Boiler Repair and Installation in Ottawa
Hot water heating for radiators and radiant floors, from repairs to high-efficiency combi boilers
- 5.0 · 396 Google reviews
- TSSA & HRAI approved
- 24/7 emergency service
- Family-owned since 2005
Hot water heating for radiators and radiant floors, from repairs to high-efficiency combi boilers
- Free estimates on new installations
- Financing from $49/month (OAC)
- All makes and models serviced
Hydronic heating in Ottawa homes
A boiler heats water and a circulator pump pushes it through radiators, baseboard convectors or tubing in the floor. The heat is quiet, even and free of drafts, which is why owners of hydronic homes rarely want to give it up.
In Ottawa you find boilers in two very different kinds of homes. Older houses in neighbourhoods like the Glebe, Sandy Hill, Westboro and Old Ottawa South often still have cast-iron radiators, some on their second or third boiler. Newer custom homes, basements and additions use radiant in-floor heat, sometimes from a combi boiler that also supplies the taps.
Both need a technician who understands water-side work as well as gas. Oria’s technicians hold gas licences, and we work on boilers in Ottawa and in Gatineau, where we hold the required licences too.
Signs your boiler needs repair
Boilers usually give warning before they fail. Call us if you notice any of these.
Cold radiators or zones
One cold radiator usually means trapped air. A whole cold zone points to a zone valve, circulator pump or thermostat.
Pressure out of range
Most residential systems sit around 12–15 psi cold and under about 25 psi hot. Readings near 30 psi or near zero need attention.
Dripping relief valve
Water from the pipe on the side of the boiler often means a failed expansion tank or fill valve overpressurizing the system.
Banging, kettling or gurgling
Rumbling like a kettle suggests scale or sludge in the heat exchanger. Gurgling means air in the pipes.
Lockouts and error codes
A modern boiler that keeps locking out may have a dirty heat exchanger, failing ignitor or blocked condensate line.
Yellow flame, soot or a CO alarm
Signs of poor combustion. Turn the boiler off and call. If the CO alarm sounds, get everyone outside and call 911.
Boiler repair in Ottawa: what we fix
We diagnose and repair the boiler itself and the piping system around it. Typical repairs include:
- Circulator pumps and zone valves
- Expansion tanks, pressure-reducing (fill) valves and pressure relief valves
- Ignitors, flame rods and gas valves
- Heat exchanger cleaning on condensing (mod/con) boilers
- Low-water cut-offs and high-limit controls
- Condensate traps and neutralizers
- Bleeding air from radiators and purging zones
- PVC and chimney venting problems
Boiler repair prices vary widely with the part and the brand, so we quote after diagnosis and before work starts. On older cast-iron boilers we will also tell you honestly whether the repair is worth doing.
Kenneth D., who has used us for both heating and cooling, wrote that our technicians are “very knowledgeable, offering creative and reasonable solutions.” That is the approach we take with hydronic systems, where there is often more than one way to fix a problem.
Combi boilers, heating-only boilers and how to choose
Most boiler replacements in Ottawa today are condensing, modulating boilers, often called mod/cons. They adjust their output to the weather and vent through PVC pipe instead of a chimney.
| Type | What it does | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Combi boiler | Heats the house and makes on-demand domestic hot water in one compact unit | Small to mid-size homes, one or two bathrooms, tight mechanical rooms |
| Heating-only mod/con with indirect tank | Heats the house; a separate insulated tank stores hot water heated by the boiler | Larger households and homes with several bathrooms or a big soaker tub |
| Conventional cast-iron boiler | Simple, durable, chimney-vented, lower efficiency | Rarely the best choice now; sometimes kept where venting options are limited |
Condensing boilers are most efficient when the water returning to them is cool, which radiant floors deliver naturally. Cast-iron radiators can still benefit if the boiler uses outdoor reset, which lowers the water temperature on mild days.
Some homeowners ask whether to switch to a furnace instead. With working radiators or in-floor tubing, staying hydronic is usually the better value; our boiler or furnace comparison covers the trade-offs. If you need cooling too, ductless mini-splits add air conditioning without ducts.
Boiler installation cost in Ottawa
A high-efficiency boiler replacement in Ottawa typically costs $7,000 to $15,000 installed, for either a combi boiler or a heating-only boiler.
| Item | Typical installed range (CAD, before rebates) |
|---|---|
| Boiler replacement (high-efficiency combi or heating boiler) | $7,000 – $15,000 |
| Tankless water heater only (if you just need hot water) | $3,500 – $6,500 |
| Smart thermostat, per zone | $250 – $600 |
The final price depends on your home, the equipment you choose and the venting and ductwork it needs. Oria gives free estimates on new installations.
The biggest cost drivers are removing a heavy cast-iron boiler, new PVC venting, rebuilding near-boiler piping, adding an indirect tank, and cleaning an old system so sludge does not foul the new heat exchanger. Many installs include a dirt separator or system filter for that reason.
Financing from $49/month on approved credit is available. Rebates may be available. Oria will check current programs for your home; see our heating and cooling rebates page for what to expect.
Looking after a hot water system through an Ottawa winter
Hydronic systems are low-maintenance, but not no-maintenance. A few habits prevent most mid-winter calls.
Book an annual service in early fall.
Condensing boilers need the heat exchanger and condensate trap cleaned, and every boiler needs its safety controls tested.
Glance at the pressure gauge monthly.
Note the normal cold and hot readings. A steady climb or drop is an early sign of an expansion tank, fill valve or leak problem.
Keep the side-wall vents clear.
Snowbanks and ice over the PVC intake and exhaust shut a mod/con boiler down just like a furnace.
Protect vulnerable loops.
Radiant zones in garages, porches or over unheated crawlspaces can freeze if the boiler stops on a −25 °C night. Ask us whether a glycol mix makes sense for those zones.
Do not shut off every radiator.
Closing most valves in a large old system can make the boiler short-cycle.
If the boiler does stop in the middle of a cold snap, our 24/7 emergency HVAC service page explains what to do while you wait.
How a boiler replacement works
- 1
Assessment
We look at your radiators or floor loops, measure the home's heat loss and check venting and gas supply. The estimate is free.
- 2
Design
We size the boiler to the heat loss, not the old nameplate, and plan zones, pumps and hot water.
- 3
Drain and remove
The system is drained and the old boiler removed, which can take a crew when it is cast iron.
- 4
Install and pipe
The new boiler is mounted and piped with the pumps, valves, expansion tank and any indirect tank.
- 5
Flush, fill and purge
The system is cleaned, refilled and purged of air so every radiator and loop heats.
- 6
Commission and hand over
Gas, venting and combustion are tested, outdoor reset is set up, and we show you the pressure gauge and controls.
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers from licensed Ottawa technicians. Still have a question? Call us any time.
How much does boiler repair cost in Ottawa?
Boiler repair costs in Ottawa depend on the part and the brand, from small jobs like bleeding air or replacing a fill valve to larger repairs such as a circulator pump or a heat exchanger cleaning. Oria diagnoses the problem first and gives you a price before any work starts. If replacement makes more sense, expect $7,000 to $15,000 installed.
Why is my boiler pressure too high?
High boiler pressure, near the 30 psi relief valve setting, is usually caused by a waterlogged expansion tank or a fill valve that keeps letting water in. A dripping relief valve is the common sign. Do not cap or plug the relief valve. Turn the boiler down and call a technician, because the cause needs to be repaired.
How long do boilers last?
Older cast-iron boilers often last 25 to 35 years, though they are far less efficient than modern models. High-efficiency condensing boilers typically last 15 to 20 years with annual maintenance. Keeping water quality in check, with a clean system and a dirt separator, is one of the best ways to help a newer boiler reach its full lifespan.
Is a combi boiler a good choice for an Ottawa home?
A combi boiler suits small to mid-size Ottawa homes with one or two bathrooms. It heats the house and supplies on-demand hot water from one wall-mounted unit, freeing up floor space. Larger families who run several showers at once are often better served by a heating-only boiler paired with an indirect hot water tank.
Should I replace my boiler with a furnace?
Usually not, if your radiators or in-floor tubing are in good shape. Switching to a furnace means installing ductwork through finished walls and ceilings, which is costly and disruptive. A high-efficiency boiler keeps the quiet, even heat you have now. If you want air conditioning as well, ductless mini-splits can be added without ducts.
How often should a boiler be serviced?
Have a gas boiler serviced once a year, ideally in early fall. Service includes checking combustion and carbon monoxide, cleaning the burner and heat exchanger on condensing models, testing the relief valve and low-water cut-off, checking the expansion tank and system pressure, and clearing the condensate line. Regular service keeps efficiency up and catches leaks early.
Can I bleed my own radiators?
Yes. With the heat off and the radiators cool, open each bleed valve with a radiator key until water appears, then close it. Start on the lowest floor and work up. Afterward check the boiler pressure gauge; if it has dropped below about 12 psi, the system may need water added, which is best left to a technician on many systems.
Book Service or Get a Free Estimate
Tell us what is going on and we will call you back with honest advice and a written estimate. Financing from $49/month on approved credit.
- Licensed gas & refrigeration technicians
- 5.0 stars from 396 Google reviews
- 24/7 emergency service
5.0 Stars from Ottawa Homeowners
Every review below is from a real Oria customer on Google.
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Serving Ottawa, Gatineau and the Surrounding Area
Based at 925 Longfields Dr in Nepean, our technicians cover the whole capital region.