How Much Does Boiler Replacement Cost in Portland? [2025 Data]

Boiler replacement costs in Portland average $1,480, and most residents pay between $1,380 and $1,780. Your costs will depend mostly on the size and energy efficiency of your home, as well as the fuel source you plan on using. A little over half of all homes in Portland use natural gas as a heating source, but installing an electric boiler can cut your installation costs in half.

Boiler Replacement Cost Factors

Some homeowners in Portland, OR, pay as little as $900 for boiler replacement, while the most expensive projects can cost several times that. To determine where your pricing will fall, be sure to consider all of the following cost factors.

Size

Boiler size is a crucial factor to get right when you replace a boiler because boilers that are too small for your home won’t provide enough heat, and boilers that are oversized will cycle on and off too quickly and fail prematurely. Portland is located in climate zone 4, and a good rule of thumb for this zone is to aim for 45 British Thermal Units (BTUs) per square foot of living space. The average home in Portland is 1,750 square feet, which means most homes will need between 75,000 and 85,000 BTUs.

You can estimate the cost of your boiler by your home’s square footage and boiler capacity using the table below. However, call an HVAC pro in Portland, OR, for the most accurate estimate.

Fuel Type

The most common fuel used for boilers in Portland, OR, is natural gas, with electric boilers being almost as popular. The fuel type you choose will have a major impact on both your ongoing costs and how much you pay for a new boiler.

• Oil boiler: Oil burns hotter than gas, so oil boilers provide the most heat of any fuel source. They’re uncommon in Portland due to large-scale access to natural gas and the fact that winters are only moderately cold, which means maximum heating power isn’t necessary.

• Gas and propane boiler: Propane and natural gas are common options for heating homes, with around 60% of homes in Portland using natural gas for heat. In addition to the unit price, installation costs $1,000 to $3,000 and requires new exhaust lines, drains, and fuel lines.

• Electric: Electric boilers are highly efficient and don't require some of the components that gas and oil boilers need, like exhaust vents. They take a long time to heat up but are an attractive option in Portland, where winters are relatively mild and the cost of electricity is about 25% lower per kilowatt-hour than the national average.

• Wood: Large, outdoor, wood-fueled boilers are good options for rural areas that have easy access to wood. These are rare in Portland and throughout most of the U.S.

System Type

Boilers are broken out by fuel type, but they can also vary in other ways—like their system types.

• Standard or conventional boilers: These boilers work by quickly heating water in pipes and sending it to your taps. Standard units are one of the most popular choices for homeowners in large homes and those with floor heating systems. 

• Combination boilers: Combination boilers are popular because they’ll give you access to hot water quickly. However, the supply tends to be limited due to the lack of a storage tank. 

• System boilers: These work by keeping high-pressure hot water in a sealed cylinder, where it can be sent to multiple taps within your home simultaneously. 

• High-efficiency boilers: High-efficiency boilers are up to 98% efficient, which accounts for thousands of dollars in savings over the boiler's life. Standard boilers are around 80% efficient, making them ideal for cold climates.

Climate Zone

The capacity of your boiler (in BTUs) depends on your region and climate. Warmer climates make it much easier to heat water, even for larger houses, so fewer BTUs are required. You can estimate your necessary BTUs by finding out which climate zone you live in. Portland, Oregon, is located in climate zone 4, which means you’ll need an average of 45 BTUs per square foot of living space.

HVAC Pro Costs

Hiring an HVAC professional in Portland will mean paying an average of $750 in labor alone, which accounts for 50% of your total. On a per-hour basis, labor costs in Portland are higher than you’d pay in most other cities because the cost of living in the area is close to 25% higher than the national average.

Deferring to a professional is expensive, but it’s always a good idea. A pro will consider your home size, energy efficiency, home age, and property conditions when sizing your system, and they’ll also ensure a safe and speedy installation. Plus, the city only allows licensed HVAC professionals to pull permits for boiler replacement, so you’ll need a pro even if you’re comfortable DIYing the work.

Speaking of permits, you should budget for boiler replacement permits. The City of Portland charges a flat fee for boiler replacement permits, which will total $196.

Does Boiler Replacement Increase Home Value?

Yes, replacing your boiler will increase home value because it will reassure buyers that they won’t face issues with heating or expensive boiler repair costs shortly after closing. On average, replacing a boiler will provide a return on investment (ROI) of between 60% and 80%, which means a value bump of between $900 and $1,200 in Portland.

How Angi Gets Its Cost Data

Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We survey real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects. 

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