(small to medium air duct system cleaning)
(complex duct cleaning, mold remediation)
Cost to clean air ducts varies greatly by region (and even by zip code).
Get free estimates from chimney, duct and vent cleaning contractors in your city.
The average cost of cleaning air ducts is $750 - $1,000.
Your heating and cooling system is composed of multiple parts, including air ducts that push air through the house. Air duct cleaning involves removing dust, debris, and mold from both the air ducts and the heating and cooling components, such as the blower 1, condensing coils, and air vents.
Air ducts recirculate air repeatedly, and that may mean circulating dust and even mold. This can exacerbate allergies and possibly create breathing problems in the future. Cleaning a complex air duct system will cost $750-$1,600, which may also include the cost of pest control services (a common reason to clean the ductwork).
Like many home services, having your air ducts cleaned has its pros and cons. While it is an added expense and a slight inconvenience to your everyday living, it also ensures that your air ducts are not pushing through particles that you don’t need to breathe in. Having your air ducts cleaned every few years and inspected annually will help you stay ahead of problems before they escalate.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Removes mold Removes excess dust and debris May help reduce allergy symptoms | May take up to a day Requires annual system inspection |
There are several signs that your air ducts need to be cleaned, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA):
There are several factors involved in providing a cost estimate for your air duct cleaning. One major factor is the size of your system. Larger, more complex systems will take more time to clean and will therefore cost more. Furnace components will also need to be cleaned, so the pros will have to factor in the cost of cleaning multiple furnaces. The location of your air duct system is also a factor, the harder it is to reach, the more expensive the cleanup.
Asbestos 2 is a separate issue that may need to be addressed in certain homes. If asbestos is present it will need to be removed. Asbestos removal varies in cost based on the scope of the removal project, but you can anticipate paying $200 to $700.
It’s possible that there may be mold in your air ducts, but it will need to be tested to verify. A small mold test costs about $50. The air duct cleaning process may remove mold from that specific location, but total mold remediation is a separate service that is applied to the whole house and ranges from $500 to $6,000 depending on the scope of the mold problem.
Air duct cleaning generally refers to the HVAC air ducts, but there is a separate service that involves cleaning the air ducts of your dryer’s exhaust system.
Cleaning service | Frequency | Who does it? |
---|---|---|
HVAC air duct cleaning ($450-$1,600) | As needed | HVAC professional |
($90-$160) | Annually | Dryer exhaust technician |
Some companies charge for air duct cleaning by the hour ($90-$125), and the amount of time it takes depends on the complexity of your project. Other professionals will charge a flat rate for the whole service, but be wary of scams. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. For example, a company advertising a “Whole Home Air Duct Cleaning” for $99 is not a reasonable estimate and you will probably not get any benefits from the cleaning process.
Air duct cleaning means more than just cleaning the ducts themselves. An experienced professional will know to clean all components of your system. The cleaning process may involve loosening and vacuuming debris and dust, applying EPA-approved cleaners to the ductwork and air duct components. The blowers 1, plenums, air vents, and cooling components will all need to be cleaned. This is particularly important if you have evidence of mold, if so, leaving parts unclean may lead to mold returning quickly.
In order to avoid clogging your air ducts with dust after everything has been cleaned, make sure you do the following:
There are some national companies that specialize in these types of cleaning services. See how they compare:
Service provider | Cost |
---|---|
Sears | $150 for biannual HVAC inspection, not including air duct cleaning |
Stanley Steemer | $500 or more, depending on the number of furnaces or vents |
Coit | $500 or more, depending on the number of vents and furnaces |
Depending on your home, your air ducts may be harder to access. A video inspection is an easy way to look for signs your ducts need cleaning. This may be part of a regular HVAC inspection, or it may be part of a more extensive cleaning process, which can cost as much as $1,000.
An HVAC inspection or cleaning may reveal that the ducts need more than a cleaning. Repairs can range from inexpensive sensors ($10-$20) to motors and pumps ($500-$600). Services such as duct sealing are charged by the hour ($90-$125). The price to fully replace an HVAC system, including parts and labor, is approximately $10,000-$14,000.
A related service is your annual furnace maintenance, which includes some cleaning but not necessarily full duct cleaning. Air ducts don’t need to be fully cleaned every year, but annual furnace maintenance will ensure better efficiency. Furnace maintenance includes a visual inspection of the furnace, ducts, and wiring. An HVAC professional can do the inspection, which takes about an hour (not including repairs), and costs $90-$125. That does not include any necessary repairs.
Parts of the air conditioning unit will also need periodic cleaning. The evaporator and condensing coils get dirty and less efficient over time. And HVAC professional can clean these and charge by the hour ($90-$125 per hour).
It’s possible that mold may be present in the air ducts. If that’s the case, mold may be present in other parts of the house. Air duct cleaning will be limited to the air ducts and connected areas and can remove mold from those specific places. Mold remediation is a more in-depth service that identifies all sources of mold and eliminates not just the mold but also what causes it. Mold remediation ranges from $500-$6,000 depending on the severity and complexity of the mold problem.
The better question is, “can you afford to not clean your air ducts?” Dirty air ducts may mean breathing in mold and other particles that impact your ability to breathe. This can create even more health issues if you have asthma or allergies.
It depends on the complexity of your air duct system, but the cost to clean air ducts ranges from $450 to $1,600.
An annual inspection will help you determine if your ducts need cleaning. A visual inspection may also show signs of mold on hard surfaces. If you have pets, air ducts should be cleaned regularly, and if you have had a vermin problem you should have your ducts cleaned after the vermin have been eradicated.
Clean air ducts mean you breathe in cleaner air. However, you don’t need to have it done annually. It’s only a waste of money if you have them cleaned when it’s not needed.
The average household should have air ducts cleaned every few years as needed. Houses with a recurring vermin problem, recurring mold, or lots of pets will need to have them cleaned more regularly.
Cost to clean air ducts varies greatly by region (and even by zip code). To get free estimates from local contractors, please indicate yours.