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

On average, boiler replacement costs in Philadelphia come in around $5,580. However, since prices depend on the size of your house, your boiler’s fuel type, and other factors, you’ll likely spend between $3,345 and $7,814. We’ll break down these cost factors to help you get a better idea of how much you’ll pay for a new boiler in Philadelphia.

Boiler Replacement Cost Factors 

When replacing a boiler in Philadelphia, PA, a big chunk of your budget will go toward the boiler itself. Here’s how your home’s square footage, the boiler’s fuel type, and other variables impact your final costs.

Size

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 Philadelphia, PA, for the most accurate estimate.

Fuel Type

The most common fuel used for boilers in Philadelphia, PA, is natural gas. 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 more heat and are better in colder climates. However, oil boilers require more maintenance than gas options, so keep things like long-term maintenance costs in mind before buying. 

• Gas and propane boiler: Propane and natural gas are common options for heating homes. 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 for tiny homes in warm climates.

• Wood: Large, outdoor, wood-fueled boilers are good options for rural areas that have easy access to wood.

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.

HVAC Pro Costs

On top of the boiler itself, you’ll also need to dedicate some of your budget to professional installation, permit fees, and sales tax.

Licensing and Certification

In Philadelphia, a contractor must have an engineer license to operate or maintain steam boilers or high-temperature hot water boilers. Your boiler installation company should also have a city-issued contractor’s license (unless it only performs work on existing one- or two-family homes).

Optionally, you can also choose to hire a boiler installer with a North American Technician Excellence (NATE) certification. To become NATE-certified, an HVAC pro must pass a series of exams, prove they have several years’ worth of experience, and participate in ongoing training and education.

Permits

To install any type of HVAC system in Philadelphia (including boilers), you’ll need a mechanical permit from the city. In addition, Pennsylvania’s Department of Labor and Industry approves and inspects boilers in the state. Together, you can expect to spend several hundred dollars on this aspect of the installation.

A reputable boiler installer will understand these processes (and their costs) and should obtain the permits and approvals for your project. They should also set up any required inspections.

Sales Tax

It might not change your budget significantly, but it’s helpful to keep Philadelphia’s 8% sales tax rate in mind before buying a new boiler. For example, on a $3,000 boiler purchase, you’d pay $240 in tax.

Rebates

If you’re eligible, you can reduce the cost of your boiler replacement with a rebate from Philadelphia Gas Works. The utility offers rebates of up to $2,000 if you install a combination boiler that meets specific requirements, including having a minimum Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) of 94%.

Does Boiler Replacement Increase Home Value?

Philadelphia experiences bitterly cold winters, so having a good boiler (or other type of heating system) here is essential. If you invest in a new boiler before selling your home, you could even see it increase in value—especially if you combine it with a new cooling system. Together, a complete HVAC system can lift your property’s value by 5% to 7%.

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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