Guide
Repair or replace your boiler: how to decide
Age, breakdowns, parts and the bill. A simple way to decide, with real Dublin prices for both.
Figures checked against installers' published price pages on 28 October 2026.
Repair it if the boiler is fairly young, the fault is a one-off and parts are easy to get. Think about replacing it if it's breaking down often, it's 15 years old or more, or the repair bill is heading towards the price of a new one.
Dublin Gas Boilers says a well-maintained gas boiler can last 15–20 years, and puts an average repair at €300–€500 (VAT not stated). A like-for-like replacement is €2,200–€3,300 with VAT.
A quick way to decide
| Lean towards repair | Lean towards replace |
|---|---|
| Under 10 years old | 15 years old or more |
| First fault in years | Third or fourth call-out in two winters |
| Parts in stock | Parts discontinued or on long order |
| Still under warranty | Out of warranty, and the repair is big |
| Bills steady | Gas bills climbing with no other reason |
| Heats the house well | Rooms never get properly warm |
GB Gas Services puts it this way: if your boiler is over 10–15 years old, breaking down regularly or pushing up your gas bills, a replacement often makes more sense than another repair (GB Gas Services, 19 October 2026).
What a repair costs to start with
Dublin engineers who publish a call-out or repair price charge €80 to €160 to come out, with a middle figure of €115 across 10 engineers. Parts are nearly always extra. Boiler Service Dublin's repair page has the full list and the checks to try before you ring anyone.
The maths, roughly
Put the repair quote next to what a new boiler costs and ask yourself how long the old one will last after the fix.
- A repair of a few hundred euro on a boiler that's otherwise sound is usually worth it.
- A major part on an old boiler, like a heat exchanger, can cost a large share of a new boiler. That's when replacing often wins.
- Several smaller repairs in a row add up. Keep the receipts and total them.
Faults that often mean "replace"
- A cracked or leaking heat exchanger on an older boiler
- Repeated lockouts the engineer can't trace to one part
- Parts that are no longer made
- An old non-condensing boiler: newer condensing boilers waste less heat up the flue
- Water leaking from inside the boiler casing
Faults that usually don't
- Low pressure that a top-up fixes, if it holds
- A thermostat or timer fault
- A frozen condensate pipe in cold weather
- A pump, fan or valve on a boiler that's otherwise in good shape
Questions to ask the engineer
- What exactly has failed, and why?
- Is this part likely to be the last, or is more wearing out?
- How old is the boiler, and are parts still made for it?
- What will the repair cost with parts, labour and VAT?
- Would you spend this money on this boiler if it were yours?
- If I replace it, can the new one go in the same spot with the same flue?
A good engineer will give you a straight answer. Write the answers down, so you can compare them with a replacement quote. If two engineers disagree about whether a repair is worth it, the one who explains why is usually the one to listen to.
Get both prices
The fairest way to decide is a repair quote and a replacement quote from RGI installers, side by side, with VAT. Many installers will tell you on the first visit whether a repair is worth it. If replacing, the Dublin price guide shows what's normal.
If you replace, plan ahead
A boiler that fails in January means a rushed choice. If yours is old and wobbly, get a price in autumn, when you have time to compare. And if a heat pump might suit the house, check the grants first: see gas boiler or heat pump?
Questions people ask
How long does a gas boiler last?
Dublin Gas Boilers says a well-maintained gas boiler can last 15 to 20 years. Yearly servicing helps.
How much is a boiler repair in Dublin?
Published call-outs run €80 to €160, parts extra. Dublin Gas Boilers puts an average repair at €300–€500.
When is it worth replacing a boiler?
When it's old, breaking down often, parts are scarce, or a big repair is close to the price of a new boiler.
Will a new boiler cut my gas bill?
A modern condensing boiler wastes less heat than an old non-condensing one, so it usually uses less gas for the same heat. How much depends on the old boiler and how you use the heating.
Sources (1)
Prices and facts on this page were checked against these published pages. We are not connected to these businesses.
- GB Gas Services: gbgasservices.com
See your price, then get a fixed quote
Three taps show the Dublin installed price for your job. Or call 087 162 1846 between 8am and 8pm and we pass you to one RGI-registered gas installer who covers your area.