Steam and hot-water boilers, radiator systems, and oil-to-gas conversions — the older-home heating most HVAC companies won't touch.
Boiler repair in Boston covers two very different systems — steam boilers that push heat to radiators through air vents, and hot-water boilers that circulate heated water through the house. We work on both, gas and oil, from old cast-iron units to modern high-efficiency condensing models. If your last company shrugged at your radiators, that's usually the system we fix first.
A lot of Boston's homes were built in the early 1900s and still heat with steam and cast-iron radiators. That's a different animal from the forced-air systems most contractors specialize in, and it's exactly the work we do every winter. We service one-pipe and two-pipe steam, forced-hot-water systems, and the controls and near-boiler piping that keep them running quietly and evenly.
Banging pipes, a radiator that stays cold, uneven heat from floor to floor — these are almost always fixable without tearing the system out. We vent the mains correctly, replace tired air vents, check pitch on the radiators and piping, and balance the system so the whole house heats the way it should. For homeowners who've been told "you just need a new boiler," a proper steam tune-up is often the cheaper, smarter fix.
Moving off oil can lower your fuel costs, and there are two ways to do it. You can install a new gas or high-efficiency condensing boiler outright, or — if your existing boiler is young and sound — fit a gas conversion burner to it, which means switching the draft regulator to a gas type and adding a blocked-flue safety switch. The gas utility runs a service line and sets a meter. A standard boiler swap usually takes a day or two; a full conversion takes longer because of utility scheduling, permits, and an inspection under Massachusetts and City of Boston code. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates an oil-to-gas switch can trim heating costs by up to about 30%, and modern condensing boilers reach roughly 90–95% efficiency. If you'd rather heat and cool from one system, a cold-climate heat pump is worth comparing too.
Here's the honest rule of thumb we use: a boiler past about 25–30 years that keeps breaking down is usually telling you it's time to replace it, while a younger boiler in good shape often just needs a burner or a single component. We'll diagnose the real problem, lay out the repair-or-replace math, and let you decide — no pressure to buy a system you don't need. Heating not the issue? See our furnace and heating repair or head back to all our Boston HVAC services.
Most boiler replacements in Boston fall in a broad range depending on the type — gas, oil, high-efficiency condensing, or a combi unit — plus the condition of your existing piping and venting. We give a ballpark up front and confirm the exact price on a free on-site visit.
A straightforward boiler swap usually takes one to two days. An oil-to-gas conversion runs longer because it involves coordinating with the gas utility, pulling permits, and passing an inspection under Massachusetts and City of Boston code.
Sometimes. If your boiler is relatively young and in good shape, a gas conversion burner can replace the oil burner instead of replacing the whole unit. We assess the boiler's condition first and tell you honestly which path makes more sense.
Call for same-day boiler repair and a free on-site estimate.
