Most and Least Reliable Boilers of 2024

Boilers are far less common than gas furnaces, and that’s reflected in the responses to Consumer Reports’ most recent survey on central heating. Our members installed 1,384 new boilers between 2007 and 2023 compared with more than 25,000 gas furnaces.

But just like a furnace, when a boiler breaks you want it repaired—or replaced—ASAP. In our most recent survey, almost 40 percent of our members said they had their boiler inspected at least once a year, and over 20 percent said they had theirs maintained once every two years. 

Based on our last analysis in 2023, we determined that on average, about two-fifths of boilers are likely to experience a break by the end of the 10th year of ownership, the midpoint in the expected life of a system.

For more information on boilers, including how to maintain yours for maximum efficiency, see our boiler buying guide. And for our full ratings, check our boiler reliability ratings, where we break down each brand we test.