Loans for a new boiler or boiler repair

Can you get a loan for a new boiler?

Yes, you can. Plenty of people in the UK borrow to cover a new boiler rather than paying upfront, and there are several routes to choose from. A new combi boiler, fully fitted, typically costs between £1,800 and £3,500 in 2026, and more for a larger home or a premium model, according to UK cost guides. That is a big lump sum for most households to find all at once.

Borrowing simply means paying in instalments over time instead. You might use a personal or short-term loan, a plan from the installer or manufacturer, a credit card, or in some cases a government grant. Sunny is a broker, not a lender, so we don’t lend the money ourselves. Instead, we search a panel of FCA-authorised lenders to help you find short-term loan options that fit your situation, and we never charge you a fee for it.

How to finance a new boiler

There is no single right way to pay for a boiler. The best route depends on how much you need, your credit history and how quickly you want the work done. Here are the main choices to weigh up.

Personal loans and short-term loans

A loan gives you a fixed amount to repay over a set term, usually in equal monthly payments. It is one of the more flexible ways to pay for a repair or a new boiler, because you can use the money with any installer you choose. Rates and terms vary from lender to lender, so it pays to compare. As a broker, Sunny can help you look at short-term loans from £100 to £2,500 over 3 to 36 months. That suits repairs and smaller replacements well, and it can also top up money you already have towards a larger job.

Manufacturer or installer plans

Many boiler manufacturers and installation companies offer their own payment plans, often arranged at the point of sale. Some come with interest-free periods, others spread payments over a few years. These can be convenient, but read the terms closely. Check what the interest rate becomes once any interest-free period ends, and whether there is a charge for paying early.

Credit cards

If you have a credit card with a 0% purchase period, it can be a tidy short-term option, as long as you can clear the balance before the interest-free window closes. After that, card interest can be high, so have a repayment plan in mind. Not every installer accepts cards, so check first.

Buy now, pay later plans

Some installers let you have the boiler fitted now and defer payment for a set time. If you clear the balance within the interest-free period, it can work out well. If you don’t, the interest that kicks in afterwards can make the boiler far more expensive, so be realistic about what you can comfortably repay.

Getting a boiler loan with bad credit

A patchy credit history doesn’t automatically rule you out of a loan for a new boiler. Some lenders look at your wider circumstances, such as your income and how you manage money now, rather than your credit score alone. Nothing is guaranteed, and approval is always the lender’s decision, but it is worth checking rather than assuming the answer is no.

A few things can help when your credit isn’t perfect:

• Check your credit file first. Make sure it’s accurate and up to date, as errors can drag your score down for no reason.
• Borrow only what you need. A smaller amount over a sensible term is easier to be approved for and easier to repay.
• Use a soft search to compare. Checking your options this way won’t affect your score, so you can see what’s realistic before you apply.
• Avoid several full applications at once. A cluster of hard searches in a short space of time can make things harder, so compare first and apply once.

If your credit record is a worry, our guide to bad credit loans explains how it works and what lenders tend to look at. When you check your options through Sunny, the first step is a soft search, so it won’t leave a mark on your credit file or affect your score. We also help people who have been turned down elsewhere, including through our bad credit payday loans options.

How Sunny can help with boiler costs

We know an unexpected boiler bill can throw a household off balance, and we are here to make finding a solution as straightforward as possible. Sunny is a credit broker, not a lender. We search a panel of FCA-authorised lenders to help you find short-term loan options that suit you, and we process thousands of no-obligation quotes every day.

What that means for you is simple. There are no fees from us, ever, and the first check is a soft search that won’t affect your credit score. If you are approved and accept an offer, funds could reach your account quickly, so a repair need not wait. We can help with amounts from £100 to £2,500, repayable over 3 to 36 months, which works well for repairs and as a contribution towards a new boiler. If speed is your main concern, our quick loans are built for exactly that.

Get a no-obligation quote to see what you could be eligible for, with no pressure to accept.

Warning: Late repayment can cause you serious money problems. For help, go to moneyhelper.org.uk

Average boiler repair costs

There’s a lot to factor in when it comes to a boiler repair. Most repairs come in somewhere between £150 and £500 including parts and labour, with the UK average sitting around £300, though a complex fault can cost more and an emergency call out often lands between £225 and £675, according to the Checkatrade cost guide. Gas engineers typically charge £50 to £100 an hour, plus a call-out fee of around £60 to £100. There is usually an extra charge for emergency or out-of-hours work.

Broken boilers really need expert help. You should look for someone who is Gas Safe registered. This is the official body that makes sure only competent, qualified engineers and plumbers carry out gas safety work, such as fixing boilers.

Here we highlight some of the most common boiler problems that you may need professional help with, and the typical 2026 cost of each, including parts and labour. Prices vary by region and by the make and age of your boiler, so treat these as a guide rather than an exact quote.

How to cover the cost of a boiler repair

There are a number of ways to fund a boiler repair if you don’t have the cash in your main account. Here are some options:

• Use your savings. Dip into a savings account, then top it back up later.
• Ask friends and family. They may be able to cover the cost, and you can pay them back later or over a period of time.
• Use credit. If it’s an emergency, you could apply for a loan or use a credit card to pay the bill and spread the cost. This is something Sunny can help with, as we offer access to a range of short-term loans from £100 to £2,500. For a smaller repair, a small loan may be all you need.
• Sell something to raise the money. A sale on eBay or Facebook Marketplace could generate enough to cover the repair. An old bike you no longer use or a piece of furniture you don’t need could raise the cash to pay the plumber.

How to prevent boiler faults and breakdowns

To avoid the stress of a broken boiler in future, there are steps you can take to keep it running efficiently and reduce the chance of paying out for a repair.

Book your boiler in for an annual service

It’s recommended that you get your boiler serviced regularly by a Gas Safe registered engineer to keep it running as efficiently as possible, and to pick up on any potential issues before they become a big deal. A routine service costs around £80 to £150 but could pay for itself over time, as it reduces the risk of larger parts breaking and causing costly repairs later.

If a service identifies an underlying fault, you’ll need to consider how and when you get it repaired. If it isn’t an emergency, you can compare quotes and arrange for an engineer to come at a convenient time. You’ll also have time to work out how to cover the costs and apply for a loan if you need to. Sunny can support you whatever boiler repair you face, with short-term loans repayable over 3 to 36 months.

Turn your heating on regularly throughout the year

While turning your heating on during a summer heatwave doesn’t seem logical, it’s worth switching it on briefly throughout the year to keep the boiler ticking over. Leaving it off for months and then cranking up the thermostat at the first cold spell can make your boiler work harder, straining its mechanisms and potentially leading to something breaking.

Bleed your radiators

Check your radiators are warm from top to bottom. Cold spots suggest they need bleeding, which means releasing air that’s become trapped inside. You can do this yourself with a radiator key from a DIY store. Regularly bleeding your radiators keeps the system running properly and avoids straining the boiler as it tries to push water through pockets of air.

Check the pressure regularly

You can check your boiler pressure yourself by looking at the gauge on the front. For a correctly pressurised boiler it should read between one and two bars. If it’s too low or too high, you may be able to fix it by resetting the pressure. Check your boiler’s manual or look online for a step by step guide for your particular model. If you’re not sure, or the pressure keeps changing even after you’ve reset it, call a Gas Safe registered engineer.

Representative 89% APR

Representative example: Amount of credit: £1,000 for 18 months at £102.42 per month. Total amount repayable of £1,843.60. Interest: £843.60. Interest rate: 89% pa (fixed). Representative 89% APR. Rates between 9.3% APR and 1721% APR. Your no-obligation quote and APR will be based on your personal circumstances. Individuals with a good credit score may have access to cheaper interest rates. Interest rates associated with short-term loans tend to be higher than those of traditional personal loans. Loan term lengths from 3 to 36 months. Subject to lender’s requirements and approval.

Warning: Late repayment can cause you serious money problems. For help, go to www.moneyhelper.org.uk.