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:
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The number of vents you have. Vents usually cost around $35 each to clean but can range from $25 to $50 per vent.
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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.
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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.
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Accessibility. If your ducts are particularly difficult to access, you may end up with additional labor charges.
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Type of ducts. Cleaning rigid metal ducts typically costs less than cleaning flex ducts because they are relatively simple to clean with basic equipment.
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Location. Duct cleaning services charge more in some regions of the country.
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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:
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Pest removal usually ranges from $100 to $260.
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Rodent removal typically costs between $200 and $1,200.
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Mold and mildew removal can cost between $1,100 and $3,400.
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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:
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10-foot extension hose for shop vacuum.
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Dryer vent cleaning brush with a 10-foot extender.
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Nerdy Tip
DIY air duct cleaning isn’t without risk. It’s a messy job that could expose you to dangerous and/or germ-infested mold, rodent droppings, volatile organic compounds, pet dander, viruses, smog, mildew and other debris. Additionally, if you need to climb a ladder, you could fall and injure yourself. Finally, you risk inviting mold growth by introducing moisture into your ducts and damaging your HVAC components and ducts, particularly if you have flex ducts in your home.
Air duct cleaning advantages
Having your air ducts cleaned has a number of possible benefits, including:
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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.
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Possible improved indoor air quality. The air that blows into your living space may be cleaner, with less dust building up in your home.
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Possible improvement of allergy and asthma symptoms. Cleaning ducts may reduce your indoor exposure to allergens and irritants.
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A fresher smelling home. Air duct cleaning can help reduce or remove bad odors coming from your ducts.
Air duct cleaning disadvantages