How much does central heating cost in the UK?
A full new central heating system, with a boiler, radiators and pipework, typically costs £3,500 to £6,000 in the UK, while replacing just the boiler is £2,000 to £3,500. What you pay depends on whether you are swapping a boiler, adding radiators or underfloor heating, or moving to a heat pump. The table below breaks down what each part costs on our guide prices.
| Job | From | Typical | Up to | Priced by |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New boiler | £1,800 | £3,000 | £4,800 | supplied and fitted |
| Radiator replacement | £150 | £250 | £700 | per radiator supplied and fitted |
| Underfloor heating | £50 | £90 | £150 | per m² |
| Air source heat pump | £7,000 | £13,000 | £20,000 | before grant |
| Power flush | £300 | £500 | £1,000 | for the system |
What changes the price of central heating
The boiler is the biggest single item in most heating jobs, and the price turns on the type (combi, system or regular), the output you need and how much the flue and pipework have to be moved. A like-for-like swap in the same spot is the cheapest; relocating the boiler or converting from one type to another costs more.
Beyond the boiler, radiators, a power flush to clear sludge, and underfloor heating each add to the bill, and an older system may need new pipework. An air source heat pump is a different route again, higher upfront but eligible for a government grant, and it suits a well-insulated home with room for larger radiators or underfloor heating.
Specify a whole system before adding component prices
For a reference three-bedroom home, ask the engineer to list the boiler or heat source, each room's required heat output, radiator models, controls, pipework, testing, commissioning and making good. State which existing parts will be retained. Bedroom count alone does not establish a suitable system design.
A boiler swap plus seven standard radiator swaps is not a brand-new central heating system. On the linked guides' allowances, £2,000 to £3,500 for the boiler plus £1,050 to £2,450 for seven standard panels gives £3,050 to £5,950 before any separate pipework, controls, cleaning or making-good work. This is an illustrative component budget, not an additional full-system price to add to a package.
Compare one complete written scope and VAT-inclusive total. If a package already includes radiators, commissioning or a system clean, do not add the component prices again. Get new pipe runs and any changes to the heat source designed and quoted for the property.
Explore each cost in detail
Common questions
A full new system, with a boiler, radiators and pipework fitted from scratch, typically costs £3,500 to £6,000 in the UK. Replacing just the boiler on an existing system is £2,000 to £3,500, and adding or swapping individual radiators or a power flush costs less again. The table above breaks each part down.
Replacing individual radiators is much cheaper than a whole system and is often all an older setup needs, especially alongside a power flush to clear sludge. A full system replacement only makes sense if the boiler and pipework are failing too. Price the boiler, radiators and a flush separately using the guides above.
An air source heat pump costs more upfront than a gas boiler, typically several thousand pounds more before the government grant, which brings the gap down. It suits a well-insulated home with larger radiators or underfloor heating. A straight boiler replacement is cheaper today, but running costs and grants change the long-term picture.
These are independent guide prices based on typical UK jobs in 2026. Your actual cost depends on your property, spec, access and where you live. Always get at least three written quotes before committing. The underlying figures are free to download as a CSV under a CC BY 4.0 licence.