How much does a boiler cost?
Boiler replacement is one of the bigger mechanical purchases a homeowner makes, and typical Midwest market ranges are wide because homes and systems vary so much. These figures are not Hanna quotes; with hot water heat, the right number truly requires measuring the house and looking at the existing system.
- Family-operated in Marion, Iowa since 2003
- Techs paid by the hour — no quotas
- 24/7 emergency & same-day service
- Free estimates on work over $500
Typical range · installed, residential replacement
$6,000-$9,000
Seen as low as $4,500 · as high as $12,000
Market ranges, not a quote — your home decides the real number. Estimates are free over $500.
What moves the number
Standard vs. high-efficiency condensing
A standard-efficiency boiler costs less up front, while a condensing boiler squeezes more heat from every therm and vents through inexpensive sidewall pipe. On an Iowa heating bill, the efficiency difference is real money over 15 to 20 winters.
Sizing (BTU load)
The boiler should be sized to a heat-loss calculation of your actual house, not matched to the old unit, which was often oversized to begin with. Right-sizing costs nothing extra and pays back in comfort and equipment life.
System condition
Old zone valves, circulator pumps, expansion tanks, and near-boiler piping often make sense to replace while the system is drained. In the older Cedar Rapids and Marion housing stock that still runs radiators, this is where quotes diverge the most.
Venting changes
Moving from a chimney-vented boiler to a sidewall-vented condensing unit means new vent piping and often a chimney liner for any remaining appliance on the old flue. It is a common and legitimate line item.
Water quality
Very hard water scales boiler heat exchangers over time. A proper fill setup, and in some cases treatment, protects the new boiler; it is a small cost next to an early heat exchanger failure.
Good to know
- Hanna does not pay commission or set quotas, so the boiler recommended is the one that fits the house, not the one that fits a sales target; estimates on work over $500 are free.
- Efficiency rebates from gas utilities frequently apply to condensing boilers; check what is current before choosing.
- A dying boiler in January is a genuine emergency; Hanna runs 24/7 emergency service, but planned replacement in the off-season is calmer and usually cheaper.
- Annual boiler service is the cheapest insurance on a purchase this size.
Why a Hanna number is a real number
Our techs are paid by the hour — no quotas — so the estimate you get reflects the work your home actually needs, not a sales target. You'll understand the pricing structure before anyone arrives.
Quick answers
How long do boilers last?
Cast iron boilers commonly run 20 to 30 years; modern condensing units are typically 15 to 20 with regular service. Many Corridor homes are still on boilers older than that, which is why we inspect before recommending replacement.
Can I switch from hot-water heat to a ducted air system?
You can, but it means abandoning radiators or floor heat and adding ductwork — a much bigger project, and a different trade than ours. Most people with hot water heat keep it, and for good reason.
Do I need a bigger boiler if my house is cold?
Usually not. Cold rooms are more often a circulation, zoning, or balancing problem than a size problem. We check that before anyone talks replacement.
Cold pipe or cold house — we fix both.
One call gets a licensed Hanna tech to your door — hourly pricing you understand before we arrive, free estimates on work over $500, and 24/7 emergency service.
The Hanna crew — 22 local pros, hourly paid, no quotas.
Lic. #C145148 · #50273-CL — licensed & insured