Only a few Chicago heating contractors replace steam boilers correctly. We have been doing it since 2004: sized to your radiators, piped the way a steam system needs, with one flat-rate price before any work begins.
A boiler replacement is priced on the building, not over the phone, and the estimate is free. A straightforward hot water boiler swap in a bungalow sits at the low end. A steam boiler in a three-flat with piping corrections lands in the middle. A high-efficiency condensing boiler with new venting and controls is the top of the range. We come out, measure, and give you a flat-rate quote in writing before any work begins.
Serving Chicagoland for 30+ years
Steam heat is common in older Chicago homes and buildings, and it costs more to replace correctly than hot water. The near-boiler piping has to be sized and pitched right, or the new boiler will bang, surge and fail early. A big share of the “bad boiler” calls we see are really bad piping from a cheap install.
If your building already has steam, keeping it and replacing the boiler usually makes sense. In most Chicago buildings, converting to forced air costs far more than a new boiler.
Hot water boilers give quiet, even heat through radiators, baseboard or radiant floors, and they allow better temperature control and zoning. A standard cast-iron boiler costs less up front and lasts decades. A high-efficiency condensing boiler saves gas every month but needs new venting and yearly maintenance, and older radiator systems do not always run cool enough to let it actually condense. We will tell you which side of that line your house is on.
Need hot water too? A combi boiler handles both heat and domestic hot water in one compact unit. We installed a Weil-McLain combi boiler in a Chicago home renovation.
Age alone does not condemn a boiler: cast iron can run 40 years or more with yearly maintenance. But a cracked section or a flooded boiler usually ends the conversation, and repeated no-heat winters on a boiler past 25 to 30 years mean you are paying for a new boiler one emergency call at a time.
Our rule: if the repair costs more than a third of a replacement and the boiler is past its expected life, replace. We quote both side by side, so the decision is yours with real numbers. More on boiler replacement cost in Chicago.
Plan ahead if you can. A planned fall installation beats an emergency January one on price, scheduling and stress.
Brands: we service every major boiler brand, including Weil-McLain, Burnham, Peerless and Viessmann, and install the right one for your building, not the one on sale.
Financing: 0% interest with 60 equal monthly payments through Wells Fargo, for qualified buyers, plus Synchrony financing. See financing options.
Rebates: the federal tax credit ended on December 31, 2025, but gas utilities still pay rebates on high-efficiency boilers in 2026: Peoples Gas up to $350 for a hot water boiler and up to $500 for a boiler with built-in hot water; Nicor Gas $350 for 95% AFUE or higher and $500 for a qualifying combination boiler. Rebate details.
We replace boilers in homes, two-flats and three-flats across Chicago and the suburbs, including Lincoln Park, Lincoln Square, Edgewater, Rogers Park, West Town, Roscoe Village, Bronzeville, Crestwood, Oak Forest and Flossmoor. See all our locations.
Is the estimate really free?
Yes. Estimates on new installations are free. Repair visits are priced as usual.
Can you quote from photos?
For a starting price, often yes: text or email photos of the boiler, its label and the piping around it. A firm quote on a boiler needs a visit, because the piping and the radiators decide the job.
Do you work on steam?
Yes. Steam and hot water, one-pipe and two-pipe systems.
Should I switch from steam to forced air?
Usually not. In most Chicago buildings it costs far more than a new boiler, and you give up the radiators you already have.
Can I finance it?
Yes: 0% interest with 60 equal monthly payments through Wells Fargo for qualified buyers, or Synchrony.
Are you licensed?
Licensed and insured, serving Chicago since 2004. See our business licenses.
Call or email to talk to a technician. Landlords & Tenants, please fill out this form to request HVAC work on tenant properties.
