yes,you need an contractor that installs.i recomend either a natural gas furnace or one of the new heat pumps,think of at least 2,500 dollars and besure to route the intake pipe in the hallway ceiling and add in floor vents in each room,you will love it if you can afford an electronic air cleaner on the furnance as your home will be completely insect and dust free.

You could replace it with a high efficiency boiler system. Check out the boilers page at my source. The cost depends on the size and the amount of work required. To find the proper size you should have a load calculation performed. For more info check out the load calculation page at my source.

Asbestos is, as you know, an environmental and health hazzard. Your heating contractor must be certified to handle, and dispose of this.

Next, the cost of a new energy efficient boiler will be determinded by the energy rating. A 90% efficient boiler is cheaper than a 98% Efficinet boiler.

I would guess that it will cost you in the neighborhood of $15.000.oo to $20,000.oo to dispose of the old asbestos impregnated boiler, and have a new energy efficinet boiler installed. It will actually cost as much or maybe even a little more to remove the old system, as it costs to install a new one, due to the hazzardous waste costs!

I’d switch to propane or natural gas for one. We replaced our furnace a year ago. $6000.00. Ours was forced air. Yours is water heat. I’d get 2 or 3 estimates. Good luck.