For multifamily property owners, a boiler failure can mean much more than a repair bill. From emergency contractor costs to disrupted tenants and an unexpected hit to your operating budget, the price of a breakdown can add up. Evaluating your boiler now gives you time to plan for a replacement before an emergency forces the decision. Learn the warning signs and how Focus on Energy rebates and incentives can help reduce the cost of an upgrade.
Planning your boiler replacement before it fails gives you more control over costs, timing, and tenant disruption, including:
Lower long-term costs: As boilers age, they lose efficiency, meaning your property may begin to use more energy and cost more to heat.
Fewer costly breakdowns: A boiler failure in the middle of winter is a worst-case scenario—displaced tenants, emergency contractor rates, and potential liability. Schedule a replacement now and avoid the risk of a breakdown entirely.
Improved tenant satisfaction: Reliable, consistent heat is one of the most common tenant concerns. Upgrading before a failure occurs helps ensure your tenants’ comfort and reduce turnover.
Rebates and incentives: Focus on Energy offers rebates for new boilers, furnaces, smart thermostats, and air source heat pumps that reduce both your upfront investment and your ongoing energy use.
Signs It May Be Time to Replace Your Boiler
Wondering if your boiler is nearing the end of its life? Look out for these warning signs:
Age: Most boilers have a lifespan of 15–20 years. If yours is approaching or exceeding that range, it’s worth having it evaluated.
Increased repair needs: If you’re calling a technician more often, repair costs can quickly add up to more than the cost of a new, efficient system.
Rising energy bills: If your building’s energy costs are climbing without a change in usage, your boiler may be to blame.
Uneven heating: Cold spots, inconsistent temperatures, or an increase in tenant complaints about heat can all point to a declining boiler.
Unusual noises: Banging, whistling, or knocking sounds often indicate wear on internal components.
Visible wear: Rust, leaks, or corrosion around the unit are signs it may not be operating efficiently or even safely.
Ready for a Replacement?
Don’t wait for cold weather or a boiler failure to make the decision for you. Start planning your upgrade now, while you have more control over costs and timing. Find an Energy Advisor or contact a Focus on Energy representative at 800.762.7077 for help evaluating your building’s boiler and identifying the rebates and custom incentives available to your property.
More Ways We Can Help Your Property
Boiler replacements are just one way Focus on Energy can help multifamily property owners lower operating costs, improve building performance, and plan energy upgrades with greater confidence. Additional program offerings include:
Heating, cooling, and ventilation: Rebates and instant discounts for new furnaces, boilers, smart thermostats, and air source heat pumps to reduce energy use while maintaining tenant comfort.
Building envelope: Incentives for insulation and air sealing improvements that lower energy use and improve year-round comfort.
When you’ve got unusually high energy bills, don’t sweat. Focus on Energy has Energy Advisors whose sole focus is finding ways to reduce the amount of energy your property consumes — and save you money in the process.
FOCUS ON ENERGY® provides resources and incentives to help multifamily property owners reduce energy costs while also improving building comfort and tenant satisfaction. Energy-efficient building improvements are a smart move as they often result in a greater tenant occupancy rate, higher tenant comfort, and reduced maintenance costs.
