How Much Does a New Central Heating System and Installation Cost?
Central Heating Cost
- Central heating costs between £7,500 to £11,000 to install depending on whether you opt for a gas or oil-fired system.
- To upgrade an existing gas central heating system, the installation costs on average £5,069 depending on the size of your property.
- Additionally, it’s also possible to install a new central heating system which doesn’t use fossil fuels.
- Combi boilers are the most cost-effective and space-saving option for central heating, as they combine heating and hot water in one unit, eliminating the need for a hot water tank.
What is central heating?
Central heating describes the system which powers heating and hot water throughout your home. It works by generating heat from one central location (i.e. the boiler) and then distributing it throughout the property through a series of pipes which feed the hot water outlets and radiators.
Below you can find information about the different types of systems available and also actual prices paid by WhatPrice users for installed systems.
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Why consider a new central heating system?
A central heating system is one of the most important parts of a property. The quality not only impacts the running costs of your home but often whether the property is livable or not.
If you are building a new property or renovating a historic property which doesn’t have any central heating, the reasons why you would need to install central heating are fairly self-explanatory.
However, there can also be lots of benefits for upgrading an existing system including:
- To reduce energy bills
- Improve the performance of the system
- Change the boiler type
- Get off gas or oil and switch to a renewable energy source
- Boost the thermal efficiency of your home
- Reduce maintenance costs
- Increase your property value
Specifically, a new or improved central heating system is advisable when upgrading the boiler alone wouldn’t solve the heating or hot water issues your property is experiencing.
Alternatively, you may be planning to extend your home and would need central heating added to new locations that currently aren’t served by your existing system.
💡Did you know?: 70% of energy bills are attributed to the cost of heating and hot water. This makes your choice of central heating more important than you think!
How much does it cost to install central heating?
| Central heating type | Cost for a two bedroom house | Cost for a three bedroom house | Cost for a four bedroom house | Installing central heating from scratch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gas | £3,355 | £4,430 | £6,780 | £7,500 – £9,200 |
| Oil | £5,000 | £6,150 | £7,300 | £9,000 – £11,000 |
The cost to upgrade or modify gas central heating starts at £3,335 for a two bedroom home and can cost up to £6,780 for a four bedroom property.
When looking to install central heating for the first time (i.e. during first fix works), the costs range between £7,500 and £9,200 for gas central heating. For oil central heating systems, these can cost between £9,000 to £11,000 to install.
User submitted prices
Below are example prices for hiring a plumber to upgrade or install a new central heating system in a home. These prices typically include all necessary materials – such as the boiler, radiators, cylinders, tanks, pipework, and chemicals – along with the labour involved in fitting the system. In other words, the prices reflect both the supply and installation of a complete central heating system.
| Job type | Description | Price | Units | Region | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Gas Central heating installation | Replacement of old floor standing glow worm boiler that had developed a hole in the burner, boiler was originally in utility room, new worcester combi boiler installed in the adjacent garage and removal of old tanks upstairs, also a new small radiator installed in airing cupboard as the old warm water tank was taken out. | £5,000 | Total price | East Midlands | 2025 |
Gas Central heating installation | Decommission and remove existing Boiler and Flue, make good all electrics, Gas and plumbing. | £6,780 | Total price | East Midlands | 2025 |
Gas Central heating installation | Fitting regular worcester 24 boiler, moved from bedroom to kitchen, magnaclean, hot water cylinder ,12 radiators and trvs and disposal of rubbish | £6,215 | Total price | North East | 2024 |
Gas Central heating installation | Replace storage heaters with ideal combi boiler, fit all new pipe work and flue, fit six radiators and one large chrome towel rail. Fit pipe work in preparation for extension. Job took 6.5 days. | £4,890 | Total price | East of England | 2024 |
Gas Central heating installation | Replace old gas fired cylinder system with new condensing boiler. All new rads fitted in 3 bedroom house. Boilers and rads supplied and fitted | £3,570 | Total price | Scotland | 2024 |
Gas Central heating installation | Supply and fit new central heating system valiant boiler and seven rads to an end terraced house including removal of old storage heating. | £4,700 | Total price | Scotland | 2024 |
Gas Central heating installation | Six radiators. New gas combi boiler. Two bedrooms, one lounge. | £3,355 | Total price | South East | 2024 |
Gas Central heating installation | 6 rads and combi boiler plus take out old system | £6,200 | Total price | South West | 2024 |
Gas Central heating installation | just had a full central heating system installed, old system out and 7 radiators, and a worcester 28kw boiler with wireless room thermostat installed. new gas line and system cleaned | £4,130 | Total price | North West | 2024 |
Gas Central heating installation | remove old tank in upstairs cupboard and loft and back boiler downstairs. fit small radiator in kitchen larger one in dining room,boiler in upstairs bedroom adjacent to outside wall,plus five radiator valves and wireless thermostat, worcester greenstar 28cdi high efficiency combi boiler. | £5,370 | Total price | South East | 2024 |
Gas Central heating installation | I had my hot water cylinder removed from my 1st floor bathroom. Old conventional boiler was removed from 1st floor bedroom. I had a full system – conversion, where I had a Worcester Bosch Combi (7 year warranty parts & Labour) Install in Bedroom. All pipework was re-routed, new gas line to boiler upgraded and condensate pipe was externally terminated / insulated neatly. A wireless 7 day programmer was installed and replacement of 1 new radiator with new valves. MagnaClean filter was installed. House was a fully occupied dwelling. | £3,300 | Total price | West Midlands | 2024 |
Gas Central heating installation | Had a firm in to fit heating in my mother’s house, picked them out of the paper, didn’t do a really good job and now wish I would have looked for recommendations first. Combi boiler and 8 radiators. | £5,100 | Total price | North West | 2024 |
Gas Central heating installation | Supply and installation of Vaillant EcoTec Pro 30kw. Including vertical flue (and associated roof slating etc), MagnaClean, 5 Thermostatic Radiator Valves, Wireless thermostat. Removal of original boiler and vent flue. | £4,600 | Total price | Scotland | 2024 |
Gas Central heating installation | 6 Rads, Worcester 28cdi boiler, all new valves, new gas supply in 22mm pipe, 5 year warranty , excellent work, reliable and clean, | £3,680 | Total price | South West | 2024 |
Gas Central heating installation | Whole new pressurised system including, tank, boiler, 10 rads, pipework and 5 days Install | £9,200 | Total price | South West | 2024 |
Electric Central heating installation | Install megaflo and replace micro bore pipes with flow and return pipes to 4 new radiators | £9,470 | Total price | London | 2024 |
Gas Central heating installation | New ferolli boiler, digital clock, flue, 6 rads plus 1 chrome towel rail, new pipework as no heating before, gas safe certificate with 5 yr parts and labour warranty. | £3,700 | Total price | West Midlands | 2024 |
Gas Central heating installation | Remove Water Cylinder, Cistern, Back Boiler, Bathroom Suite & old pipe work. Install All new hot & cold pipework, new gas line for boiler, cooker & Gas fire. Alter 4″ soil pipe & drainage for waste. Install Vaillant Pro Combi 24 with Magnaclean Filter to new heating circuit. Install 7 New Rads. Install TRV’s & Room Stat. Full Commissioning of Boiler & Central Heating with all signed Paperwork. Property was Unoccupied Dwelling. All Pipework hidden. | £5,290 | Total price | West Midlands | 2024 |
Gas Central heating installation | New Worcester bosch radiator and 9 rads with TRVs, programmer and thermostat. All supplied and fitted. | £3,320 | Total price | Scotland | 2024 |
Gas Central heating installation | Install Worcester Bosch Greenstar 18RI boiler in new location, replace Cylinder with High Efficiency type, fit new Tank Stats, Biflow valve, controller and Magna Clean unit. Remove old boiler and made good brickwork. | £4,140 | Total price | East Midlands | 2024 |
Gas Central heating installation | Full gas heating system. Worcester 28cdi boiler, 8 radiators and thermostatic valves. Normal three bed house in carlisle. | £4,430 | Total price | North West | 2024 |
Factors affecting central heating installation costs
There is no such thing as a fixed price for getting central heating installed, since the process can look slightly different for every property.
When getting quotes for a central heating installation, the following aspects are what your chosen plumbers will be considering.
Property size and type
The size of your property in terms of the number of floors and bedrooms will impact the cost of central heating.
Simply put, a central heating system needs to run through your entire property. The more rooms and floors this involves, the more pipework, radiators and accessories will be needed.
Larger homes will also require a more powerful boiler which will ultimately cost more than a smaller combi boiler.
Type of boiler chosen
Different types of boilers exist to cater to the varying property sizes, types and overall user demands that exist.
Based on our research, we’ve found the following average costs for new boilers:
Combi boilers: £600 to £3,000 with an average price when installation is included of £2,755.
System boilers: £800 to £3,500 with an average price when installation is included of £2,967.
Regular boilers: £800 to £3,500 with an average price when installation is included of £2,878.
The price fluctuation for each boiler type is because different boiler brands and boiler sizes exist. The better the brand name and the more powerful the boiler, the more expensive central heating boilers will be.
However, you can save money on the boiler portion of the installation by opting for a boiler size and type that isn’t excessive for what you actually need. The choice of boiler will be based on the number of bathrooms and radiators your property has.
Given a central heating installation also includes installing radiators and other pipework, the job will be priced differently than a regular boiler installation. Overall, it should work out to be more cost effective to have your boiler installed at the same time as the rest of your central heating system.
Number of radiators required
The total price of a central heating system must factor in the combined new boiler and radiators cost. That’s because the boiler size will be based on how many radiators your property has.
The average total cost of a central heating installation including up to 10 radiators is £5,900. But for larger homes with 20 radiators, we’ve found the average price to be £9,800.
Labour and installation costs
Unfortunately, central heating systems don’t fit themselves! Since it certainly isn’t a DIY job, you will always need to factor in the cost of hiring your plumbing and heating engineers.
For complex central heating installations, more than one engineer may be needed. Additional time or labour will make the job more expensive.
Additional work required (pipework, insulation, etc.)
Central heating systems need to run all the way through your property. All while being energy efficient and compliant with various building regulations.
Should there be any issues with the route of the pipework, insulation or ventilation, then this will incur extra costs. That said, by ensuring your new central heating is running optimally when first installed, this can prevent issues down the line.
Types of central heating systems
One of the biggest decisions you’ll need to make for a central heating installation is the fuel type your system will be powered by.
While traditional options (i.e. gas) are cheaper to install, the long term push towards greener energy, not to mention rising energy costs can make other fuel types more desirable in the long run.
Gas central heating
Gas central heating has long provided the standard option for combi, system and regular boilers. In particular, gas combi boilers give you hot water on demand without having to wait for the water to heat up in a tank. Overall, combi boilers are also cheaper to install.
But if you have more than one bathroom or an older property, it’s also possible to find a system and regular boilers which run on gas.
Some gas boilers are also hydrogen-ready which can help future-proof your central heating installation.
Oil-fired central heating
For rural properties which are not on the gas network, oil-fired central heating offers a popular choice.
Our research found that oil-fired boilers are more expensive to install. Similar to gas boilers, there is also a plan to phase out oil boilers by 2035. So this is something to consider if you will be getting central heating installed close to the deadline as it may impact the long-term availability of fuel, servicing and repairs.
Electric central heating
It’s possible to choose an electric boiler, including to pair with solar panels to reduce your energy bills.
Also known as a ‘dry’ central heating installation, electricity can also power underfloor heating in modern homes.
Renewable heating systems (heat pumps, biomass)
Installing a new central heating system (especially if it’s part of a wider property renovation) is the ideal time to explore greener energy alternatives such as air source heat pumps or biomass boilers.
While renewable energy systems cost more to install than gas, they can result in cheaper running costs. Also, switching to a renewable fuel source is yet another way you can future-proof your home.
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What’s included in a central heating installation?
📝 It all starts with a plan: This is a general guide to map out where everything will be installed around your home and how it will all connect together.
Depending on the type of central heating system you opt for, your engineer will map out where each of the fixtures will go. Where applicable, the items may include the boiler, cold water tank, hot water cylinder, pipework, flue and condensate pipe.
Once you have agreed on a plan with your engineer, the following steps are usually included when you get central heating installed.
Boiler
As the heart of your central heating system, the boiler will make it possible to get heating and hot water. Compact options like combi boilers are small enough to fit in a cupboard. However, system boilers and regular boilers will require additional space in an airing cupboard or loft.
Make sure you ask your engineer about the most convenient place to install your boiler during the planning stage. The boiler will need to be easy to access for servicing and repairs. By the same token, it’s important that the location doesn’t take up vital space (i.e. in a bedroom).
Additional ventilation such as a flue or condensate pipe will be required as part of a boiler installation.
Radiators
The average home can have anywhere from 10-20 radiators depending on its size.
If your property already has radiators, your central heating installation will cost more if you need to upgrade or relocate them. However, this may be necessary if the radiators are old and efficient, or if the radiators are currently in the wrong place (i.e. not installed on the coldest wall).
Pipework and fittings
One of the aspects of a central heating which takes the longest is laying all of the pipework.
Traditional wet central heating systems use copper piping, whereas modern dry systems often use plastic pipes instead.
Pipes made from copper or stainless steel will be more expensive to lay compared with plastic pipes. However, plastic is not as durable as metal pipework particularly around the joints.
If your property has any rodent issues, plastic pipework is also unsuitable and can result in costly damage down the track.
Controls and thermostat
Once the boiler and pipework have been installed, it will require an electrical installation so that you can control the temperature of your home.
Various thermostat and options exist, including smart home systems. Installing a more sophisticated system will require more time and labour which will increase the total price.
System flush and testing
As part of the warranty conditions, most boiler manufacturers require a system flush to be installed. This helps to prevent sludge and debris from impairing your central heating system.
The final step of a boiler installation is to test everything to ensure everything is working correctly and efficiently.
How long does installing central heating take?
The time it takes to install central heating can look very different depending on the scope of the job.
In some cases, it can take as little as 2-3 days to install central heating. For instance, where a central heating system already exists but you plan to make upgrades or changes. Or, if the property is very small meaning installing the necessary pipework and fixtures is relatively simple.
On the other end of the scale, some central heating installations can take a week or longer. Expect a lengthy installation time if your property is on the larger size, or if your engineer has explained any complexities that will take more time to work around.
How to save money on central heating installation
Central heating installations are a considerable investment. But with our savvy tips, there are ways to avoid paying more than is necessary to meet the heating and hot water requirements of your property.
Choosing the right boiler for your home
One of the biggest expenses of any central heating installation is the cost of a new central heating boiler to power your system.
A new boiler can cost anywhere from £1,000 to £4,000 depending on the boiler size and type. Based on our user submitted prices, we found £2,804 to be the average cost for a new boiler.
What’s really important when choosing a boiler is to select a boiler size (kW) that meets your needs, but crucially isn’t too powerful for what you will actually use.
For instance, a combi boiler is a great choice for smaller homes with just one bathroom. In terms of your central heating installation, there’s no need for a water tank or hot water cylinder as is the case with other boilers, which can greatly reduce the cost of the entire installation.
Government grants & incentives
If you’re on a low income or receive any benefits, you may qualify for a variety of government grants to improve the energy efficiency of your home, including helping towards the cost of a new boiler.
Schemes to check out include the Boiler Upgrade Scheme which offers up to £7,500 for replacing fossil fuel systems with low-carbon alternatives like heat pumps.
Also, Warm Homes is a local grant scheme which provides up to £30,000 for energy efficiency upgrades and low-carbon heating. It covers air source heat pumps for eligible homeowners.
Comparing quotes from installers
As with any home improvement work you are looking to have done, it’s wise to collect at least 2-3 quotes before you go ahead.
Remember, the time of year can impact the cost of any plumbing and heating work. Typically, the summer months are cheaper to have central heating installed, since plumbers tend to be less busy during this time.
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Finding a reliable central heating installer
For central heating installations involving gas (including the removal of an existing gas system),
the engineer must be on the Gas Safe Register.
Also look out for accreditations such as CIPHE (Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering) and WaterSafe. Likewise, choosing a professional who is a Which? Trusted Trader can also offer peace of mind.
Take the time to read customer views when comparing quotes. It’s important to choose someone who prioritises not just health and safety, but also completing their work to a high standard.
Use our free service to get up to 3 competitive quotes today.
Central heating boiler replacement FAQs
Have a question about getting central heating installed? You’ll find answers to the most popular queries below.
For anything else, check the rest of our heating and plumbing for free advice and cost guides to help you make an informed purchase decision.
What is included in a central heating installation?
To install central heating, your engineer will need to install all of the components necessary to facilitate the supply and heating and hot water around your property.
Central heating installations can look very different depending on whether it’s classed as a wet or dry installation.
Based on a traditional wet system, the installation involves installing the boiler, feed tank, hot water cylinder, pipework, radiators, ventilation and system controls. Or, for combi boilers, the installation doesn’t include a feed tank or hot water cylinder.
Beyond the physical installation of all the components, your engineer will also flush, calibrate and test the system. This is to ensure everything is working correctly and that your settings are optimum for your property type and usage needs.
How long does it take to install central heating?
It can take 2-3 days to install central heating for smaller properties and up to a week for larger homes.
The aspects that will affect how long it takes to install central heating include the current central heating setup and the property size. Specifically, how much work will be involved in taking what currently exists to what has been requested in terms of the boiler type, fuel type, radiators and overall heating system.
How much does it cost to install central heating in different house sizes?
Installing gas central heating completely from scratch can cost anywhere from £7,500 to £9,200 depending on the size of your home.
Whichever type of central heating system you choose, the installation costs will always be less for smaller homes. Likewise, if you are converting or upgrading an existing central heating system, the cost will be reduced if there is existing pipework in place.
What are the main factors affecting central heating installation costs?
Depending on the type of system, central heating installations can include installing a boiler, radiators, feed tank, hot water cylinder, pipework and any related accessories.
Whether your property already has central heating installed or whether you are looking to convert to a new type of system will impact the cost. As you might expect, if the necessary pipework exists, then this will be cheaper than installing everything from scratch.
Also, if your property is larger, there will be more pipework to install or re-route.
Similar to other types of home improvements, your location will impact the cost of labour. On the whole, we have found tradespeople including plumbers to charge an amount that is relative to the cost of living in that area. For example, plumbers in the North East of the UK tend to charge less than their London and South East counterparts.
What types of central heating systems are available?
At the time of writing, the different types of central heating systems include gas, electric, oil, LPG, renewable heating systems and hybrid systems.
Given the push to stop selling gas boilers and the recent increase in energy prices, exploring other central heating types is a smart move. As for what central heating type you can ultimately have installed in your property, this will depend on your property type and budget.
How can I save on central heating installation costs?
When researching central heating boiler replacement costs, you should first check if you qualify for any government grants. Alongside the schemes we’ve mentioned above, others to check out include the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) or the Home Upgrade Grant (HUG).
As you might expect, the scope of the job will impact the cost. If you decide to install a new central heating from scratch or convert your existing system to a new type, this will be more expensive. However, if it’s possible to just change your boiler or radiators it can save you money.
Be sure to not only collect multiple quotes, but also ask for advice from a trusted heating engineer about the work your property truly needs. If there are ways to make the improvements needed in a way that is less invasive and ultimately cheaper, they should be able to advise you.
How do I choose the right boiler for my home?
Choosing the best boiler for your home can be a complex decision. But the main things to consider are your property type and overall usage needs.
Combi boilers are ideal if you only have one bathroom and don’t have issues with low water pressure in your area. But for larger homes with multiple bathrooms, a system boiler will be a better fit for your needs.
Regular boilers offer a solution for low water pressure areas, including where your home is both older and larger.
If you’re on a budget, opting for a like-for-like boiler swap can prove cost effective (i.e. replacing your old combi boiler with a new combi boiler).
However, if budget isn’t an issue, converting to a new boiler type or boiler fuel can be a worthy investment. In particular, if swapping your boiler for a newer boiler which is the same type wouldn’t fix the specific issues you are experiencing with your heating and hot water supply.