How Much Does It Cost to Repair a Boiler?

If you use hot water or steam to heat your home, then you rely heavily on your boiler each winter to keep that system working. Like any appliance, boilers break down from time to time. Parts become worn, or issues arise that cause your boiler to stop working properly. When this happens, it is important to have your boiler repaired as soon as possible to ensure it keeps heating your home and prevent bigger, more expensive problems down the road.

There are many types of boiler systems, and numerous things that can go wrong with them. This means that there is a wide range of costs associated with repairing a boiler. The national average is $300 - $1,700, with most people paying around $900 to repair or replace a circulator pump and related parts and valves.

Boiler Repair Cost

Boiler Repair Service Call Fees

Like many appliances, when a boiler breaks or malfunctions, it may be caused by many things, some of them serious and others easily fixed by the homeowner. For this reason, many HVAC companies that service boilers have a service call fee, meaning that if they arrive and discover that the problem is a minor fix done in minutes, they still charge the service call fee. In most cases, if the problem is more extensive and you agree to the work or to a replacement, they waive the service call fee.

This fee ranges from $90 - $200 just to come to your home. To avoid the service call and save money, troubleshoot the problems carefully ahead of time, such as making sure it is not the thermostat or fuel line.

Boiler Repair Hourly Rate

Most HVAC professionals who work on boilers charge for their repairs in one of two ways - a flat fee for a specific problem or an hourly rate plus the cost of materials and parts. This second way is more transparent, so many companies present you with an itemized bill at the end of the job so that you see where your money went.

Keep in mind that repairs charged by the hour are sometimes more expensive than a flat rate. You might also have a range of hourly rates from $50 - $200 an hour, depending on how many people are needed and the repair complexity.

Boiler Repair Costs by Problem

Your boiler is made up of many different parts and components. Sometimes, a specific issue is easy to pinpoint. Other times, the problem has multiple causes, and the only way to tell the cost of your repair is to have a technician identify the problem. Below are some of the common issues along with the average cost range to repair them.

Hissing, Clanging, Gurgling, or Whistling Noises

It is very common for boilers to make noise when they start up. If you continue to hear noise after it gets going, there may be a problem. If you have a radiator, attempt to bleed off any air in the system at the radiator by turning the valve and waiting until water comes to the surface before shutting it again.

If you do not have a radiator or bleeding it does not fix the problem, you likely have kettling or limescale buildup or mineral deposits in the pipes. In this case, flush the system. The average boiler flush cost is $240 - $450, depending on the size of your system.

Radiators Not Heating or Heating Unevenly

If your boiler appears to be working, but your radiators do not get hot or are warm at the bottom but cold at the top, there may be several problems causing this. It might be air in the system, mineral deposits in the line, or rust in the line. The most common solution is to flush the boiler at a cost of $240 to $450.

Boiler Keeps Turning Off

If your boiler keeps turning off right after you turn it on, this may be caused by many issues, including low boiler pressure, a broken thermostat, or faulty pipes, valves, or circulator pump. Your HVAC technician may need to examine multiple areas to find the problem. Fixing it costs between $250 and $635 on average.

Low Boiler Pressure or No Pressure

Your boiler has a pressure gauge on it showing the tank pressure. It needs pressure to push the water or steam through the system. If you have no or low pressure, your boiler gives you a warning and may not work. This is caused by a water leak or faulty pipes, valve, or circulator pump. For this reason, there is a wide range of associated repair costs from $250 - $1,800.

Boiler Will On Turn On

If your boiler does not turn on at all, this also has several causes, including a broken thermostat, low pressure, a clogged or broken fuel line, or a frozen condensate pipe. The last cause is fixable at home by pouring boiling water on it to thaw it. Then, try the boiler again. The others have a range of associated costs from $265 - $1,800.

Leaking Water

If you see water around your boiler, it also has several causes, ranging from a broken expansion tank to a frozen condensate line. You may also have faulty valves, pipes, seals or a valve stuck in the on position. For this reason, there is a wide range of costs from $300 to $635 to fix the issue.

Cost to Replace Parts of a Boiler

Frequently, when the boiler stops working, the part in question needs to be replaced, unless this is a simple issue like flushing the pipes or thawing a frozen condensate line. So, there is a good chance that you must pay for a replacement part at the time of a repair. Below is a list of the most common boiler parts that need replacement.

Zone Valve Replacement Cost

Zone valves and drain valves are frequent sources of leaks. They also rust easily. You are likely to replace them in conjunction with other repairs because they typically fail with other areas. They cost $100 - $300 to replace.

Boiler Gas Valve Replacement Cost

The gas valve (or propane valve or oil valve) is another area that gets stuck or rusted and needs replacement. You often need to replace this in conjunction with some other work, and it costs between $100 and $300.

Ignitor Replacement Cost

If your pilot light keeps going out, then you need to replace the ignitor. This has a range of costs from $165 to $475, depending on the boiler size and brand.

Boiler Expansion Tank Replacement Cost

Your expansion tank is one of the most important parts of the boiler. If it or the diaphragm inside fails, you need to replace the entire thing to keep your boiler working. Expansion tank or boiler diaphragm replacement costs are between $225 and $635, depending on the model. The cost of replacing the expansion vessel on a combi boiler is about the same.

Boiler Fan Replacement Cost

Your fan is an important part of the boiler, helping to keep combustion going so that the boiler heats the water. Depending on the model, it costs between $250 and $500 to replace.

Boiler Pump Replacement Cost

Your circulator pump keeps water moving through the system to your radiator or your radiant heat flooring. If it fails, the water cannot get to where it needs to heat your home. The cost to replace a circulator pump is $435 - $1,800.

Tankless Coil Replacement Cost

If you have a tankless coil heating system instead of a tank, be prepared for a higher replacement cost. This coil is difficult to reach and expensive to purchase. It costs between $500 and $1,000 on average for most models.

Signs Your Boiler Needs Repairs

Generally, your boiler lets you know if it needs repairs. You may hear noise, experience uneven heating, have to turn it back on again and again, or notice a big increase in your heating bills without turning the thermostat any higher. You may also notice condensation on the exterior, leaks, water around the bottom of the boiler, or rust or corrosion on the exterior. These are all signs that your boiler needs servicing.

Boiler Repair vs Replacement

Many times, a boiler may be completely repaired to address numerous issues for under $2,500, while a new boiler costs $7,500 or more. If this is the case, repairing often makes the most sense.

It is important to keep in mind that older boilers are not as efficient as newer models. If your boiler is more than 10 years old, replacing it might save money on your energy bills each month. And, older boilers of 20 years or more might use twice as much fuel as newer boilers.

Generally, it is recommended to replace your boiler if you need more than $3,000 in repairs or if you need extensive repair and it is over 10 years old. Otherwise, repairing your boiler gets several years of use before replacement is necessary.

Boiler Service Cost

It is recommended that you have your boiler serviced at least once a year. Doing so catches problems before they start so that your boiler does not suddenly stop working one day. Service costs range from $250 - $500 a visit, depending on what it is done. A full-service tune-up, which includes the replacement of many worn valves and parts, costs up to $2,500. This often restores boilers to like-new conditions, providing many more years of use.

Boiler Inspection Cost

Service calls usually include an inspection at no cost. However, you may also call a technician to inspect your boiler if you suspect a potential issue. These inspections cost $90 to $250, depending on the length of the inspection and boiler type.

Enhancement and Improvement Costs

Replacing Parts with More Energy-efficient Options

This is not always possible, but getting a full tune-up and replacing some parts with newer energy-efficient options make your boiler more efficient, costing less each month. The cost of this service is usually around $2,500 - $3,000.

Additional Considerations and Costs

• If your boiler is over 10 years old, you may want to consider replacement rather than regular repairs.
• Boiler insurance is a good idea if you are unable to make lump sum payments for needed repairs. Check with your HVAC technician for more information.
• The time required to repair a boiler varies from an hour to two days, depending on the repair complexity. This influences the project cost.
• Many HVAC specialists offer a consultation to find the problem and cost so that you can weigh your options for repair and replacement.
• If your boiler is in a difficult-to-reach location, such as under the house, the cost of your repair may be 10% to 15% higher.
• Most repairs do not require permits, but if you make major changes to your system, you may need one. Check with your HVAC technician for more information.