How Much Does Air Duct Cleaning Cost In 2024?

Some professional duct cleaners measure the costs by the number of vents that need to be cleaned. Air duct vent cleaning costs range between $25 and $50 per supply vent. The average price per vent is $35. To get an estimate for the cost of air duct cleaning, multiply the number of vents in your home by $35.

Some air duct cleaning companies base their prices on the property’s square footage, as larger homes are likely to have more ductwork. On average, air duct cleaning companies charge between $0.15 and $0.30 per square foot. Some companies offer a fixed price for cleaning up to a certain square footage and charge an additional fee for any extra square footage.

Labor is a primary cost factor when gathering estimates for duct cleaning. Professionals charge anywhere from $70 to $130 per hour, depending on experience level. As a matter of fact, labor is the most expensive part of this whole project, as contractors typically own the required equipment.

It takes anywhere from three to eight hours for a pro to complete a duct-cleaning job, which varies according to the size of your home, the type of ductwork you have, accessibility concerns and just how dirty your ducts are.

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Air duct cleaning is important for the overall health and efficiency of your heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system. Some definitive cost factors tend to impact the price of cleaning your air ducts.

Number of Vents

If you have an excessive number of vents, expect an increase in cleaning costs to accommodate the extra labor. Most homeowners pay around $25 to $50 per vent as part of the overall cleaning process, though it depends on the specific contractor as to how this shows up on your bill. In other words, some professionals wrap up the vents in the overall project cost and others charge by the vent. For an approximate price, count the vents in your home and multiply that number by $35.

Condition of the Ducts

The condition of the ducts impacts the cleaning costs, as dirty or damaged ducts require specialized procedures and associated repairs. For instance, patching up a hole costs around $250 and repairing a leak averages $500. Some older ducts may even have significant levels of asbestos, depending on when the house was built. Hiring a pro to remove asbestos costs $5 to $20 per square foot.

Mold

If your ducts were exposed to moisture via leaks or even from the outside, mold and mildew are a distinct possibility. If your pro finds either when cleaning the ducts, they’ll recommend professional remediation services.

Removing mold costs an average of $2.50 per square foot. If the entire length of ductwork is ridden with mold, you’ll pay $1,100 to $3,400 for removal services. This is costly, but mold spores pumping through your HVAC system is incredibly dangerous, so this project is worth every penny.

Rodents

Rodents like mice and rats aren’t the biggest threat in the world, but you don’t want these pests in your ducts, for obvious health reasons. If your pro finds evidence of a rodent infestation during the cleaning process, they’ll likely stop and recommend an exterminator. Hiring an exterminator to remove rodents costs $200 to $1,200 and this price fluctuates according to the severity of the problem.

Accessibility

The above labor costs assume that your ducts are accessible and easy to get to via entry points in the basement or utility room and exposed ductwork in the attic and other locations. If your ducts are difficult to reach, the labor costs increase by 10% to 20%. If your access point is in a tight crawl space, for instance, it increases the cleaning time and the price.

Some contractors are used to tight spaces, so accessibility concerns vary from pro to pro. Make sure to ask your potential contractor about their preferences so you can find the right person for your project.

Experience and Qualifications of Cleaners

As always, pros with gobs of experience charge more than those still learning the trade. As mentioned earlier, ductwork pros charge $70 to $130 per hour. Hiring an experienced contractor with plenty of relevant qualifications costs anywhere from $100 to $130 per hour, while pros with less experience charge $70 to $100 per hour. Of course, this varies depending on the company and its in-house contractors.

Type of Ductwork

Ducts are made from a wide variety of materials and each requires a specialized cleaning process, with some duct types more expensive than others. Rigid ducts are easy to clean with a vacuum or hose, as the rigidity allows these tools to quickly get the job done. Flex ducts are more difficult and time-consuming to clean, so you’ll end up in the upper tier of the typical price range, as they require specialized equipment.

Foam board and fiberglass ducts land somewhere in the middle.

Beyond labor, duct type, home size and related criteria, there are additional costs associated with air duct cleaning. Here are some.

Video Inspection

Hiring a home inspector to check on your ducts costs $75 to $125 if done on its own, but many HVAC pros wrap up the costs as part of the cleaning process. These inspections use video cameras to move along the ductwork to check for dust buildup, debris, mold, insulation problems, damage, pests and more. It’s highly recommended to have this done every year.

Repair or Replacement

It costs $175 to $2,000 to repair air ducts, though this depends on the extent of the damage and the size of your home. If your pro must identify and fix multiple leaks throughout the entire system, expect to pay more.

On the other hand, replacing an entire system of ductwork costs $500 to $5,600, and this also depends on the size of your home and the required length of ductwork. For instance, a small one-bedroom home will be a more budget-friendly replacement project than a large estate with multiple bedrooms.

Air Duct Coating

The HVAC world has advanced in recent years and one such innovation is air duct coating products. These sealants help keep your ducts cleaner for longer periods of time, as they resist dust and debris. It costs anywhere from $180 to $630 to add an air duct coating, though you could get a discount if you do this at the time of the cleaning.

Not every pro offers these products, as they are somewhat controversial. These products could decrease the natural fire-resistant qualities of fiberglass and other common duct materials.

The ventilation system, specifically the air ducts, serves as a hidden pathway for air circulation throughout your space, and neglecting its cleanliness can lead to dust, dirt and contaminants. However, many people overlook the importance of cleaning the ventilation system. Going beyond the surface to clean the air ducts can help to improve your home’s air quality and enhance your HVAC system’s efficiency.

Better Air Quality

Consistently cleaning your air ducts can enhance the quality of your home’s indoor air by eliminating the build-up of dust, dirt, mold and other harmful substances that accumulate over time. This also ensures that these negative pollutants do not circulate throughout your home.

Improved Efficiency

Having clean air ducts is a key factor to having your HVAC system working efficiently. The system can run more smoothly when ducts are free from obstructions and debris, improving energy efficiency. This, in turn, can result in cost savings on energy bills and extend the lifespan of your HVAC system.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency recommends having your ducts cleaned when needed. Generally speaking, pros recommend that you have your air ducts cleaned every three to five years, depending on how efficient your HVAC system is. Newer systems can likely go five years, while those with older systems (seven years or more) should err on the side of caution and do it every three years.

As for when to do it, try to book an appointment for spring or early fall, to avoid extreme weather. However, if the ducts are dirty, get them cleaned, even in the thick of winter or dog days of summer.

Air duct maintenance is something to add to your yearly home improvement tasks. Routine maintenance involves inspecting, cleaning and addressing any issues within the air ducts to ensure they remain free from dust, debris and contaminants. Here are some general guidelines for air duct maintenance:

• Regular inspection: Conduct a routine inspection of your air ducts for indications of damage, leaks or blockages. Keep an eye out for the presence of mold, accumulation of dust or any other contaminants.
• Clean air ducts: Schedule periodic professional duct cleaning, especially if there is visible mold, excessive dust or if you notice a musty odor.
• Seal leaks: If you are DIY cleaning your ducts, seal any leaks or gaps you come across. This simple step helps to prevent the escape of conditioned air and enhances energy efficiency.
• Change filters: Frequently replacing or cleaning the air filters in your HVAC system will help improve your home’s air quality.
• Remove obstructions: Ensure that the area surrounding the air vents and registers remains clear of any furniture, curtains or other obstructions that could hinder the airflow. Regularly check and remove any obstructions to maintain optimal airflow in your space.
• Monitor energy usage: Monitoring your energy bills can help you promptly identify an issue with your HVAC system or ductwork.

This is a job best left to qualified HVAC professionals, as it’s not recommended for amateurs to attempt this project. Pros arrive with specialized equipment that drastically shortens the time it takes to clean the ducts. They also have plenty of experience to do the job, which helps avoid damage to the ductwork, lining, insulation and HVAC connections.

If you DIY this job, it’s a distinct possibility to cause damage to a length of ductwork. Contractors will also suss out any other issues as they clean the ducts, like mold, pests, tears and punctures. Finally, pros are licensed and insured, so you are likely to have a smooth experience with no issues.

Deciding whether or not air duct cleaning is worth it can vary based on several factors, including your specific home circumstances, the presence of visible contaminants and individual health considerations.

Some believe cleaning your air ducts can improve indoor air quality by eliminating dust, mold and other particles. Others argue that the benefits of air duct cleaning are often exaggerated. Regular tasks such as changing filters and ensuring a well-maintained HVAC system might be sufficient in many homes. If you have a particularly old home or live with people who have allergies, duct cleaning may be worth it.

It is important to consider the potential benefits of air duct cleaning and seek guidance from professionals who can assess your situation. Consulting with professionals can help determine if cleaning your air ducts is worthwhile.

There are a number of ways to save money when getting your air ducts cleaner than a whistle. Here are a few ways to protect your bank account.

• Gather multiple quotes: There are plenty of skilled HVAC pros out there with varying price ranges. Comparison shop to save money.
• Replace the filters on schedule: You should replace your air filters according to the manufacturer’s instructions, every two to three months. This will help keep the ducts from becoming aggressively dirty, simplifying the cleaning process and lowering the price.
• Complete other maintenance tasks: Are you sensing a pattern? The better shape your HVAC system is in, the cleaner the ducts will be, which will lower the cost of cleaning. Complete regular maintenance tasks, such as hiring inspectors.
• Repair duct damage: Make sure to repair damage quickly, as leaks or punctures will make your ducts dirtier and attract mold and mildew.
• Remember energy savings: This isn’t a cost-saving tip, per se, but you should average energy savings when pricing out duct cleaning services. This will let you know just how much the cleaning process is saving you in the long term.

To arrive at the average costs in this article, editorial team members surveyed a range of providers on national and local levels. All averaged figures were correct at the time of publication and may be subject to change.