Boiler Valve Replacement Costs: What To Look For

Did you know that roughly 9 million U.S. homes are heated with boilers? With so many people using boilers, knowing the ins and outs of boiler repair is crucial. But what is the boiler valve replacement cost to worry about?

If you’re curious about the cost of valves for your new boiler, we’re here to help. Read on to learn more about boiler replacement and how to repair your parts.

What Type of Boiler?

The first step to understanding the cost of a valve or boiler replacement is to see what type of boiler you have. There are three primary types of boilers that you can find in buildings, homes, and businesses.

The type of boiler affects the components. While these boilers all complete the same tasks, they’re built differently and utilize different parts. Here are the three main types of boilers.

Gas Boiler

Arguably the most common type of boiler is the gas boiler. Gas boilers use natural gas or a similar fuel source to complete their task.

Gas boilers are the cheapest boiler, but they’re also often the oldest. You can usually tell there’s an issue with a boiler from the smell of gas.

If you smell gas, you should immediately vacate the area. Call for emergency aid, and do not try to repair the boiler.

Generally speaking, gas boiler valves are the least expensive components. Expect to pay roughly $100-$400 to have the valves replaced.

Electric Boiler

Another common type of boiler is the electric boiler. As the name suggests, these boilers complete their task by using electricity.

Electric boilers are often considered safer. They tend to be more expensive than gas boilers. However, they’re usually cheaper than oil boilers, making them a good middle-ground choice.

You should expect to pay in the $200-$450 range for boiler valve replacements.

Oil Boiler

The third common type of boiler is the oil boiler. These are the most expensive boilers by a fair margin, especially compared to a gas boiler.

An oil boiler’s valve replacement is comparable to an electric boiler. Expect to pay about $200-$500, depending on how many valves you’re replacing.

However, replacing an entire oil boiler is pricy. The cost usually starts around $5,000! An electric boiler can start around $1,500, often making them a better choice.

Identify the Valve

One glance at your boiler will tell you that there are several valves to worry about. Does the cost change depending on what kind of valve needs replacing?

The short answer is yes! Here are three of the most common valves. We’ll also discuss the general cost of replacing one of these valves and their purpose.

Zone Valve

One crucial valve is the zone valve. The zone valve is responsible for controlling the flow of water and steam through your boiler. These valves effectively decide the distribution your boiler sends out.

If this valve is broken, you may not have the ability to let water flow. Sometimes this valve breaking can lead to the flow constantly staying open. When this happens, it’s inefficient, dangerous, and can strain your system.

Repairing a zone valve costs about $200-$500. The price of this repair includes the general labor cost.

Gas Valve

Our second valve is the gas valve, which is more common in gas or oil boilers. If you have an electric boiler, you may not have this valve. Consult your instruction manual to see if there’s a similar valve.

The gas valve helps dictate the flow of gas to the boiler’s burner. If this valve can’t open, the burner can’t get gas, effectively stopping your boiler from functioning. Remaining open can cause the boiler to leak gas, causing a severe safety hazard.

These valves can have a high repair cost. Expect to spend up to $1,100 to repair a gas valve.

Radiator Valve

The third boiler valve to worry about is the radiator valve. These valves are on most boilers but are also the cheapest valve to replace.

The radiator valve controls how much hot water goes into each radiator. If they can’t open, water cannot enter the radiators, ruining your valve. If they can’t close, you can flood or break your radiators.

A radiator valve costs about $180-$330 to fix. These are also the easiest to replace, keeping the costs of labor low.

Costs Beyond Parts

Why is the cost of valves so expensive? Can you save money by finishing the boiler repair by yourself? Here are some of the factors in the cost of your boiler repair and replacement.

Labor

The highest cost of any mechanical operation is labor. The professionals that are fixing your boiler are trained experts. They know everything necessary to safely and effectively replace your valves.

It’s not recommended that you complete your valve replacement by yourself without training or expertise. Boilers are dangerous and volatile machines that can cause injury.

If you have a gas boiler, it’s strongly recommended you let experts handle all maintenance. Poor repair or valve replacement can lead to a gas leak which can prove fatal in severe situations.

Annual Maintenance

Another crucial part of keeping your boiler functioning is annual maintenance. You should have an inspection performed on your boiler at least once a year.

It’s best to have your boiler inspected before winter. The cold months often lead to heavier usage of boilers.

Yearly inspections should also lead to annual maintenance. Ensure you’re replacing components when they show signs of wear and tear or damage. Repairing parts before they break is vital to preventing disasters and emergencies.

Calculating Boiler Valve Replacement Cost

The first step to calculating your boiler valve replacement cost is looking at the make and model of your boiler. Electric, gas, and oil boilers all have different valves and costs, which can change based on their age. It’s often best to leave maintenance and inspection to professional technicians when possible.

For more information on boiler repair and replacement, be sure to contact us. You can also browse our extensive site to learn more.