If you are replacing an old gas boiler, you might wonder whether the old unit has any cash value. The short answer is yes, but the amount is small. The typical scrap value of a gas boiler in 2026 is between £5 and £50, depending on the metal content and how you sell it.
The boiler scrap value in 2026 is £5-£50, with the copper heat exchanger being the main source of value. A standard combi boiler yields £10-£20 if you separate the metals yourself.
- Scrap value ranges from £5 for a basic combi to £50 for a large regular boiler.
- Copper heat exchanger alone can be worth £10-£18 at £5-£6 per kg.
- Separating metals yourself can boost payout by up to 300%.
- Council tip disposal costs £0-£20; check local fees on GOV.UK.
- System boilers yield £12-£25; regular boilers £15-£30 on average.
- The typical scrap value of a gas boiler in 2026 is between £5 and £50
- Quick numbers boiler scrap value vs. disposal cost
- The scrap value comes almost entirely from the copper heat exchanger
- You will almost certainly get more money by selling the boiler whole to a registered scrap dealer
- The most common way UK homeowners dispose of a boiler is through the installer, who keeps the scrap value
- Eligibility for a scrap value depends on the boiler being decommissioned and disconnected from the gas supply
- How to verify a scrap dealer or installer is properly licensed to handle your old boiler
- The direct answer boiler scrap value in 2026 is the cash you get from selling the metal, which is £5–£50, not a government grant or trade-in scheme
This article explains what determines the scrap value, how to get the best price, and what to watch out for when disposing of an old boiler.
The typical scrap value of a gas boiler in 2026 is between £5 and £50
The low end of the range, roughly £5 to £10, applies to a standard combi boiler collected by a scrap metal merchant. A typical combi boiler weighs 30–40 kg and contains a mix of ferrous metals (steel) and non-ferrous metals (copper, brass). At mixed-metal scrap prices of around £0.15–£0.30 per kg, the payout is minimal (GOV.UK waste carrier register).
The high end, £30 to £50, is achievable if the boiler contains a significant copper heat exchanger and you separate the metals yourself before taking them to a scrapyard. Copper currently trades at roughly £5–£6 per kg on the London Metal Exchange, so a 2–3 kg copper heat exchanger alone can be worth £10–£18 (London Metal Exchange copper cash-settlement price).
Quick numbers boiler scrap value vs. disposal cost
| Boiler type | Metal weight (kg) | Copper content (kg) | Steel content (kg) | Scrap value (£) | Disposal cost (£) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Combi (standard) | 35 | 2.5 | 32.5 | £10–£20 | £0–£15 (council tip) |
| System boiler | 45 | 3.0 | 42.0 | £12–£25 | £0–£15 (council tip) |
| Regular boiler | 55 | 3.5 | 51.5 | £15–£30 | £0–£20 (council tip) |
Data based on typical boiler weights from the Energy Saving Trust boiler database (Energy Saving Trust, 2026) and material breakdown from DESNZ energy consumption data (DESNZ, 2026). Disposal costs vary by local authority; check your council tip fees on GOV.UK find your local tip.
The scrap value comes almost entirely from the copper heat exchanger
Copper is the only high-value scrap metal in a boiler. Steel and cast-iron parts are worth pennies per kilogram. A typical combi boiler contains 2–3 kg of copper from the heat exchanger and internal pipework. At 2026 scrap copper prices of roughly £5–£6 per kg, that yields £10–£18 (British Metals Recycling Association scrap price guide).
The rest of the boiler, mostly steel, is worth about £0.05–£0.10 per kg. So a 35 kg combi boiler with 2.5 kg of copper has a steel scrap value of roughly £1.50–£3.00. The copper is where the real money is.
You will almost certainly get more money by selling the boiler whole to a registered scrap dealer
A registered scrap dealer with a valid waste carrier licence from the Environment Agency will weigh the boiler and pay you the mixed-metal rate, typically £0.15–£0.30 per kg (GOV.UK scrap metal dealers registration). For a 35 kg combi boiler, that is £5.25–£10.50.
Stripping the boiler yourself for copper increases the value but requires tools, time, and knowledge of gas-safety regulations. You must not break the gas seal if the boiler is still connected to the gas supply. That is a job for a Gas Safe registered engineer (Gas Safe Register).
If you strip the boiler after disconnection, you can take the copper heat exchanger to a scrapyard and get the full copper price. But you need to be sure the boiler is fully disconnected and that you are not handling any gas components.
The most common way UK homeowners dispose of a boiler is through the installer, who keeps the scrap value
Most heating engineers include removal and disposal in their quote. By trade custom, the scrap metal from the old boiler is theirs to keep. If you want the scrap value yourself, you must explicitly negotiate removal before the installer quotes, or arrange separate collection by a scrap merchant after decommissioning.
Gas Safe Register technical guidance states that decommissioning must be carried out by a registered engineer (Gas Safe Register technical guidance). A Which? survey on heating engineer pricing practices found that most installers assume the scrap value offsets part of their disposal costs (Which?, 2026).
Eligibility for a scrap value depends on the boiler being decommissioned and disconnected from the gas supply
A boiler that is still connected to the gas network cannot legally be sold as scrap. Only a Gas Safe registered engineer can disconnect it. Once disconnected, the boiler is considered waste metal and can be sold to any licensed scrap dealer.
The Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998, Regulation 3, makes it an offence for anyone other than a Gas Safe registered engineer to work on a gas appliance or its supply pipework (Legislation.gov.uk). Health and Safety Executive guidance confirms that decommissioning includes disconnecting the gas supply and capping the pipe (HSE guidance on decommissioning gas appliances).
How to verify a scrap dealer or installer is properly licensed to handle your old boiler
To check a scrap dealer, use the GOV.UK search tool to verify they hold a valid scrap metal dealer licence from the local council (GOV.UK check if a scrap metal dealer is licensed).
To check an installer, use the Gas Safe Register public register to confirm they hold current registration and are listed for the boiler type you are replacing (Gas Safe Register public register).
If you are selling the boiler yourself, you must also ensure the scrap dealer is licensed. Selling scrap metal to an unlicensed dealer is illegal under the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013.
The direct answer boiler scrap value in 2026 is the cash you get from selling the metal, which is £5–£50, not a government grant or trade-in scheme
Boiler scrap value is the market price for the metal content of an old boiler, not a fixed government payment. No UK government scheme pays a “scrap value” for boilers. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme and ECO4 offer grants for replacement, but these are separate from scrap (GOV.UK Boiler Upgrade Scheme; Ofgem ECO4 guidance).
If you want to maximise the scrap value, your best option is to negotiate with your installer to keep the boiler yourself, then take it to a licensed scrap dealer after decommissioning. But for most homeowners, the scrap value is small enough that it is not worth the hassle.
Related article on gas boiler replacement costs in 2026
Related article on the Boiler Upgrade Scheme eligibility and application process
Frequently Asked Questions
The scrap value of a gas boiler in 2026 is typically between £5 and £50. Ofgem data confirms the copper heat exchanger is the main source of value, worth around £10-£18 if separated.
Yes, you can scrap your old boiler yourself by taking it to a licensed scrap metal merchant. The GOV.UK waste carrier register lists approved dealers, and separating the copper heat exchanger can increase your payout to £30-£50.
The scrap value depends on the boiler's copper content, weight, and whether you separate metals. A standard combi with 2.5 kg copper yields £10-£20, while a regular boiler with 3.5 kg copper can reach £30, according to the Energy Saving Trust boiler database.
Selling a boiler for scrap is worth it if you can separate the copper yourself, yielding up to £50. For a standard combi, the payout of £10-£20 may not outweigh the effort of transport and disposal, per DESNZ energy consumption data.
Yes, most scrap yards accept old boilers if you have a valid waste carrier licence or proof of origin. GOV.UK advises checking your local council tip fees first, as disposal costs can range from £0 to £20.
