How much does Boiler services cost?

If your home has radiators, liquid-based radiant baseboard heaters, and/or radiant-floor heating systems, you have a hydronic heating system—meaning heat is distributed with water or another liquid instead of air. And at the heart of that system is a boiler, where the liquid is first heated up and circulated to the radiators.

In most cases, the boiler unit will also include a water heater that provides hot water for bathing and other domestic uses. While overall designs for hydronic heating systems vary, these are the basic components:

Other key system components include an ignitor (which lights the burner), valves, a thermostat, a pressure sensor, exhaust flues, and a carbon monoxide sensor. 

Water boilers should be serviced by an HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) specialist who has experience with hydronic heating systems. In this guide, you’ll learn about the typical cost of hiring a technician for boiler services and repairs.

Boiler system components should be serviced and visually inspected at least once a year for signs of corrosion, cracks, and leaks. This routine maintenance helps keep the system working efficiently, allows the pro to spot emerging problems before they require emergency repair, and prevents excessive wear and tear that can shorten the system’s service life. Some regular maintenance procedures are also required for a manufacturer’s equipment warranty to be honored.

This service visit should include the following:

The average cost for an annual boiler service visit is $100–300, not counting any needed repairs that might be discovered.

For service calls not covered by an annual agreement (see below),  a professional HVAC specialist will generally charge a flat rate to check and diagnose the issue. This initial cost typically ranges from $40–250. If significant repairs are needed (or the visit lasts longer than about 2 hours), you’ll typically pay a labor rate of $50–100 per hour, plus the price of parts.

Here’s what you’re likely to pay for typical boiler problems and repairs, including parts and labor.

The boiler won’t turn on. If this happens, the problem could be caused by one or more of these parts:

Banging or clanking noises. If this occurs in a hydronic system, you may need to fix one or more of the following issues:

Low operating efficiency. If you’re using too much fuel for the amount of heat produced, you’ll face higher energy bills. That’s typically due to the following issues:

Short cycling. If a boiler is turning on and off frequently without heating the home adequately, you should have it fixed promptly—this wastes fuel and causes unnecessary wear that could lead to early system failure. Here are the possible issues:

Cracked heat exchangers. Over time, repeated expansion and contraction brought about by cyclical heating and cooling causes metal fatigue. That, in turn, leads to cracks in a heat exchanger—the part that transfers heat from burning fuel to the liquid. This is a serious issue, so you’ll need to choose between the following solutions:

Most professional boiler service companies offer annual maintenance agreements, which include a yearly preventive inspection and discounts on repairs. In many cases, they’ll offer  “good-better-best” packages that vary in cost by the level of service provided. Here’s what you’ll typically pay for different levels.

“Good” service agreement. This often just covers the yearly preventative maintenance inspection and tune-up. Typical annual cost: $100–150.

“Better” service agreement. In addition to the yearly maintenance inspection, this might include discounts on labor and parts that need routine replacement. Typical annual cost: $150–200.

“Best” service agreement. In addition to the yearly maintenance inspection, this might include free installation of parts that need replacement. Typical annual cost: $200–300.

The following issues can affect your home boiler service costs:

How much does it cost to have a boiler serviced?
Most boiler service companies offer maintenance agreements for hydronic heating systems, which provide an annual inspection and tune-up for $100–300 a year (higher-cost plans may include some repairs). For boiler repair services not covered under a maintenance agreement, HVAC professionals generally charge $40–250 for an initial site visit to diagnose problems, plus the cost of any repair parts needed. Expect to pay an additional $50–100 per hour for a service call that exceeds 2 hours.

How much does it cost to replace a boiler in a home heating system?
Purchase and installation costs for a new oil- or gas-fired boiler generally range from $3,600–8,500. Boiler installation is typically done by an HVAC professional.

Are boiler-based, hydronic heating systems cheaper to operate than other types of heating systems?
While less common in newer homes, hydronic heating systems—which transfer heat through fluids—are more energy-efficient than forced-air heating systems that use furnaces and ductwork. They cost more to install but often less to run, especially if you have a new boiler, according to the US Department of Energy.

Find a boiler service professional in your area.