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Boiler Replacement Cost in the Philadelphia Area

By Jess Maren · Sources verified by the editorial team on Nov 3, 2026

If your home has radiators or baseboard heat, it has a boiler, not a furnace. When a boiler fails, the usual choice is a like-for-like replacement, a high-efficiency condensing boiler, or a bigger change such as leaving oil. This guide covers boiler prices, what drives them, rebates, permits and when a repair makes more sense. If you have ducts and a furnace, see our furnace replacement cost guide. If you heat with oil and are weighing gas or a heat pump, see our guide to switching from oil heat.

What a new boiler costs

Source and geography Average Typical range Full range
Angi, national (1,848 projects) $5,913 $3,605–$8,450 $600–$12,000
HomeGuide, national $6,100 $3,200–$9,000 $1,500–$12,000
Angi, Philadelphia (boiler page) $5,580 $3,345–$7,814 $1,000–$11,000
Angi, Philadelphia (HVAC page) — $4,800–$10,200 Up to $14,500 for high-efficiency models

Sources: Angi national (updated Oct 30, 2026); HomeGuide (Dec 31, 2025); Angi Philadelphia boiler page (updated Aug 4, 2026); Angi Philadelphia HVAC page (updated Apr 25, 2026). Checked Nov 3, 2026. The two Angi Philadelphia pages disagree, and neither explains the difference. Get local quotes.

By fuel

Fuel HomeGuide, installed (national) Angi (national) Angi Philadelphia HVAC page
Natural gas $4,000–$9,000 $4,000–$9,000 $4,200–$10,800 (gas and propane)
Oil $3,300–$9,000 $4,800–$9,000 $5,800–$11,800
Propane $2,800–$7,500 $2,800–$7,500 $4,200–$10,800 (gas and propane)
Electric $1,800–$8,000 $1,800–$8,000 $2,800–$9,500

HomeGuide's text also gives $3,300–$7,200 for a standard-efficiency oil boiler and $6,300–$9,000 for a high-efficiency oil boiler. Angi's national fuel and type tables and its Philadelphia HVAC page don't say whether their figures include installation. Angi's Philadelphia boiler page lists fuel prices only as "Average Unit Cost," so we left that column out.

By type

Type HomeGuide, installed (national) Angi (national)
Standard or conventional $2,200–$7,000 $2,200–$7,000
Combi (heat and hot water in one unit) $6,000–$10,000 $2,600–$7,000
High-efficiency $4,000–$10,000 $6,000–$11,000

The sources disagree most on combi boilers. HomeGuide says combi boilers "have more connections, piping, parts, and often wall-mounting with special vents, making them more complex and expensive to install."

Steam or hot water. HomeGuide puts a steam boiler at $1,800–$6,000 for the unit alone, against $1,200–$4,000 for a hot water boiler (national, unit only). It says steam boilers "produce higher temperatures, and are common in older homes."

Condensing or not. HomeGuide says condensing boilers reach "90% to 99% efficiency," need a condensate drain and often an additional vent, and have a stainless-steel heat exchanger that "costs more with a shorter lifespan." Non-condensing boilers run at "80% to 89% efficiency" and vent through the chimney flue. Most utility rebates below require a condensing-level efficiency (90% AFUE or higher).

What else can show up on the quote

HomeGuide's national replacement breakdown:

Item National cost
Old boiler removal $200–$500
Installation labor and fitting $1,200–$3,200
Condensation drain (high-efficiency models) $200–$600
Permits $50–$250
Manual J load calculation $200–$500
New plumbing pipes for the boiler connection $450–$1,800
Zoning system $1,700–$4,500
Radiators (each) $250–$500
Chimney liner (when switching type) $1,500–$4,000
Thermostat $140–$350

Source: HomeGuide (Dec 31, 2025), national. Angi gives a different permit range in two places: "$150 to $300" in its summary and "$50 to $300" in its permit section, plus $40–$75 for an inspection.

Asbestos. Angi says boilers "50 years old or older carry additional risk due to potential asbestos." It puts asbestos removal at $2,100 on average, or $1,150–$3,000 for a localized job (national). Ask whether the quote covers testing and removal of old pipe insulation.

Oil tanks. If you leave oil, the old tank has to be emptied and removed or closed. Our oil tank removal guide covers costs and rules.

Gas line. If you're switching to gas, or the new boiler needs new or larger gas piping, our gas line installation cost guide covers prices and Philadelphia permit fees.

Rebates for a new gas boiler

Utility Rebate Key conditions Source
PGW (Philadelphia) Boiler: $1,000 first unit, $700 each additional ($1,400 first unit for Affordable EnergySense customers). Combi boiler: $1,400 first unit, $1,000 each additional ($2,000 for Affordable EnergySense) 94% AFUE. Combi boilers must be on PGW's qualified product list, with gas pressure at or below 4.5 inches of water column and input capacity of 205 MBH or less PGW EnergySense
PECO (gas customers) $250 ENERGY STAR boiler; $500 ENERGY STAR+ combi boiler 90%+ AFUE; combi 94%+ AFUE and "Must be the primary system for both space heating and domestic water heating" PECO rebates
PSE&G (NJ) $540 (Tier 1); $600 (Tier 2) Tier 1 AFUE ≥ 90%, Tier 2 AFUE ≥ 95%. "Must replace a non-condensing unit." "Condensing to condensing replacement not eligible." Instant rebate through a participating contractor PSE&G HVAC Instant Rebates
South Jersey Gas $900 (Tier 1); $1,000 (Tier 2) Tier 1 AFUE 90–94.99%, Tier 2 AFUE ≥ 95%, "Non-condensing to condensing." Installed by a participating contractor; apply within 120 days SJG rebates; SJG rebate form
New Jersey Natural Gas Up to $1,750; "The maximum rebate $1,750 is available for the purchase of a combi unit with a greater than or equal to 97% AFUE rating" "Customer must replace existing non-condensing furnace or boiler with a new, qualifying, high-efficiency condensing model." Purchased and installed by June 30, 2027; paid receipt and proof of permit required NJNG SAVEGREEN

Checked Nov 3, 2026. Programs can change or run out of funds; confirm before you sign. Angi's Philadelphia page says PGW offers "rebates of up to $2,000" for a combination boiler. On PGW's own table, $2,000 is the Affordable EnergySense amount; the standard first-unit combi rebate is $1,400.

Federal tax credit. Angi's national page still says a qualifying ENERGY STAR boiler "can recoup 30% of the first $600 as a tax credit." The IRS says you can claim the energy efficient home improvement credit "for improvements made through December 31, 2025." A boiler installed in 2026 doesn't qualify. Our federal tax credit guide explains what you can still claim for 2025.

Loans. Our furnace guide lists financing that also covers boilers, including Pennsylvania's KEEP Home Energy Loan and the New Jersey utilities' on-bill repayment programs.

Permits and who can do the work

Where What we found Source
Philadelphia Heating equipment needs an L&I Mechanical Permit, and "A licensed contractor must perform all work." EZ permits (no plans) cover "Replacing appliances in one-or-two-family dwellings." In one- or two-family homes, the appliance fee is "$69 for each appliance," and gas piping is billed as fuel gas work at "2% of contract costs (minimum $189)." There's a $100 filing fee and $3 city and $4.50 state surcharges. L&I's page also says "Boiler installations are regulated by the PA Department of Labor and Industry." L&I Mechanical Permit
Pennsylvania boiler law The state Boiler and Unfired Pressure Vessel Law says it doesn't apply to "Boilers located in single-family dwellings, multiunit dwellings with four or fewer units." Act 85 of 1998, section 5
Pennsylvania suburbs Ask your township or its code agency what permit a boiler swap needs. Statewide, including Philadelphia, the home improvement law covers "the installation of central heating," so contractors who do $5,000 or more of home improvements a year must register with the Attorney General, and contracts over $500 must be in writing. PA Attorney General FAQ
New Jersey "Minor work" includes "the replacement of existing low-pressure boilers, warm air furnaces, air conditioning units, and air conditioning condensing units with new appliances of like capacity." Ask your construction office what permit and inspection it requires. N.J.A.C. 5:23-2.17A

Our reading: because of the state law's exemption, the "regulated by the PA Department of Labor and Industry" line on L&I's page may apply to larger buildings, not single-family homes. Angi's Philadelphia page says the state "approves and inspects boilers." We couldn't confirm what, if anything, a home boiler swap needs from the state. Ask L&I.

Repair or replace?

  • Angi puts boiler repair at $200–$600, with some repairs reaching $1,700 (national). It says "If your boiler is over 15 years old, replacement is generally the right call." For newer units, it suggests multiplying the boiler's age by the repair cost and replacing it if the result is over $5,000.
  • HomeGuide also puts repairs at $200–$600 and says to replace a boiler "when the unit is older than 15 years."
  • Lifespan: Angi says 15 to 20 years on average, and older cast-iron boilers "can last for over 20 years." HomeGuide says 10 to 20 years, "or up to 30+ years for some cast-iron boilers."

HomeGuide's warning signs include "Carbon monoxide detector alerts or a yellow pilot flame," frequent repairs, leaks and corrosion. The CPSC says to "Install battery-operated CO alarms or CO alarms with battery backup on every level of the home and outside sleeping areas" (CPSC). If you suspect CO poisoning, the CPSC says to get outside to fresh air immediately and then call 911.

Questions to ask before you sign

  1. Sizing: Did you do a heat-loss calculation, or are you matching the old boiler's size?
  2. Steam or hot water: If I have steam, are you replacing steam with steam? What near-boiler piping is included?
  3. Efficiency: Is the new boiler condensing? What AFUE? Does it qualify for my utility's rebate, and who files it?
  4. Venting: Will it vent through the chimney (and does the chimney need a liner) or through the wall?
  5. Old equipment: Is removal included? Is there asbestos on the old boiler or pipes, and who handles it?
  6. Hot water: Does the price include an indirect water heater or a combi unit, or am I keeping my water heater?
  7. Permits: Will you pull the permit and schedule inspections?
  8. Itemized price: Can you break out equipment, labor, piping, venting, removal, permits and any electrical work?
  9. Warranty: What do the manufacturer and labor warranties cover, and for how long?

FAQ

How much does a new gas boiler cost in Philadelphia? Angi's Philadelphia boiler page averages $5,580 for all boilers, with most jobs between $3,345 and $7,814. Its Philadelphia HVAC page puts gas and propane boilers at $4,200–$10,800. Both are modeled, not local quotes.

Is a combi boiler worth it? A combi boiler replaces both your boiler and your water heater. National prices vary by source: HomeGuide says $6,000–$10,000 installed, while Angi's table says $2,600–$7,000 without saying whether that includes installation. PGW's combi rebate is higher than its standard boiler rebate ($1,400 vs. $1,000 for the first unit), and PECO's is $500. Angi notes that hot water supply "tends to be limited due to the lack of a storage tank."

Can I replace my oil boiler with another oil boiler? Yes. Angi's Philadelphia HVAC page puts oil boilers at $5,800–$11,800. Our guide to switching from oil heat compares that with switching to gas or a heat pump.

Can a heat pump replace a boiler? Sometimes, but a heat pump can't just plug into a radiator loop. Contractors usually propose ductless units, new ducts, or a hybrid that keeps the boiler for the coldest days. See our heat pump guide.

Do I need a permit in Philadelphia? Yes. L&I requires a Mechanical Permit for heating equipment, and a licensed contractor must do the work. Replacing an appliance in a one- or two-family home qualifies for an EZ permit.

Thinking about a project?

We don't offer quotes or connect homeowners with contractors. Get at least two written, itemized quotes from licensed contractors and compare them with the questions above. The costs, rules and rebates in this guide come from the sources listed below. Learn how we make money.

Sources