New Boiler Costs in the UK: How Much Are They in 2024?

Are you relying on an outdated, rundown boiler? Rather than putting up with continuous repairs and boiler maintenance, it may be better to throw in the towel. Paying up those new boiler costs can be a preferable alternative to constant fixes on an old boiler.

After all, an energy-efficient boiler will bring down monthly bills, and you can rest easy knowing you’re safe from sudden technical issues. In this article, we’ll cover the various costs that you will encounter when sourcing and fitting a new boiler. With this in mind, you can make smarter decisions that help curb the average new boiler costs.

Continue reading to learn more about what factors into boiler expenses, or check out our explainer video below:

The average new boiler cost in the UK ranges from £1,000 - £3,000 before installation. Installation will add nother £1,000 to £1,500 on top, depending on the extent of the work. Where your new boiler falls within this range largely depends on the type of boiler you go for.

The cost range for a new boiler varies for a few reasons. Firstly, the brand and size of the boiler you choose can make a difference. Well-known brands such as Worcester Bosch or Viessmann can charge more simply for their name.

Fuel types and the size of your boiler can also impact cost, as the larger (more powerful) it is can often mean it is more expensive. This is, however, something an experienced installer can help with, as lesser-known brands can sometimes offer the same performance level of boiler, just without the expensive brand attached!

The second major cost factor to be aware of is the complexity of your installation. If you wish to change from one boiler type to another (e.g. combi to system) it can take extra work and additional parts to complete the job. In contrast, if you need a straightforward replacement (combi to combi) it will likely be very quick and easy, taking your installer less time and costing less.

Other elements you might end up paying for include new parts, a cleaning of your pipework, or even basic elements like an extended warranty. When you’re considering the cost of a new boiler, you need to factor in potential extras and installation, although this can vary from installer to installer.

Combi boilers are the most popular boiler type in the UK since they only require a single, self-contained unit to operate. The compact size makes combi boilers best suited to small-to-medium-sized homes with precious space. As aforementioned, combi boiler prices range from £500 to £3,000.

Replacing a conventional, aka regular, boiler with a combi will typically cost between £1,500 - £4,500.

This type of replacement might be preferable if you wish to improve home efficiency as combi boilers can provide an instant supply of mains pressure water for heating and hot water.

On the other hand, conventional boiler systems include a cold water tank, usually kept in the loft, that feeds water to a hot water cylinder. These additional units require more space in your home and usually won’t reach the same flow rates as a modern combi boiler.

However, it’s important to remember that this kind of replacement requires additional parts and labour to restructure the pipework to make way for a new boiler type, as well as the removal of the cold water tank and hot water cylinder. This will likely add a day's work to the installation job, meaning it will take around 2 days altogether. 

Most boiler types, including combi boilers and system boilers, can be powered by electricity, rather than gas or oil. This makes electric boilers a popular alternative for homes off the gas grid. What’s more, the best electric boilers come with efficiency ratings close to 100%, meaning you can get the most out of your energy.

Electric boilers are generally thought of as an environmentally friendly boiler option, and while they don’t release any carbon emissions or toxic gases while they operate, the supply of electricity itself is mostly generated from burning natural gas. The skyrocketing cost of natural gas also in part accounts for the high running costs of an electric boiler and electric combi boilers.

You can avoid this by signing up with a renewable energy provider, there are a number to choose from including Octopus Energy, Ecotricity, Good Energy and Bulb. You can also take advantage of free, renewable solar energy options such as solar panels and solar thermal which you can combine with your electric heating system.

In addition, it is also worth considering support in the form of solar panel grants and schemes available in the UK.

GreenMatch is committed to the UK’s transition to renewable, low-carbon heating. As these new technologies emerge, it is clear that the upfront costs make them unattainable to many UK homes.

Therefore, switching to a new, energy-efficient boiler is the most cost-effective strategy for reducing your overall carbon footprint until these new technologies become more financially viable.

System boilers, alongside a hot water cylinder, keep a constant supply of hot water storage provided by the local mains supply. This makes a system boiler suitable for medium-to-large homes with high energy demands.

Conventional boilers are the more traditional boiler types, typically found in older homes and buildings. Due to our practical knowledge, we know that out of all boiler types, these will require the most space. This is because a conventional boiler requires a hot water cylinder and a cold water tank. Therefore, they are best for medium-to-large homes.

The average cost of a boiler replacement will come down to several key factors, including:

How much will these factors bear on your new boiler costs? The best way to know is by consulting local installers and receiving quotes for their services, including boiler supply and installation.

Boiler manufacturers base their average new boiler costs on various factors and there can be some variance between them. These include the additional features that come with the boiler, the reputation of the brand, and the overall quality of the model.

Below, you can see the usual price ranges for each manufacturer, per boiler type:

The most premium boiler models will come with the highest power outputs and will be most suited to the largest homes with the highest energy demands. These models will also likely come with various additional features that boost their premium quality.

Some of the most popular models from various big-name companies:

Since there can be some variance in the average new boiler costs, the table below breaks these costs down into low-to-high price ranges.

The figures in the table are merely guidelines that can help you make your final choice. However, the advice of a specialist heating engineer is the best way to get an accurate idea of the new boiler costs.

The UK, Welsh and Scottish Governments currently have several grants and schemes open to help homeowners upgrade their heating systems. Below is a list of those currently available:

Please keep in mind that grants and schemes are constantly changing, so it’s important to keep up to date if you wish to take advantage of these opportunities. We recommend checking your local Government websites to stay in the loop.

The average cost for boiler installation is usually between £1,500 - £3,000 but can be more based on the additional parts and labour that come with more complex installations. This will depend on what parts need to be removed or added to make the new boiler fit.

Therefore, a like-for-like swap will cost considerably less than the average cost of a new boiler. That’s because installing a new boiler type means the pipework will have to be adjusted and any additional units, such as the hot water cylinder or cold water tank, will have to be installed/removed. You will also need to factor in labour costs and any day rates your installer might charge, particularly if the installation takes multiple days.

Additional costs might include:

Other factors that might add to the overall boiler installation cost include: 

When it comes to boiler installation you need to look for an engineer with the right qualifications to handle your boiler type. For example, any gas boiler needs to be handled by a Gas Safe registered engineer, and an oil boiler requires an OFTEC technician.

These certifications ensure your installer knows exactly how to work with their respective fuels. While a plumber isn’t typically the first point of contact for boiler work, some plumbers may have these accreditations - so it’s worth checking this out when looking for quotes.

It can also be helpful to ask your neighbours or local community groups online for recommendations. If they have had professionals over for work and been happy with their output, that’s a good sign and confirms that this person works in the area.

Check online review sites like Yelp or Trustpilot to see if a company has positive or negative press. Not all companies are big enough to get reviews but you can also check reviews on Google maps.

Finally, it’s best to check with multiple companies before you decide to hire one. This way you can compare prices and get an estimate of the rates in your area. You can also compare these with prices you find online.

Independently researching the best, most trustworthy installer rates can be daunting. With GreenMatch’s nationwide network of licensed installers, you can be sure that there’s an installer nearby with quotes relative to your area.

Generally, the cost of installing a new boiler includes the combined costs of purchasing and fitting a boiler (i.e. price of labour and material).

The labour cost for installing a new boiler will depend on factors such as the location, the complexity of the installation, and the number of engineers required. As it is well known, labour is one of the most expensive parts of most service work, so prices will increase if any additional work is required.

The average cost of a new boiler replacement will typically fall between £1,500 - £5,000. This accounts for the cost of a new boiler, which typically falls between £500 - £3,500 and the average cost for installation, between £1,000 - £1,500.

At the lower end of this price range, installations will take comparatively less time and the boiler can be easily removed, with little revision needed for pipework and fittings. These usually involve a like-for-like boiler swap.

However, if you’re looking for a biomass boiler, prices typically start from £4,000 and can reach upwards of £20,000.

The most expensive boiler replacement costs are for complex installations where the boiler is replaced by a new type and the existing boiler is not easily removed, with the pipework needing additional adjustment/replacements, or if the boiler is being moved to a new location.

Comparing quotes from various installers is another way to lower the average new boiler cost and avoid overpaying.