, you can expect to pay anywhere between £200 to £500
- For a two day installation, the price is higher and can be as low as £400 or as high as £800
- For a three day installation, you can expect to pay a minimum of £600 and a maximum of £1000
Normally, a boiler installation takes about a day, but there are instances where two or even three days might be necessary, so it’s important to be prepared just in case.
Boiler Replacement Cost
The cost of a boiler replacement largely depends on two things: the installation and labour cost plus the cost of a new boiler. As mentioned, there are other things to think about as well, but these two factors are the most important. With that in mind, it’s not a good idea to focus on the cost of a new boiler only; you have to account for the installation and labour costs as well. So, while you may be able to find a cheap boiler for around £600, bear in mind that this is the price without the installation costs. If you decide to get a boiler quote from an energy supplier like British Gas, for example, you may have to pay around £1,000 more than you would someplace else, in which case, the boiler replacement cost won’t be £600 but around £1,600 (more on boiler prices by type and fuel later on!).
The conclusion? Always factor in the cost of the boiler installation along with the boiler price when calculating your boiler replacement costs.
Repair vs. Replace
Before we get into the specifics of boiler replacement costs, let’s tackle the most obvious question first: do you even need to replace your old boiler or can it be repaired?
In most cases, replacing a boiler is only necessary for the following three scenarios:
- the boiler has failed completely
- the repairs are unpredictable
- the repairs are uneconomical
In essence, the boiler should be replaced if it has broken down completely or if repairing it is not cost-effective long-term. So, if your old boiler is still working well or can be fixed easily, there’s no need to purchase a new one unless you want to. However, there’s an exception to this rule – even if your boiler is working well but it is very old (between 15 and 20 years), it’s advisable to replace it. Ancient boilers have a much higher chance of failing unexpectedly than newer units, which could leave you without heating and hot water; this is an inconvenient experience at all times but can be especially dreadful during the cold winter months.
Aside from the three most obvious and important reasons for boiler replacement we mentioned above, there can be other reasons why you may want to invest in a new boiler. Here are some of them.
Parts no longer available
If your boiler is older than 15 years, finding the replacement parts can sometimes be next to impossible. Often, manufacturers will discontinue certain non-essential and sometimes even essential parts for older models, making the cost of repair extraordinarily expensive or not possible. In this case, it’s advisable to invest in a new boiler.
Unreliable performance
Very old boilers tend to have unreliable performance; they may work well for a few weeks, but then they’ll start having pressure problems or other issues for several days. Once repaired, they’ll work fine for a while but will soon experience problems again. If this is the case with your old boiler, do consider investing in a new one because not only is this likely to be more economical long-term but also because your old unit may just fail completely one day, leaving you without heating and hot water. Not to mention, very old boilers can be dangerous as there is a greater risk of a gas leak and exposure to carbon monoxide.
Efficiency no longer good enough
Most old boilers have a low-efficiency rating, meaning they use more energy to heat water than is necessary (in other words, they’re inefficient), resulting in higher heating and energy bills. New boilers, on the other hand, are not only safer but also more energy-efficient and can greatly help lower your bills, helping you save money long-term. As a bonus, with a new boiler, you’ll lower your carbon emissions and therefore reduce your impact on the environment.
More household members
Whether you’re planning to start or expand your family or are getting new tenants, it’s more than likely you’ll need a bigger boiler. If your old boiler is on the smaller size, it won’t be able to produce enough hot water to heat all your radiators nor will it have enough hot water for you all to enjoy your hot showers. To prevent these problems (which can be especially uncomfortable during winter), we recommend buying a new boiler with a higher output.
Boiler Costs by Fuel Type
- Oil
Over 1 million homes in the UK use an oil boiler, accounting for about 25% of all off-grid properties. As the name suggests, this type of boiler uses oil as its fuel, which unlike gas, is delivered by road and then stored in a tank which you can either buy for yourself or rent from your supplier. While a very reliable fuel, heating oil is more expensive than gas, averaging around 5.5p per kWh.
Oil boiler costs vary depending on the type, size and brand. Combi boilers range from about £2,200 to £2,950, system boilers from £1,600 to £2,600, while heat-only boilers can range between £1,200 to £2,500. Obviously, the price of the boiler itself, as well as the installation, will depend not only on the type of boiler you choose but also on its size, the number of hours that the heating engineer will have to spend on the installation, and whether you need any extras. Typically, the prices vary anywhere from £500 to £2,000 for the labour and installation. So, in total, a new boiler replacement cost (including installation) can vary from around £2,500 to £4,500.
- Gas
Around 22.5 million homes in the UK work on mains gas, meaning the vast majority of properties get their boiler fuel delivered via an underground pipe network. Gas is a fossil fuel and an affordable one at that; in fact, gas is one of the cheapest fuels you can get for home heating. The average price is around 3 to 4p per kWh, making it the cheapest fuel after coal and wood chip.
A new combi boiler can cost anywhere between £1,500 to £3,500 pounds, including installation. Of course, the total cost will depend on multiple factors, including the brand and size of the boiler, complexity of the installation, whether you’re relocating the unit, need any extras, etc. As for system and regular boiler replacement cost, the prices vary from £1,500 to £3,000, including installation.
- Propane
As with oil boilers, with LPG or propane systems you have your fuel delivered to you and stored in a tank. However, unlike oil, LPG fuel produces less carbon emissions so it’s better for the environment, but on the downside, it is pricier (around 6.75p per kWh). This being said, LPG is more efficient, so you might even find your heating bills reduce if you’ve previously owned an oil boiler.
A new LPG boiler can cost anywhere between £600 to £2,500, depending on the brand, model, size, etc. Remember, you will also need an LPG tank which can be stored either below or above ground, depending on your available space. Installation costs vary based on the location of the boiler and tank, any extras you need, etc., however, the price is typically similar to that of a mains gas boiler.
- Electric
Electric boilers are similar to gas and oil boilers, but since they don’t burn fuel, they don’t have a flue. Perfect for properties without gas and people who wish to significantly lower their carbon footprint (no fuel-burning means no polluting), electric boilers are the future. But what about the costs?
While the running costs of electric boilers are higher than that of gas, at least there are little to no additional costs you have to consider. For example, with a gas combi boiler, you have to pay for the yearly gas certificate, which you naturally don’t need with an electric boiler. Likewise, electric boilers are more durable and efficient, so not only do the repairs decrease but so do the heating bills. As for the concrete numbers, the average cost of an electric boiler ranges between £1,500 for a small model and £2,500 for a bigger one. Premium models are much more expensive though and can go as high as £4,500.
- Outdoor Wood (Biomass)
Wood is another type of fuel that is readily available in rural areas that are not connected to gas networks. Aside from logs, these boiler stoves can also run on wood pellets and chips. One of the best things about outdoor wood boilers is the cost of running them – natural firewood is a secure and affordable fuel type that is practically never subject to price fluctuations (wood chips are the cheapest fuel, while the pellets are the priciest; logs are typically somewhere in the middle in terms of price).
The bad news is that the total cost of a biomass boiler is usually pretty high. For instance, a smaller domestic biomass boiler starts at around £5,000, while the average total cost (installation included) of an automatically-fed pellet boiler ranges between £10,000 and £20,000. The prices vary widely based on many factors, including the output size, biomass storage capacity, installation costs, etc.
Boiler Prices by Type
So, when it comes down to it, how much does a new boiler cost? Unfortunately, the total cost of a boiler replacement depends on many factors so it’s not possible for us to give a precise answer. However, what we can do is give you some estimates, which you can use to compare to the quotes you’re being offered in order to see whether they’re reasonable or not.
Combi Boiler Cost
A new combi boiler can cost anywhere between £1,600 to £3,500, including the boiler installation costs. Wondering why prices vary so widely? Well, there are various boiler brands, types, and sizes to choose from, as well as warranty lengths. Of course, how simple or complex the installation is also plays a big role, and so does your location (London is typically the most expensive), the company you choose to install your new boiler, whether you need to move it, and so on.
This all being said, you can expect to pay around £1,800 to £2,000 for a mid-range combi boiler that comes with a long warranty (around 10 years). Bear in mind that this is the (new boiler) cost for a combi for combi swap; if you’re converting another type of boiler to a combi boiler, the installation cost will naturally be higher.
System Boiler Cost
The price of a system boiler replacement is typically similar to that of a combi boiler, so ranging between £1,800 and £3,000. The final cost depends on multiple factors, including, of course, the boiler brand, size and warranty length, the complexity of installation, additional pumps/valves, etc.
While the average price of a new system boiler replacement is around £1,800 and £2,000, the costs are much higher if you’re replacing another type of boiler for a new system boiler. For instance, if you’re swapping your small old combi boiler for a new system boiler because you’re expanding your house, you should be prepared to pay between £4,000 to £5,000 for the full installation.
Heat Only (Regular or Conventional) Boiler Cost
Consisting of a boiler, a separate hot water tank and a cold water tank, heat only or regular boilers are best suited for larger properties with 3+ bathrooms.
If you already have hot and cold water tanks and are looking for a new boiler only, the price starts at £1,700 for budget boilers and goes up to £2,200 for premium boilers with great warranties (both price tags include boiler installation). The final price depends not only on the brand and model, but also on the complexity of installation. For example, if you’re simply replacing an existing heat only boiler with a new one in the same location, the total price (boiler plus installation) is around £1,700, but if you’re fitting it in a new location, the total price is closer to £2,200 or above, depending on the installation company you choose to hire.
Boiler Costs by Brand
Now that we’ve covered the basics of boiler replacement costs, let’s take a look at some of the popular manufactures and their offers. Before we get into the specifics, it’s good to know that on average, boiler prices range from around £500 to £3,000, excluding the installation costs. Of course, it’s possible to find cheaper models as well as pricier ones from other brands, so do keep in mind that when calculating your expenses.
Worcester Bosch
Price ranges between £750 to £3,600
With a reputation for producing exceptionally reliable and energy-efficient gas and oil boilers, Worcester Bosch is one of the biggest and most popular boiler manufacturers in the UK. . In fact, Worcester’s boilers perform so consistently well, that the company has won multiple Which? Best Buy awards, which are based on independent customer ratings.
Worcester Bosch boilers are also highly versatile, coming in the form of combination boilers, system boilers and regular boilers, so you’re pretty much guaranteed to be able to find the right size and model for your home. These boilers can also be fitted with magnetic central heating filters, which we highly recommend as they help prevent sludge buildup, prolonging the ‘health’ of your central heating system.
- Combi gas boiler price range: from around £767 to £2,400.
- System gas boiler price range: around £1,056 to £3,600
- Regular gas boiler price range: around £760 to £1,850
- Combi oil boiler price range: from around £2,200 to £2,500
- System oil boiler price range: £1,600 to £2,500
- Regular oil boiler price range: £1,400 to £2,270
Viessmann
Price ranges between £794 and £6,188
Viessmann is a German boiler manufacturer that is internationally renowned for its precise and reliable engineering and design. Built on cutting-edge technology, these boilers are truly some of the best ones that the heating industry market has to offer.
Thanks to their reliable and simple but precise engineering, Viessmann boilers have won multiple awards, including the German Design Award and Red Dot Award. Available in a range of sizes and types, these boilers suit most, if not all, homes. They also come with a comprehensive warranty, which is always a great plus.
- Combi gas boiler price range: starting from £844 to £6,188
- System gas boiler price range: from around £1,013 to 1,444
- Open vent gas boiler price range: £795 to £1,358
Vaillant
Price ranges between £720 and £2,800
Vaillant is another German boiler brand that is best known for producing some of the most efficient and environmentally-friendly boilers. As one of the oldest leaders in the heating market, Vaillant develops its range of combi, system and regular boilers, all built from top-quality materials by some of the best engineers in the world.
Of course, quality and efficiency come at a price, so these boilers are far from cheap. However, they’re not highly expensive either and are certainly cheaper than Worcester and Viessmann boilers. If you’re looking for a new mid-range boiler, Vaillant is a great choice.
- Combi gas boiler prices: from around £850 to £1,920
- System gas boiler prices: from around £780 to £2,800
- Regular gas boiler prices: from around £720 to 1,520
Baxi
Price ranges between £569 and £1,200
Founded in 1866 in the UK, Baxi is one of the oldest and largest boiler manufacturers in the whole of Europe. Focused on innovation and efficiency, this brand consistently produces boilers that are reliable, energy-saving, and most of all, cost-effective.
With a diverse boiler range to choose from, including combi, system, heat-only and LPG boilers, Baxi offers heating solutions for practically all households. While they may not have the reputation or popularity of Worcester Bosch or Viessmann, Baxi boilers are undeniably good-quality products that you can’t go wrong with, especially if you’re on a budget.
- Combi gas boiler price range: from around £620 to £1,060
- System gas boiler price range: around £640 to £1,130
- Regular gas boiler price range: around £569 to £985
- LPG boiler price range: £600 to £780
FAQ:
When should you replace your boiler?
Unless your boiler has completely broken down (in which case you should replace it as soon as possible!), there are no set rules on how often you should replace your boiler. In other words, if your boiler is getting on in age but it’s still working well, there’s no need to replace it. Likewise, if your boiler occasionally suffers a fault code but can be repaired for a reasonable price, there may be no need to buy a new boiler.
This all being said, it’s recommended to start setting money aside for a new boiler once your old unit passes the 10-year mark. While quality boilers do work for 15 years or longer when well-maintained and yearly serviced, the older a boiler gets, the less efficient and reliable is becomes.
How long should a new boiler last?
While the longevity and efficiency of a boiler depends on many things, including the boiler brand, model, type, how well and often it is maintained, etc., on average, modern boilers are built to last around 10 to 15 years.
To ensure your boiler lasts as long as possible, you should get it serviced once a year by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Not only will this service ensure your boiler is in good working order and is safe to use, but it will also ensure your warranty stays valid.
Can a plumber install a boiler?
While plumbers may be experienced in a wide range of plumbing, including leaky pipes, dishwasher installation, etc., most are not qualified to work on boilers, especially gas boilers. To be qualified to install and work on a gas boiler, a person has to be Gas Safe registered. In other words, while your plumber can work on your heating system, including pipework and radiators, they cannot and should not work on gas pipes or the boiler.
So, for a new boiler installation, boiler repairs, gas leaks, gas pipe repairs, and heating control installations, you want a gas engineer. For simpler radiator changes, thermostatic radiator valve fittings, power flushes, etc., you want a plumber. Of course, if your plumber happens to also be Gas Safe registered, they can work on your gas boiler as well. However, please keep in mind that this should not be expected as standard.
How much does it cost to convert from a regular boiler to a combi boiler?
Converting a regular boiler to a combi boiler is a complex process as it involves removing the old boiler and hot water cylinder, fully upgrading the pipework either to the existing or new location, and finally installing the new boiler. This is a lot of work, so the installation can take two to three days and may even need to be carried out by not one gas engineer but several. As a result, the conversion is quite expensive.
Aside from paying for your new combi boiler (around £1,800 to £2,000 for a mid-range option), you’ll also need to pay between £800 and £1,300 for the labour cost, depending on the complexity of the job and the boiler installation company you hire (British Gas installations are typically more expensive than the competitors so keep that in mind).
Are labour costs included in the new boiler installation costs?
Normally yes, but it’s worth noting that this depends on the installation company, so it’s good to check. Bear in mind that the labour costs are typically much higher with big national energy suppliers such as British Gas than they are with smaller companies like Warmzilla. This is because the former have higher overheads to cover. Another thing to keep in mind is the complexity of the installation – as we mentioned, a simple swap such as an old combi boiler for a new combi boiler (which usually lasts between 4 to 8 hours) will be far less labour than, for example, a back boiler conversion (which may last up to two days). Naturally, the latter will cost more.
In any case, if you’re planning to get a new boiler soon, don’t look at the prices of boilers only – make sure to check out the boiler installation cost and whether this includes labour costs too. Our advice? Always get multiple boiler quotes!