How much does a new boiler cost?

Your boiler is the epicentre of your heating system, providing you and your family with warmth through your radiators and hot water via your taps, bath and shower. Therefore, replacing or buying a new boiler is one of the most important purchases you can make. 

Whether you’ve just moved into a new home that needs a new boiler, or you need to replace your current boiler, we’re here to help. 

In this guide, we explain everything you need to know about how much a new gas boiler costs, including how much different types of boilers cost to install and other factors you should be aware of if you’re in the market for a new boiler.

Things to consider before buying a new boiler

Buying a new boiler should not be a quick decision and before committing to an appliance, you need to consider a number of factors. Being aware of these things will help you to make the right decision and, ultimately, save you money, either on the initial purchase,  your energy bills, or both.

These are our top five tips for helping you buy a new boiler…

1. Choose the right type of boiler

Buying an unsuitable boiler can cause a lot of headaches. In most cases, you’ll be making a straight swap for the same type of boiler, but if you’re thinking of changing, make sure you do your research. Selecting the wrong type of boiler may result in unnecessarily expensive installation fees, costly energy bills and even a reduction in hot water pressure to your showers, bath and taps.

2. Choose the right size of boiler

As well as choosing the right type of boiler, you need to guarantee that your boiler is of adequate size and powerful enough to cope with your home’s heating and hot water demands. 

The power/size of your boiler is measured in kilowatts (kW) and will impact how quickly heat will be delivered to your taps, radiators and bath. Not enough power and you won’t get enough heat into your central heating system and hot water, too much power and your energy bills may  rise unnecessarily. 

3. Choose a reliable brand

Popular boiler brands, like Worcester Bosch, Ideal, Baxi and Vaillant are well-known and trusted for a reason, because of their reliability. These well-known brands may come at a premium compared to others, but they boast long warranties and are built to stand the test of time. 

4. Think about the warranty and aftercare services

To ensure peak performance of your boiler, it needs to be properly maintained after being installed, this includes annual servicing and other repairs, as and when required. 

To uphold the manufacturer’s warranty, you will need to arrange annual services, so it’s important that you arrange the right boiler cover.

5. Consider smart technology 

The advent of smart technology allows you to take control of the temperature of your home more easily, either through a thermostat or your smartphone or tablet. 

Discover how smart tech can make your life easier and benefit your heating bills in the smart home guides section of our blog.

How much does a new combi boiler cost?

Combi boilers are the UK's most popular boiler choice because they are efficient, compact, and affordable. 

Here is all the information you will need to decide whether a combi boiler is the right choice for your home. For a more accurate price, take a look at our guide to fitted combi boilers prices. 

The cost of a new fitted combi boiler will vary depending on the size of the home and the system needed to heat it efficiently. Other factors, like the brand of the boiler and the model, will have an effect on boiler prices too, but on average, a new combi boiler costs between £1,500 and £2,500.

How much does it cost to install a combi boiler?

The cost of installing any boiler, including a combi boiler, will depend on the type of installation. Combi boiler installation costs around £500 to £1,000 and takes around a full day to complete.

How much does a regular boiler cost? 

A regular boiler (sometimes known as a ‘heat only’ or ‘conventional’ boiler) will require additional hot and cold water tanks to be installed - making them better options for larger homes. A heat-only boiler will normally cost less than a combi boiler, starting off at around £500, but installation costs will be higher due to the required water storage tanks and additional pipework required

Heat-only boilers get their name because they provide heat only, while a hot water cylinder is required to send hot water to taps.

How much does it cost to install a regular boiler? 

Replacing a regular boiler in its existing location, will cost approximately £1000 and takes a Gas Safe registered engineer around a day to complete the works. 

How much does a system boiler cost?

System boilers can cost from £600 up to £2,500, depending on the boiler manufacturer, model and type of boiler you buy. A system boiler will normally also have an unvented hot water cylinder fitted to store hot water for later use. Both the boiler and this type of cylinder takes cold water directly from the cold mains, negating the need for a cold water storage and feed and expansion tanks in the loft.

How much does it cost to install a system boiler?

To have a system boiler installed, you can expect to pay upwards of £1,000; however, you may be charged up to £2,000. 

How much does a biomass boiler cost?

A biomass boiler can cost anywhere between £7,000 and £15,000. While most boilers generate heat using mains-fed natural gas, LPG or electricity; biomass boilers use compressed wood pellets that can be more economically sourced and burnt to generate the heating and hot water you need in your home.

How much does it cost to install a biomass boiler?

Due to their intricate design and technology, biomass boilers are expensive  to install - between £10,000 and £20,000. These high prices are offset by the low cost of the fuel pellets, but are a serious investment.

Why is boiler installation expensive? 

A well-maintained boiler will last between 10 and 15 years, typically longer than most other appliances in your home, like washing machines and cookers, etc., so you want to be sure it’s correctly installed. The time it takes to install a boiler is much longer than other appliances too, due to the complexity of a boiler and the associated pipework. 

Additionally, to install a boiler, an engineer needs to be Gas Safe registered and correctly qualified to carry out the work safely, which can come at a premium. 

Factors to consider when having a new boiler installed

Installing a boiler can be a simple process, especially if it’s a like-for-like swap, i.e. you’re replacing a combi boiler with another combi boiler. 

With that being said, there are certain factors that you need to be aware of that may make having a new boiler installed more challenging. Here are three things to consider when your new appliance is installed:

1. Your existing and new boiler systems

If you’re planning to change the type of boiler you use, e.g. swapping a system boiler for a new combi boiler, the installation process could be more complicated, disruptive, expensive and time-consuming than you expect. Before committing to having a different type of boiler fitted, speak to an expert to understand what the cost and implications may be, and also whether it’s actually viable. 

2. The complexity of the installation

Depending on the current boiler you have, even a straight swap may be difficult to install. While installing a new combi boiler is relatively straightforward, other types of boilers, like conventional boilers, will be more complex and can take longer for the engineer to carry out the work. 

3. Do you want to move the boiler? 

Moving a boiler may require extensive engineering work on the pipes in your home - increasing the cost, property disruption and time it takes to install the new boiler.

Do you need a new boiler?

On average, a boiler should last between 10 and 15 years; however, this will depend on several factors, including…

• What type of boiler it is

• The make and model of the boiler 

• How often the boiler is used

• How well the boiler is maintained

• The fuel the boiler uses, e.g. an oil or gas boiler

Having an annual boiler service is a great way to prolong its life and keep it running effectively. An annual boiler service allows a Gas Safe registered engineer to check for, and resolve, minor problems that could lead to bigger issues down the line. Another benefit to annual servicing is that it gives the heating engineer an opportunity to clean the system.

If you are experiencing problems with your boiler and regularly have to call someone out to undertake repairs, it might be time to consider getting a new appliance.

The heating engineer that attends should be able to advise whether any repairs that can be made are stop-gap measures or if they can completely resolve an issue. Frequent callouts and repairs can be as costly or even more expensive than replacement in the long run.

On the other hand, you might just be concerned about how efficiently your current boiler is running; for example, if you’ve moved into a new property or you want to keep down your energy bills.

If your boiler’s performance is poor, it takes too long to heat water or doesn't heat sufficiently to meet your needs, these are good indicators that it’s time for a new boiler. 

A boiler with poor performance will inconvenience you and your family and it will likely use energy inefficiently, leading to higher energy bills.

Another reason to replace a boiler is because of the current location of the existing boiler. Relocating a boiler can free up valuable storage space in the loft and an airing cupboard.

The benefits of buying a new boiler 

It might seem obvious, but investing in a new boiler will benefit you and your home in a number of ways. Although the initial price of buying a new boiler and having it installed is not insignificant, a newer, more economical appliance may help you save money in the long run. Here are six benefits of having a new boiler installed in your home:

1. Greater efficiency

All new boilers have specific ratings they must meet in order to be able to be manufactured and sold in the UK. They are all A-rated for efficiency, which means they are at least 90% efficient.

The efficiency increase can come from many different areas, including the type of boiler and the modern technology within the boiler itself. 

Now consider how much more efficient a brand new boiler will be when you factor in the new technology and developments that boiler manufacturers have implemented since the installation of your old boiler. 

2. Reduced heating bills 

If a combi boiler is suitable for your property, these are great for energy efficiency due to not needing to store hot water, which may otherwise be wasted. A more efficient boiler system will significantly reduce energy wastage, which will help to reduce heating bills. 

Older systems have to work harder to produce the same heat, and some won't even be able to reach the levels of new boilers. This puts a bigger strain on the old system - meaning lower energy efficiency and higher bills.

3. A quieter boiler system

If your current boiler has been in use for a good amount of time, you’ll know it can be noisy. This can be especially annoying if your boiler is in a location like the kitchen or near your bedroom. 

Noise is also a sign that your boiler is not running efficiently - sound itself is a form of energy - and that something might be wrong. 

By comparison, a new boiler will be considerably quieter than an older system - as it will use less energy and be more equipped to handle higher demand. 

4. More space

Depending on the heating system you have, your current boiler may need tanks in the airing cupboard and loft too - taking up valuable space in your home.

In some cases, converting a system or standard boiler to a combi boiler, will mean these tanks can be removed; however, it's important to bear in mind combi boilers aren’t suitable for every home. 

5. Better temperature control

While older boilers have thermostats to help you regulate your home's temperature, they are not as accurate as modern boilers. 

Smart technology, like thermostat systems, can be set up to regulate your home's temperature using a remote control panel or even your smartphone. These digital displays are much more accurate than their predecessors.

Another benefit to this technology is that you can control your boiler at the touch of a button using mobile phone apps, no matter where you are. You can pop your heating on while you’re on your way home from work - making sure your home’s nice and warm for when you get in.

The ability to monitor energy use in real-time lets you see how different actions can affect energy bills too, allowing you to take measures to manage your usage.

6. Increased property value

Having a new boiler in place is an excellent selling point as prospective new buyers will not have to worry about impending boiler costs. As well as being an excellent incentive for people viewing homes, replacing a boiler that is over 10 years old can also increase the property value by an estimated 4%.

Energy ratings are an important consideration in today’s housing market because they let people know how energy efficient your home is.

Homes with good insulation and newer heating systems will use less energy to heat the house, and less heat loss will occur - resulting in lower energy bills. Ultimately, the better your home’s energy rating is, the more attractive it will be to prospective buyers.

Spreading the cost of a new boiler 

Regardless of the type of boiler you need, it can still be a large outlay. If it’s a cost you’re not expecting, paying for a new boiler replacement can be even more challenging. 

To help you manage the cost of a new appliance and boiler installation prices, BOXT offers you the chance to spread new or replacement boiler costs over a period of time, ranging from 12 right through to 120 months. 

Better still, if you’re able to repay in full within 12 or 24 months, there’s no interest added to what you owe. Explore our finance page for more information and to use our finance calculator.*

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