How Much Does Air Duct Cleaning Cost?

Air duct cleaning typically costs about $270 to $500, with an average cost of $388. Your cost depends on the number of vents, the type and size of ductwork, and where you live.

How much should I pay for air duct cleaning?

The price you’ll pay for air duct cleaning depends on a number of factors:

• The number of vents you have. Vents usually cost around $35 each to clean but can range from $25 to $50 per vent.

• The amount of ductwork in your home. Because the cost of air duct cleaning is often based on a home’s total square footage. In general, costs run $0.15 to $0.30 per square foot.

• Labor costs. Air duct cleaners often charge $90 to $125 per hour, and an air duct cleaning job typically takes between three and eight hours to complete.

• Accessibility. If your ducts are particularly difficult to access, you may end up with additional labor charges.

• Type of ducts. Cleaning rigid metal ducts typically costs less than cleaning flex ducts because they are relatively simple to clean with basic equipment.

• Location. Duct cleaning services charge more in some regions of the country.

• Add-on services. Video inspections, preventive sprays, air duct coating or repairs will increase your total job cost.

Additionally, if your duct-cleaning service discovers unexpected issues (or infestations) in your ducts, you can expect additional charges. For example:

• Pest removal usually ranges from $100 to $260.

• Rodent removal typically costs between $200 and $1,200.

• Mold and mildew removal can cost between $1,100 and $3,400.

• Asbestos removal generally costs between $5 and $20 per square foot.

Can I clean my own air ducts?

It’s possible to do some air duct cleaning on your own, but beware: generally a DIY approach only cleans the last 10 feet of each duct, you might not be able to dislodge all the debris in your ducts and what you do dislodge may move closer to the vents rather than toward a central unit. You probably won’t get things as clean as a professional can, and you might spread the dirt and germs around rather than remove them in some instances.

If you opt for DIY air duct cleaning, you’ll need a number of tools and supplies, which may include:

• 10-foot extension hose for shop vacuum.

• Dryer vent cleaning brush with a 10-foot extender.

Air duct cleaning advantages

Having your air ducts cleaned has a number of possible benefits, including:

• Improved energy efficiency and lower energy costs. Air duct cleaning may (or may not) help make your HVAC system more efficient, which might lower your energy bills^[0]

• Possible improved indoor air quality. The air that blows into your living space may be cleaner, with less dust building up in your home.

• Possible improvement of allergy and asthma symptoms. Cleaning ducts may reduce your indoor exposure to allergens and irritants.

• A fresher smelling home. Air duct cleaning can help reduce or remove bad odors coming from your ducts.

Air duct cleaning disadvantages

There are some potential drawbacks to air duct cleaning to be aware of:

• It’s messy and invasive. The technician may have to drill holes in your walls or ceilings to access ducts, and you may be left with a lot of dust and debris to clean up after the job is done.

• It can be costly. This is especially true if you have a large home with many vents, or if you have issues with your ducts such as infestations, asbestos, mold or mildew.

• You may have to keep doing it. Dirt and debris may build up in your ducts again, and you may feel you need another cleaning.

• It takes time. The job usually takes several hours (or in some cases, a full day or more) to complete.

• You may have to move furniture. In order to create access to ducts, you may have to move heavy furniture and other personal belongings.

• Timing matters. You may need to schedule your air duct cleaning during a time when your heating or air conditioning system isn’t being used.

Is duct cleaning really worth it?

According to the National Institutes of Health, there’s not sufficient evidence that routine air duct cleaning shows a clear benefit on indoor air quality, health or HVAC performance — even when contaminants are effectively removed from the duct system. In fact, in a number of cases in a 2010 review of scientific studies, post-cleaning levels of indoor air contaminants were higher than pre-cleaning levels^[0]

That said, there are certain circumstances when it’s advisable to get your air ducts cleaned, including:

• Persistent or permanent water damage in your ducts.

• Slimy substances or microbial growth visible in ducts.

• Unpleasant odors coming from your ducts or HVAC.

• Dust being discharged from supply diffusers.

• Debris buildup in ducts to the point where it restricts airflow.

• Evidence of rodents or insects infesting your ducts^[0]