How much does air duct and vent cleaning cost?

Air duct cleaning cost

The average cost of air duct cleaning is $300 to $700. Duct and vent cleaning costs $25 to $45 per vent or $0.15 to $0.25 per square foot. Air duct sanitizing costs $70 to $150 more to prevent mold growth. Air duct inspection costs $80 to $180. Dryer vent cleaning costs $80 to $185.

*Based on 1,934 project costs reported by HomeGuide members.

• Air duct cleaning takes 2 to 4 hours on average.
• Pros suggest cleaning ductwork every 3 to 7 years to improve system efficiency.
• Air duct cleaning should include cleaning the supply and return air ducts, grills, plenum, register vent covers, and the furnace or AC blower.
• Prices depend on the ductwork size, number of vents, contamination level, climatic region, and vent accessibility.

Average cost of air duct cleaning

The average cost of duct cleaning is $300 to $700 per system. Duct cleaners either charge per system, per vent, or per square footage of the home.

Vent cleaning cost

Vent cleaning costs $25 to $45 per supply vent and $40 to $75 per return vent. Duct cleaners often charge by the total number of ducts inside the home.

Duct cleaning cost per square foot

Air duct cleaning costs $0.15 to $0.25 per square foot of living space on average. Cleaning ducts for a typical 1,500- to 2,500-square-foot home costs $225 to $625 on average.

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Air duct cleaning prices and factors

Air duct cleaning prices depend on the home’s size, HVAC system size, ductwork size, number of vents, contamination level, climatic region, and vent accessibility.

Additional factors that affect costs include:

• Ductwork condition – Repairing ductwork costs $200 to $700 on average.
• Infestations – Pest control costs $250 to $400 on average to remove rats, mice, and other rodents.
• Air filters – Costs for buying and changing new filters vary significantly according to HVAC system type & size.
• Ductwork type – Various tools and cleaning methods apply for flex, rigid, or foam-board ducts.
• Ductwork configuration – Custom ductwork or hard-to-access areas like crawlspaces or attics increase labor.
• Job extent – Cleaning out additional HVAC items such as heat exchangers, coils, drain pans, and fans costs more.

Residential home vs. commercial air duct cleaning cost

Commercial air duct cleaning costs $75 to $150 per hour, or 30% to 60% more than residential duct cleaning. Labor time increases in commercial buildings with hard-to-access custom ductwork, larger HVAC systems, and higher system usage.

Air duct sanitizing and mold removal cost

Mold removal in air ducts costs $450 to $6,000 on average, depending on the contamination level. Air duct sanitizing costs $70 to $150, which prevents further mold and mildew growth. Most duct cleaning doesn’t remove all mold, and severe cases require mold remediation specialists.

Air duct inspection cost

An air duct inspection costs $80 to $180 on average. Part of the cost applies towards duct cleaning if using the same company. Inspections typically use a video camera inside the ductwork to check for damage, pests, insulation issues, mold, debris, and dust buildup.

Dryer vent cleaning

Dryer vent cleaning costs $80 to $185 on average, or $40 to $100 extra with whole-house duct cleaning. Cleaning a roof-exit dryer vent costs $165 to $250. Cleaning dryer vents make the dryer last longer, run more efficiently, and reduces fire risk.

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Ductwork and vent cleaning cost by location

The following table shows average ductwork cleaning costs by location:

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HVAC duct cleaning costs by service

HVAC duct cleaning services cost $200 to $800 on average. Stanley Steemer and Sears charge per vent, while COIT, Duct Doctor, and Zerorez charge a flat rate per HVAC system.

Stanley Steemer duct cleaning cost

Stanley Steemer air duct cleaning costs $400 to $650 on average. Stanley Steemer dryer vent cleaning costs $50 to $150. Stanley Steemer has NADCA-certified technicians that use HEPA-filtered vacuums to clean the ductwork, furnace evaporator coil, and blower and vent covers.

Sears air duct cleaning cost

Sears duct cleaning costs $200 to $500 on average, depending on the number of vents. Dryer vent cleaning costs $90 when combined with duct cleaning or $190 as a standalone service. Sears offers free system inspections and uses HEPA-filtered vacuums.

COIT duct cleaning prices

COIT duct cleaning prices are $400 to $600 on average. Dryer vent cleaning costs $140 to $160. COIT follows NADCA standards and offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee to reclean, fix, or refund purchases.

Zerorez air duct cleaning cost

Zerorez air duct cleaning costs $350 to $500 on average. Dryer vent cleaning costs $100 to $150 per vent, depending on if it’s a standalone service or combined with duct cleaning. Zerorez uses a powerful whip-line cleaning system and provides camera footage before and after cleaning.

Duct Doctor cost

Duct doctor costs $500 to $700 on average for ductwork cleaning, depending on the number of HVAC units. Dryer vent cleaning costs $160 to $180 per vent. Duct doctor offers residential and commercial duct cleaning services with NADCA certified technicians.

Servpro air duct cleaning cost

Servpro air duct cleaning costs $200 to $800 on average. Servpro offers both residential and commercial cleaning services nationwide, including professional mold removal and water damage restoration.

Four Seasons air duct cleaning cost

Four Seasons air duct cleaning costs $600 to $750 per system on average. All their duct cleaners are NADCA certified, use a 3-stage HEPA-filtration vacuum system, and have upfront pricing with free in-home estimates. Four Seasons serves Chicago and Indiana and offers 24/7 service.

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Furnace and AC cleaning costs

Extra duct cleaning costs apply depending on how many central air conditioning units or furnaces an HVAC system has.

Heating system cleaning cost

Furnace and heating system cleaning costs $70 to $300, depending on the fuel type. Heat pump cleaning costs $80 to $300 on average. Pros recommended cleaning central heating systems annually. A tune-up includes vacuuming the internal housing, cleaning the blower, and changing filters.

*Prices don’t include cleaning attached ducts.

Air handler cleaning cost

Air handler cleaning costs $75 to $400 on average. Servicing the air handler typically involves cleaning coils, blower parts, duct connections, flushing out the condensation drain pan, and changing the filters. Additional charges apply for hard-to-reach air handlers in attics.

Condenser and evaporator coil cleaning cost

Cleaning condenser and evaporator coils costs $80 to $370 extra on average, depending on the AC unit’s size and accessibility. Contractors typically offer discounts when combining coil cleaning with duct cleaning.

Benefits of cleaning AC coils:

• Extend the lifespan of the parts.
• Prevent mold growth on the evaporator coils.
• Lower utility bills by improving the unit’s energy efficiency.

Replacing an evaporator coil costs $675 to $1,300, while replacing a condenser coil costs $1,900 to $2,900.

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Is air duct cleaning worth it?

Air duct cleaning is worth it to save 10% to 30% on utility bills when maintenance includes changing filters, servicing all attached HVAC units, and eliminating contaminant sources. Cleaning air ducts also helps HVAC systems last longer and purify air better to reduce allergy symptoms.

What is duct cleaning?

Air duct cleaning removes all dirt, debris, pollutants, and hazardous materials from the entire ductwork ventilation system and all its heating and cooling system components. Air duct cleaning increases HVAC efficiency and can improve indoor air quality.

Professionals clean air ducts through these steps:

1. Inspecting ducts to check for hazardous materials
2. Spreading out drop cloths to protect home areas near vents while cleaning
3. Attaching a high-powered HEPA-filtered vacuum and blower to ducts
4. Dislodging debris inside the ducts
5. Extracting all dust and debris through the vacuum hose into an outside truck
6. Cleaning all supply and return vents

How often should you clean air ducts?

The National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) advises cleaning air ducts every 3 to 5 years. Other HVAC pros suggest cleaning every 5 to 7 years with well-sealed ducts. Cleaning frequency depends on duct conditions, climate, system usage, number of residents, and if people have respiratory issues.

Is air duct cleaning necessary?

Air duct cleaning is necessary and not a waste of money when excess dust or debris blocks the airflow, or when mold, mildew, or pest infestations are inside ducts. Cleaning ducts also effectively helps remove smells in homes with pets or smokers.

How long does air duct cleaning take?

Air duct cleaning takes 2 to 4 hours on average for a 2-person crew to clean one complete system. Larger or older homes take 3 to 6 hours. Cleaning times increase for homes with pets, complex HVAC systems, or contamination issues with mold, pests, or asbestos.

Do you tip vent cleaners?

You don’t need to tip vent cleaners, and some company policies don’t allow HVAC cleaners to accept tips. Most people offer workers drinks and restroom access. If the duct cleaning company performed an outstanding service, they appreciate a $10 to $20 tip.

How to tell if air ducts need cleaning

Air ducts need cleaning if these signs appear:

• Mold growth around vent covers
• Excess dust in the home
• Visible dust blowing out of the vents
• Rodent droppings or chewed areas around ducts
• Abnormally high utility bills
• Air filters clog up in less than a month
• Debris and dust collect near supply vents or in registers
• Inconsistent airflow in each vent
• Increased respiratory problems
• Unusual sounds when the HVAC blower runs
• Dust buildup on the furnace blower fan, furnace motor, or AC coils
• Musty smells in air vents

Does duct cleaning reduce household dust?

Duct cleaning does reduce household dust, but only if it came from leaky ductwork without air filters. Ducts are just one possible dust source. However, dust inside well-sealed and filtered air ducts shouldn’t enter home interiors. The EPA hasn’t proven that duct cleaning reduces health problems.

Reduce household dust effectively by:

• Installing a whole-house air purifier costs $400 to $4,000 on average.
• Using a vacuum with a high-efficiency particulate air filter, or HEPA filter
• Installing high-quality HVAC air filters on return vents
• Fixing all leaky ducts that take in attic or basement dust
• Putting screens on open windows and doors

Can air duct cleaning cause damage?

Air duct cleaning causes damages and lowers air quality when cleaners don’t use proper tools or methods. Cleaning flexible heat ducts requires a high-power vacuum and soft brush powered by compressed air—otherwise, the thin liner embedded inside flex ducts tears and leaks.

Damages caused by poor cleaning include:

• Tearing holes in flex-duct walls
• Loose duct connections that leak air
• Mold growth inside ducts from using wet sponges
• Releasing pollen, dust, and allergens into the home's air
• Ripping off insulation inside ducts
• Broken seals around vent openings
• Fiberglass fibers from damaged liner spreading to contaminate indoor air

Can you clean air ducts yourself?

A licensed professional with high-power vacuums, rotary brushes, and other special equipment is necessary to clean air ducts thoroughly. Improper DIY duct cleaning damages the ducts, insulation, lining, and all connections in the HVAC system.

Decrease the need for duct cleanings by:

• Vacuuming around registers, duct openings, vent grills, and furnaces regularly
• Changing fiberglass air duct filters every 1 to 3 months
• Replacing pleated air filters every 3 to 6 months
• Removing metal vent covers for cleaning every 3 to 6 months
• Using a home air-purifier system
• Keeping air vents open as much as possible
• Checking ducts for leaks annually
• Cleaning AC coils annually
• Sealing ducts during renovations to keep out dust

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Getting air duct cleaning cost estimates

Hiring a professional vent cleaning service is necessary to prevent duct damage and improper cleaning that can worsen things.

Use this checklist when getting air duct cleaning cost estimates:

• Compare three or more bids from experienced vent cleaners.
• Choose air vent cleaning companies satisfying these licensing requirements:
  • Air conditioners license, required in some states
  • Certified by the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA)
  • Mechanical contractors license
• Select licensed, insured, and bonded air duct cleaning service providers.
• Review their ratings on HomeGuide, Google, and the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
• Verify the estimates include material, labor, and equipment costs.
• Never pay in full upfront.
• Beware of scams or cheap and quick bids that signal low-quality cleaning.

Cheap air duct cleaning scams

Warning signs of a duct-cleaning scam:

• Cheap air duct cleaning ads of $49 to $99 for a whole house, with hidden add-on costs
• False “EPA-certified” claims when the EPA doesn’t certify anyone
• Guarantees to finish cleaning within 1 to 2 hours
• Charging extra for mold removal without showing evidence of mold
• Contractors without licensing proof or NADCA certification

Questions to ask duct cleaners

• How long have you been cleaning ducts?
• Can I see a list of your references?
• Do you inspect ducts with a video camera to show conditions before and after cleaning?
• Does your initial inspection include checking for asbestos and mold?
• Will you make additional duct-access points besides register and grate openings? If so, how will you seal them after cleaning?
• Do you use a vacuum designed specifically for ductwork cleaning?
• How do you ensure that your equipment doesn’t damage ducts?
• Will you use a vacuum truck to collect all debris outside?
• How will you clean debris caked onto the interior duct walls?
• Do you use disinfectants after cleaning, and are they non-toxic?
• Can you use drop cloths and plastic guards to keep my home clean?
• Do you offer a labor guarantee, and what does it include?
• Can I see proof of your liability insurance, licenses, and bond guarantees?
• What extra costs may apply?
• Do you charge per vent or offer flat rates?
• Are all cleanup costs and debris disposals included in my estimate?
• Will you clean my entire ductwork system, the furnace, AC vents, and registers?
• When can you start and how long will the job take?
• How do you handle unexpected delays?
• Do you maintain negative pressure in ducts to prevent spreading dust in my home?
• Will you encapsulate mold or asbestos inside ducts?
• Can you provide a copy of the contract before starting?

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