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How much will your duct and vent cleaning cost?

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Columbus, OH 43215

Air duct cleaning costs$241 - $563

National average fixed price

Most common low price:$241
Most common high price:$563

How much does duct cleaning cost?

By Thumbtack Staff

Last updated Mon, Jan 06

The national average cost to clean air ducts in a home is $369, and prices will usually range from $241-$563, according to Thumbtack data. Many companies offer tiered pricing to help you choose what you need or a flat rate for a specific group of services.

Air duct cleaning cost:

National average cost	$369
Low-end cost range	$241
High-end cost range	$563

Before you hire a service, it's important to understand what factors affect air duct cleaning prices. Keep reading to learn about these cost factors and how you may be able to save money.

Duct cleaning costs per hour.

Companies generally charge for duct cleaning based on an hourly rate or tiered service levels. The national average hourly rate is $40 per hour, but rates can reach as high as $157 per hour.

What's included in air duct cleaning prices?

Air duct cleaning is a complete cleaning of your air conditioning system and all of its parts. This includes the air ducts, coils, drain pan, registers, grills, air plenum (the space above dropped ceiling tiles), heat exchanger, air filter, air cleaner, and the blower and motor assembly. A proper cleaning of all these parts consists of two key steps: breaking contaminants (like dust, dander, and other debris) loose and collecting those contaminants.

A cleaning service will loosen contaminants from within your air conditioning system by using agitation devices like brushes, air whips, and compressed air nozzles or “skipper balls." The cleaning service will usually attach a vacuum to your HVAC system to create continuous negative pressure during the cleaning process so that any contaminants loosened during the cleaning are pulled out of the system and your home.

Duct cleaning companies can also check and clean your dryer ducts at the same time.

What impacts the cost of cleaning ductwork?

A professional duct cleaning service will consider several important details when estimating the cost to clean your home's air ducts. Here are the biggest factors you should be aware of:

Home size.

The larger your home, the more expensive it will be to clean your air ducts:

Total square footage	National average cost range
Less than 1,000 square feet	$191-$445
1,000-2,000 square feet	$230-$537
2,000-3,000 square feet	$245-$572
3,000-4,000 square feet	$272-$633
More than 4,000 square feet	$276-$643

Did you know? Some companies offer a set price up to a certain square footage and charge an extra fee for any additional square feet. The added cost typically covers employees' extra time and the use of equipment required for larger homes.

Number of vents.

The number of vents you have will greatly influence how much you pay for cleaning services:

Number of vents	National average cost range
1-5 vents	$164-$383
6-10 vents	$270-$630
11-20 vents	$303-$708

Smokers vs. non-smokers.

Thumbtack data shows that homes that contain cigarette smoke tend to have dirtier ducts, which can slightly increase the cost of cleaning:

Household members	National average cost for duct cleaning
Non-smokers in the home	$228-$533
Smokers in the home	$248-$578

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How does duct cleaning pricing work?

Many companies charge a flat rate for air duct cleaning and will outline what services are included in their rate. Some companies will charge a flat rate up to a certain amount of square feet (such as 2,500 square feet), then $20 to $40 for each additional 500 square feet, depending on the service level you've chosen. Other companies offer tiered pricing based on the extent of the services they provide.

To help you estimate air duct cleaning prices for your home or business, here's an example of tiered pricing from Twin Cities Furnace Cleaning:

Service	Cost	What it includes
Standard duct cleaning	$99.95	Truck-mounted industrial vacuums, high-pressure air wands and air snakes to clean all supply and return vents, branch lines and main trunk lines.
Advanced duct cleaning	$199.95	Includes standard cleaning services, plus Rotobrush or viper clean sweep in the main trunk lines.
Ultimate duct cleaning	$399.95	Advanced cleaning, plus insertion of a viper microline into all vents to force debris down the branch lines and into the main trunk lines, to be handled by the viper clean sweep. All ductwork surface contacted, before-and-after photos provided and furnace is cleaned.

Dryer vent cleaning prices.

On average, homeowners in the U.S. spend $283 on dryer vent cleaning, according to Thumbtack data. Total costs range anywhere from $185-$432.

Commercial vs. residential air duct cleaning costs.

Commercial air duct cleaning typically costs more than residential because furnace and air conditioning systems operate at a higher rate, with more airborne particles than most residential homes. Costs are based on the number of forced-air components in the commercial space, square footage and any special sanitization required.

Building type	National average cost range
Condo	$197-$459
Townhome	$208-$485
House	$241-$563
Business or commercial building	$266-$621

If you have a business that generates a lot of dust or dirt, or if you run a restaurant that fries food in oil, your heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system will be dirtier than a residential air duct system. This makes duct cleaning more costly.

How often should you clean your ducts?

National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) recommends getting your air ducts cleaned every 3-5 years, or every 2-3 years in regions where homeowners use their air conditioning and heater for many months of the year.

Here are some additional instances when you should consider hiring someone to clean your HVAC system and air ducts:

After water damage to the home
After renovations or remodeling
Before occupying a new home
If there are smokers or pets that shed in the household
If residents in the home have allergies or asthma
If residents in the home are sensitive to poor air quality.
If you suspect mold, pollen or high levels of dust

Regarding the last point, keep in mind mold can grow when pollen and dust combine with humidity in the HVAC ductwork or settle in the drain pans. When an inspector detects mold in your home, a duct cleaning service provider might apply antimicrobial chemicals to control microbial contamination.

Certified HVAC technicians or contractors will only use chemicals registered with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). After cleaning, you should notice an improvement in the overall indoor air quality.

How can you save money on air duct cleaning costs?

Many air duct cleaning companies offer one-time specials to bring in new customers. Read the fine print carefully to confirm what services will be provided, and make sure the equipment used by the company is professional — such as vacuum-equipped vans and negative air machines — and that the trapping of the dust will not take place inside your home.

Here are examples of specials for overall air duct cleaning and add-ons to larger services from a few Thumbtack pros:

Dryer vent cleaning in Denver, Colorado: $65 with air duct cleaning
Air conditioning tuneup in Denver, Colorado: $75 with air duct cleaning
Air duct cleaning of unlimited vents in Elk Grove Village, Illinois: $289

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Avoid whole-house air duct cleaning scams.

NADCA recommends being skeptical of services that offer extremely low prices for “whole-house air duct cleaning." These could be bait-and-switch schemes that offer you a low flat rate and then charge for unneeded services.

NADCA also warns that “blow-and-go" scams have also defrauded homeowners by telling them they needed expensive mold removal when they really didn't.

Did you know? Some companies have claimed that duct cleaning can provide health benefits. However, the EPA states: "Duct cleaning has never been shown to actually prevent health problems."

What are the benefits of air duct cleaning?

Cleaning your air ducts can provide several benefits for you and your household. For example, air duct cleaning can:

Eliminate mold. But in extreme cases, cleaning might not be sufficient — you may need to remove and replace your ducts.
Get rid of vermin. This includes rodents and insect.
Unclog ducts that have filled with dust and debris.

Things to consider when hiring a duct cleaning company

Keep these tips in mind as you're searching for a professional to clean your ducts:

Be skeptical of companies that report finding mold in your ducts and encourage you to purchase mold elimination services from them. If you believe mold could be in your air ducts, get a separate opinion from an independent mold removal specialist before contracting any additional work.
Ask questions. For example, HVAC cleaning technicians may need to cut access holes into your existing ductwork to reach inside with cleaning tools. Before scheduling any work, confirm what is needed to gain access for cleaning.
Visually inspect your HVAC system with a flashlight before and after the cleaning.
Confirm they're certified by the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA).
Check licenses. Depending on what state you live in, an HVAC contractor or cleaning company may require a state license as well.

Find duct cleaners near you.

Whether you want to improve the airflow in your cooling system or remove allergens from your home, getting your air ducts cleaned by a professional is a worthwhile investment. Find a professional duct cleaner near you on Thumbtack.

FAQs.

Does cleaning air ducts really make a difference?

Cleaning your air ducts may make a difference, but it depends on your situation. The EPA states you should consider air duct cleaning if:

Dust and debris are clogging your duct.
Your ducts have substantial visible mold growth
Rodents, insects and other vermin have infested your ducts

Can I clean my air ducts myself?

Air duct cleaning is not typically a DIY job. The project can be complex and requires special equipment. If you don't know what you're doing, you may accidentally damage your ducts. For most homeowners, hiring a service provider is the best route to take. But if you're handy (and have the time), you can consider cleaning your air ducts by yourself.

How do I clean the air vents in my house?

Cleaning air ducts and vents is a complicated project.You can always wipe and brush the grates and grilles. Some homeowners may choose to vacuum inside their ducts as well. But if this job is not done right, you could end up damaging your duct system or HVAC components. For the best possible outcome, consider hiring a professional instead.

How do I check my HVAC ducts for leaks?

To check your HVAC ducts for leaks, the Department of Energy (DOE) recommends doing the following:

Looks for gaps and cracks around your home. For example, inspect the area where your siding and chimney meets and all of the corners on your home's exteriors.
Inspect your home's interior. This includes looking for gaps around electrical outlets, attic hatches, window frames and more.
Conduct a building pressurization test. This will help push air through cracks so you can detect a leak more easily.
Shine a flashlight over potential gaps at nighttime. Have a partner, friend or neighbor stand outside as you do this. If they see light coming from the gaps, you have a large crack.

For more tips on how to detect air leaks, visit the DOE website.

Does duct cleaning remove mold?

Duct cleaning can help you detect and remove mold. If your service provider finds mold in your ducts, you may want to test it to ensure it is in fact mold. And if the mold is severe or has damaged your insulation, cleaning won't be sufficient. Instead, you should talk to a professional about removing and replacing the materials.

Do I have mold in my air ducts?

How will you know if you have mold in your air ducts? There are a few signs you should watch out for, including:

There's a moldy, musty smell in your home and you can't detect where it's coming from.
Members in your household are experiencing some of the health side effects. This can include runny noses, sneezing, red eyes and skin rashes.
You can visually see the mold in your air ducts.

Ultimately, a professional should help you determine if you have mold in your air ducts. This may include taking a sample and testing it in a lab.

*A note about project costs featured in this article: Figures represent national average cost estimates using data provided by Thumbtack pros and additional research. These figures are provided for educational purposes only and are subject to change at any time due to various factors. Details about your specific project and local rates can impact costs.

How do we know these prices?

Millions of people ask Thumbtack for help with their projects every year. We track the estimates they get from local professionals, conduct our own research and then we share those prices with you. The prices reflected in the article above are for informational purposes only and are subject to change at any time. Contact a professional near you to receive a personalized cost estimate for your project.

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