Boiler replacement
Radiators and baseboard heat keep many Massachusetts homes warm. When the boiler behind them wears out, we replace it quickly and with as little disruption as possible.
Signs a boiler needs replacing
Boilers commonly last about 15 to 30 years, depending on the type and how well they were maintained. These signs say it may be time:
- Leaks, or rust and corrosion on the boiler or its pipes.
- Repairs every heating season, each one bigger than the last.
- Radiators that heat unevenly, or rooms that never warm up.
- Pressure that keeps dropping, or a relief valve that keeps dripping.
- Fuel bills rising faster than prices explain.
Weighing a repair against a new boiler? Read repair or replace.
Choosing the new boiler
High-efficiency condensing boilers
A condensing boiler pulls extra heat out of its exhaust, so more of the fuel ends up warming your home. It vents through plastic pipe and needs a drain for the water it makes. Many can also adjust the water temperature to the weather outside, which saves fuel on milder days.
Combi boilers
A combination boiler heats your home and makes hot water on demand, in one wall-hung unit. It frees up the space a water heater takes, which suits smaller homes and condos.
A boiler with an indirect water heater
For larger households, the boiler can heat a separate, insulated storage tank. It keeps plenty of hot water ready for several showers at once.
Adding cooling at the same time
Boiler homes rarely have ducts for central air. If you want air conditioning too, ductless mini splits cool without ducts and can share the heating. See mini split installation.
How a boiler replacement works
We look at what you have
We see the boiler, the piping, the venting and the radiators, and ask how you use hot water.
You get the price first
You get the price for the new boiler and the installation before any work starts.
Install day
We drain the system, remove the old boiler, install and pipe the new one, then refill and purge the air.
Test and walk-through
We fire it up, check the pressure and every zone, and show you the controls.
What we work on
Boiler replacement questions
How long does a boiler replacement take?
A boiler swap usually takes longer than a furnace swap because the system has to be drained, piped and refilled. Changes to venting or piping add time. We tell you what to expect before we start.
Will my radiators need to be replaced too?
Usually not. Cast iron radiators and baseboard can last for generations. We check them, and the piping, when we look at the boiler.
Can I switch from an oil boiler to gas or a heat pump?
Often, yes. A gas boiler needs a gas line to the house. Heat pumps can take over most or all of the heating. We explain the options for your home. See heat pump or furnace for how heat pumps compare.
How often should a boiler be serviced?
Once a year, before the heating season. See boiler maintenance and repair.
Ready for a new boiler?
Tell us what is going on. You get the price up front, and we show up on time.