How Much Does a Boiler Repair Cost in NYC?

Having issues with your boiler and want to know how much it will cost you to repair?

We can’t give you an exact amount without taking a look at your specific boiler but on average, boiler repairs in the NYC area usually cost anywhere from $350-$950+.

The factors that will affect the cost of your boiler repair include:

1. The type of repair needed

2. The type of warranties you have

3. How often your boiler has been maintained

4. The company/contractor you hire

5. If you have a service plan

Below, we’ll look at each of these cost factors in more detail, so you can get a better idea of how much your boiler repair will cost you.

Live in the NYC metro area? Want a boiler repair estimate from a professional? Reach out to us and we’ll send a tech over as soon as we can.

For more detailed information about our service process, view our boiler repair page.

The type of repair you need will likely have the largest impact on the overall cost of the repair. Following are common boiler issues that can occur:

If your boiler won’t start up, you most likely have one of the following boiler issues:

• A faulty ignitor- If your boiler isn’t producing any heat, a broken ignitor could be your problem. The ignitor is the part of your boiler that ignites the fuel (oil, gas or propane). If the ignitor is damaged or faulty, your boiler won’t be able to produce any heat. Usually, replacing an ignitor is a fairly inexpensive fix. Approximate repair cost: $350-$700.

• Bad thermocouple – A thermocouple is essentially a sensor that regulates the gas supply to the boiler allowing the pilot light to ignite. If your thermocouple is dirty or faulty, this can prevent your boiler from starting up and producing heat. Approximate repair cost: $350 - $550.

• Bad gas valve- Gas boilers have their own gas valve that feeds gas directly to the boiler. If your boiler’s gas valve isn’t feeding gas to your boiler properly, the main gas burners won’t light and, consequently, the boiler won’t start. If this is your issue, you’ll need to have a professional repair or replace your boiler gas valve. Approximate repair cost: $600+.

If your boiler starts but then quickly shuts off again, this problem is called “short cycling”. One cause of short cycling could be your boiler’s pilot light not staying lit. Sometimes a pilot light might go out because there’s a strong draft (perhaps caused by a nearby interior fan). If you notice your pilot keeps going out, inspect your boiler room for possible drafts.

Other causes for your boiler short cycling can include:

• Thermostat settings need to be adjusted- Your boiler relies on your thermostat to tell it when to turn ON/OFF. A thermostat with faulty settings, however, might give your boiler incorrect temperature readings, which tricks the boiler into turning on and off frequently. If this is your problem, you’ll need a professional to troubleshoot the thermostat and possibly install a new one or correct a wiring issue. Approximate repair cost: $350+.

• Bad thermocouple- If your thermocouple is broken, dirty or not lined up properly, it might not sense a flame from your boiler’s pilot light. And when this happens, your thermocouple will shut off all gas flow to your boiler, meaning it will stop the boiler from running properly. Approximate repair cost: $350 - $550.

• Faulty pressure control / syphon tube on steam boiler

• Boiler is oversized- Short cycling from an oversized boiler occurs when a boiler’s heat output is larger than the heating needs of the home (i.e. the boiler is oversized for the home). Unfortunately, the only way to correct the size issue is to completely replace the boiler with one that is correctly sized for the home. Approximate repair cost: $5,500+

• Replacing the circulator pump- Your circulator pump is responsible for circulating heated water through the radiator and pipes. If there are issues with your circulator pump, your system will struggle to properly heat your home. Usually, replacing a circulator pump is a more expensive repair. Approximate cost: $600-$1,500+.

Note: The prices listed above are estimates. To get an exact quote, contact us and we’ll have a tech assess your specific boiler.

The type and length of warranty you have will greatly impact the overall cost of your boiler repair. When it comes to warranties, there are a few to look at:

1. Labor warranty- Typically, the company or contractor you hire to install your boiler system will ensure their work for a certain period of time. Normally, this covers about 1-2 years after installing your boiler.

2. Manufacturer (parts) warranty- A manufacturer warranty will come from the manufacturer you purchased your boiler from. This usually covers defective parts of your boiler for an amount of time (usually around 1-5 years). However, some parts of your boiler, like the heat exchanger, may be under warranty for longer.

When you installed your boiler, you likely had the chance to purchase an extended warranty for one or both of these warranties. If you do have an extended warranty, your boiler could be covered for another 5-10 years post-installation.

To check on your manufacturer’s warranty, you can usually just go to the manufacturer’s website and look up your information with your boiler’s make and model. If this doesn’t work, you can reach out to them directly.

To check on your labor warranty, you can reach out to the company or contractor who installed your boiler directly.

Note: If you haven’t had your boiler properly maintained by a licensed professional, your warranties may be void.

As we mentioned above, if your boiler hasn’t been properly maintained, your warranty may be void, which will increase the cost of your repair.

In addition to keeping your warranties valid, annual maintenance also helps prevent larger repairs. That being said, if you haven’t had your boiler maintained by a licensed pro each year, your repair is likely going to cost more than if a professional had been regularly servicing your system.

To prevent this in the future, you should invest in annual tune-ups for your boiler.

There are 2 main cost factors to consider when it comes to the company/contractor you hire to repair your boiler:

1. The quality of the company/contractor

2. How the company/contractor charges

1. The quality of the company/contractor

Typically, the more experienced a contractor is, the more they will charge. However, if you hire a cheap and inexperienced tech, you run the risk of a repair that’s not done well, which could actually end up costing you more money in the long run.

Our advice would be to hire a contractor with :

• At least 10 years of experience in your specific area (we’ve been serving NY residents for 60+ years)

• Valid license and insurance (you can find this on the BBB)

• Great reviews on sites like the BBB and Google

• Reliable warranties

2. How the company/contractor charges

The cost of your repair will also depend on whether the contractor you hire charges a flat-rate or by the hour.

If they charge a flat-rate, you’ll pay the same amount regardless of how long it takes them to repair your boiler.

If they charge by the hour, you could end up paying very little or a lot, depending on how long your repair takes. Our advice would be to find a contractor who charges a fixed rate, that way you don’t have to take a gamble on the cost of your repair.

Most reputable heating companies offer service plans for gas heating systems. Aside from providing peace of mind and emergency service, most service plans usually offer discounts that save homeowners a considerable amount of money on heating system repairs. If you have a service plan, you can expect lower repair bills in the event your gas boiler needs to be serviced

Ranshaw can help with that.

We’ve been serving homeowners in the NYC metro area for more than 60 years. We have a reputation for offering boiler repairs that are done right the first time, which saves you time and money. Plus, we offer upfront pricing and a solid 1-year labor warranty on our boiler repairs.