How Much Does Air Duct Cleaning Cost? [2024 Data]
Normal range: $268 - $493
Air duct cleaning costs $380 on average, but ranges between $150 and $794, depending on your region, the size and type of ductwork, and the number of vents.
Air duct cleaning costs $380 on average, but can range between $150 and $794. Air ducts play an essential role in your home’s air quality. Without them, air can’t circulate through your home. And since ducts filter out the impurities before we breathe anything in, cleaning them is necessary to combat the debris accumulated over time.
Let’s review the factors behind professional HVAC cleaning costs and how to budget your next project.
- Average
- $380
- Low end
- $150
- high end
- $794
Air Duct Cleaning Cost Factors
The price you'll pay to hire someone to clean your air ducts depends on the size of your home and ductwork, accessibility, and labor costs in your area.
Cost by Square Footage
The more ductwork you have, the more you'll pay for cleaning. Some local air duct cleaners base their price on the property’s square footage, based on the theory that the larger your home is, the more ductwork you'll have.
The cost of cleaning ductwork is $0.15 to $0.30 per square foot. So, to clean vents in a typical 1,500-square-foot house, expect to pay between $180 and $360.
Let's break down the average duct cleaning cost based on the size of your home.
| Size (Square Feet) | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| 1,000 | $140–$250 |
| 1,200 | $180–$360 |
| 1,500 | $225–$450 |
| 2,000 | $300–$600 |
| 3,000 | $450–$900 |
Number of Vents
As with ductwork, the more vents you have, the more it’ll cost to clean them.
Typically, vents cost $35 each to clean, with most homeowners paying between $25 and $50 per vent. To get a ballpark estimate for the cost of vent cleaning, count the vents in your home and multiply that by $35.
| Number of Vents | Cost |
|---|---|
| 8 | $200–$400 |
| 12 | $300–$600 |
| 16 | $400–$800 |
| 20 | $500–$1,000 |
Type of Ductwork
If you have flex ducts, expect to pay toward the upper end of the range. Unlike metal ducts, flex ducts require specialist cleaning equipment, so this service commands a higher price. Rigid metal ducts are easy to clean with a vacuum, air hose, or power brush, so they tend to cost less to clean.
Labor Cost
Most ductwork pros charge by the hour, with duct cleaning services typically priced between $90 and $125 per hour. Depending on the size of your home, the type of ductwork you have, and how accessible the ducts are, most cleaning jobs require three to eight hours of labor.
Accessibility
If you ensure that vents are easy to reach with vacuuming equipment, accessibility shouldn’t be a problem. But some ductwork designs make accessing them difficult, especially if you don’t have floor vents. If air duct technicians have to work harder or take additional steps to reach your vents, it may result in additional labor charges.
Inspections
Some vent problems, like noticeable mold or nests, don’t require an inspection before cleaning. However, if you aren’t sure about the state of your vents, consider arranging a professional inspection for an honest assessment. These inspections are often bundled together as part of a HVAC inspection, which costs an average of $300 but can fall under $100 for simple systems.
Level of Cleanliness or Contamination
Duct cleaning is offered as a package with set labor costs, but extremely dirty jobs will cost extra. If the ducts have never been cleaned and need a lot of work to remove dust and buildup, expect additional fees. Keep in mind that use of specialized services and tools, such as manual cleaning to tackle major messes, will cost extra, and you may be referred to a specialist like a pest control or mold remediation service.
Household Habits
Some living situations are harder on ductwork than others. A house where people frequently smoke will lead to dirtier ductwork that you will need to clean more often. In addition, a house with several pets can create a lot of dander and hair that flows into your air vents, meaning your ducts may need more attention.
Air Duct Contamination Removal Costs
Alongside the standard cost factors, sometimes other, more unexpected issues occur (sometimes literally, in the case of rodents). You’ll need to handle these issues during the duct cleaning to ensure the air in your home is clean and healthy, but it will increase the project cost.
Pest Removal
As pets, friendly rodents aren’t a threat. But things get a bit dicey when unwanted critters are running through your ducts. The cost of hiring a pest control service to remove pests ranges from $100 to $260, depending on the size and type of infestation.
If you notice any signs of vermin in your ducts, you need to hire an exterminator to get rid of them. The cost of rodent removal ranges between $200 and $1,200. Unfortunately, this extra step will add to your duct cleaning costs since a pro can’t tackle your ducts until they are critter-free.
Mold and Mildew Removal
We can all agree that seeing mold around the house is unpleasant. But its presence could also warrant a rise in air duct cleaning costs. You may have mold in your air ducts if household members experience symptoms like wheezing, hives, or other respiratory problems.
You’ll need to add mold remediation costs, which range from $1,100 to $3,400, on top of your duct-cleaning cost. Although costly, it’s a great way to ensure your home’s air quality remains pristine.
Asbestos Removal
Removing asbestos costs $5 to $20 per square foot. Asbestos is a significant and dangerous health hazard, so if you suspect asbestos, book a professional inspection right away. If your duct cleaning pro spots asbestos in the ducts, they'll stop work immediately and won't be able to resume until you hire a local asbestos removal pro to get rid of the problem.
Accessibility
Depending on your home’s size and layout, a utility room may make it easier for a professional to access the central air handler. Still, access points located in a crawl space could be more challenging to get the job done and enhance costs. What you’ll pay will depend on your location, the contractor, and the job size.
Common Air Duct Cleaning Cost Add-Ons
On occasion, dirty air ducts are a sign of something off-kilter in the rest of your HVAC system. These add-on services can ensure that you avoid ending up with dirtier-than-usual air ducts or costlier problems on your hands down the line.
Video Inspection
An air duct inspection is a great way to determine whether your ducts need cleaning, the level of contamination, and indications of any other potential problems. Most people pay between $70 and $130 for a video inspection, but this service can also be bundled with an annual HVAC inspection or service.
Preventative Sprays
Applying sprays or coatings is a common add-on service to maintain duct health after a cleaning. This step isn’t necessary (except in cases of mold) but it’s a frequent addition to air duct cleaning packages. These sprays can include:
Deodorizers: These sprays help remove unpleasant smells, which is helpful if an animal died in the ductwork or there’s lingering smoke damage.
Disinfectant sprays: This spray option can help remove lingering bacteria from your home’s airflow.
Fungicides: These sprays can help remove final traces of mold or mildew and prevent them from growing on duct surfaces in the future.
Furnace Cleaning
Many top HVAC-cleaning companies will combine air duct cleaning with other HVAC services, such as cleaning related parts around your furnace. Cleaning your furnace filters, vent covers, and related ductwork will cost between $60 and $150 per furnace. Your HVAC pro will also take a moment to inspect items like wiring, burners, and valves.
Air Conditioning Repairs
Imbalances and faulty parts in your central air conditioner can lead to condensation and even mold in your air ducts, but the issue can stem from various problems. AC repairs cost $350 on average, but costs can reach into the thousands for replacements of major parts. Fixing a leak, for example, will cost between $220 and $1,600, whereas replacing the air handler can cost as much as $5,600.
Air Conditioner Maintenance
Annual air conditioner maintenance can ensure that your system is still efficiently cooling off your home. On average, a basic AC tune-up costs between $75 and $200, though there are some tasks you can complete on your own for less. Change your AC filter in just minutes, or install a new thermostat for the cost of parts and basic household tools.
Dryer Vent Cleaning
If you incorporate dryer vent cleaning with your air duct cleaning service, it'll cost about $100. As a standalone service, dryer vent cleaning costs between $100 and $170. While seemingly minor, a clean dryer vent boosts appliance efficiency, enhances drying performance, and reduces fire risk.
Air Duct Coating
Coating air ducts cost $180 to $630 on average. The pro applies a protective substance to the inside of the ductwork that prevents dust and grime particles from circulating back into your home.
Air Duct Repairs
Repairing air ducts costs between $200 and $800. During a video inspection or a cleaning service, your pro may spot issues that need attention. If you catch these issues early, they'll cost less than if you wait until they're a significant problem. Plus, if your air ducts need repair, they won't perform as efficiently, costing you more in energy consumption.
Signs It’s Time to Clean Your Air Ducts
It's easy to fall into the trap of out of sight, out of mind, but just because you can’t see the dust and dirt in your air ducts doesn’t mean it isn’t there.
Thankfully, there are some telltale ways to know it's time to clean your air ducts. While it's best to stay on a consistent schedule with your HVAC pro, here are some signs that your ducts need a sweep sooner than usual.
Increased allergy symptoms inside your home
Higher-than-usual utility bills, particularly in the hot and cold times of the year
Visible dust buildup on the outside of your air vents
Frequent dust buildup around your home despite cleanings
Rattling, humming, or popping sounds coming from your HVAC
Signs of pests or rodent droppings around your vents
Weaker airflow from your ducts when the system is on
Musty and moldy smells throughout your home
Visible signs of mold in or around your air ducts
Mold or mildew often signifies moisture in your air ducts, which can lead to rust and corrosion as well. It’s important to call in an HVAC specialist to investigate the cause of the moisture and schedule a cleaning.
The Pros and Cons of Air Duct Cleaning
Cleaning your air ducts can improve indoor air quality better than you could probably do on your own—and in less time. Removing dust, allergens, and contaminants allows those with respiratory issues to breathe easier. Duct cleaning may also enhance HVAC system efficiency, potentially lowering your energy bills.
However, the cost of professional cleaning can be substantial, and poorly performed cleaning can damage ducts or redistribute pollutants. Some people also say they don’t see a significant change in air quality or their respiratory health, so the health benefits of air duct cleaning aren’t entirely proven.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Better air quality | High-cost |
| Improved efficiency | Possible HVAC damage |
| Quick HVAC service | Unproven benefits |
Cleaning an Air Duct Yourself vs. Hiring a Professional
If you choose to clean your home’s air ducts yourself, you’ll need a few supplies and some prior knowledge of the air duct system. The most expensive tools to buy are the ladder and vacuum, which can cost between $100 and $400, depending on the brand. Everything else, such as goggles, a bristle brush, masks, and rags, will cost $10 to $30.
Depending on your air ducts, you could save between $200 and $500 if you opt to clean the air ducts yourself. Although you may save some money (and we appreciate your DIY prowess), hiring a professional for this job is the safer option because it guarantees a job well done.
Local air duct cleaners will use tools specifically designed for the job. A shop vacuum would be ill-equipped to handle the work, and other tools may cause damage to your ductwork.
How to Save Money When Cleaning Air Ducts
If air duct cleaning costs feel a little stiff, there are a few ways to reduce what you’ll pay for the service and how often. For instance, you can:
Vacuum around duct openings, registers, vent grills, and the furnace routinely
Change air filters every few months
Use a home air purifier system
Clean AC coils regularly
Have ducts inspected annually
Do extensive research on duct cleaning professionals
Get multiple quotes
Katy Willis and Veroinca Sparks contributed to this piece.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that there's no conclusive evidence to show that dirty or dusty air ducts increase dust and airborne particles in your home or pose any risk to your health. On the other hand, your air ducts require cleaning if there's any mold or mildew, you have a rodent or insect infestation, or you have clogged ducts. Regular air duct cleaning will also extend the life of your HVAC system, leading to less frequent repairs and preventing premature replacement in the future.
Spring and fall are the most popular seasons for duct cleaning. Many often focus on spring cleaning and pre-winter home tasks to get ready to turn on their AC or heater. However, there is no wrong time to hire an HVAC pro to clean your air ducts, and you may even save some money by hiring them when they are in less demand. Just remember that they will need to turn your system off for several hours when cleaning, so it's best not to book it on freezing cold or scorching hot days.
The EPA claims ducts only need cleaning if the above signs become an issue in your household. But the NADCA states that you should clean your air ducts every three to five years to prevent any problems with your HVAC system.
Because air ducts can irritate those with asthma or respiratory issues, you’ll need to consider your health situation to decide if this is worth the expense. (Hint: It usually is.)
Professional air duct cleaning takes two to five hours, depending on the size of your home and the extent of the cleaning. The ductwork in standard homes with total square footage of 1,500 to 2,000 will take closer to two hours. Larger homes with extensive return and supply ductwork—often over 3,000 square feet—can push up to five hours. Keep in mind that related cleanings and repairs in your HVAC system will add to this total and may require two visits.
Dirty ducts can pose problems, especially if mold starts growing or pests take up residence. But the EPA and others agree that there is no strict evidence that cleaning air ducts can improve an allergy condition. Some dust in air ducts is normal and is unlikely to be the cause of allergies or other health problems. In other words, check with your doctor to pinpoint the cause and potential solutions for allergies.
You won’t have to do much to prepare for air duct cleaning. Make sure your vents are easy to access, and move any nearby furniture or other objects out of the way. If you have a furnace or air conditioner unit, ensure they are easily accessible. And if you have a pet, make plans to get them out of the house, if possible. Vent vacuuming can be loud and requires access to all rooms, so you may want to take extra steps for pet safety.