If you have a ducted air conditioner, dust and debris can build up over time in the hidden ductwork that runs through your home. The average cost of air duct cleaning for a residential building is between $450 and $1,000, according to the EPA and the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA). The cost largely depends on your system’s size, which may be measured in square footage or by the number of vents. We’ll discuss when you should have your air ducts cleaned and break down the cost of hiring an air duct cleaning service below.

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What Is The Average Cost of Air Duct Cleaning by System Size?

Here are the average air duct cleaning costs based on your system’s size, which is measured in either square footage or vent number.

Air Duct Cleaning Cost by Square Footage

Duct cleaning professionals often have a set price per square foot. Some companies offer a basic package for homes up to a certain size and charge additional fees for anything larger. Prices average 20 to 40 cents per square foot. Beware of potential air duct cleaning scams: If a company quotes you a suspiciously low price, it may tack on extra fees for cleaning air handlers, fans, coils, grilles, registers, drip pans, and other duct system components.

Air Duct Cleaning Cost by Number of Vents

Some professional duct cleaners measure system size by the number of vents. Supply vents typically cost $25–$50 each to clean, and return vents usually cost $40–$75 each. Be wary if an air duct cleaning company offers you an extremely low per-vent price: The fine print may include a whole-house flat fee that isn’t disclosed until after the cleaners have arrived at your home.

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What Are Air Duct Cleaning Cost Factors?

The above costs cover basic cleaning for HVAC ducts and air vents, but the following complications and contamination may increase your price:

• Rodents: Rats or other vermin will need to be exterminated before HVAC cleaners can clean the air ducts.
• Mold and mildew: Toxic mold will likely require remediation beyond a simple duct cleaning.
• Dryer vents: Dryer vents, which remove excess heat from your dryer to prevent fires, must be unclogged regularly. Clogged vents may result in extra cleaning costs.
• Accessibility: Any obstacles that substantially increase the time it takes to access or clean the ducts may increase costs.

Air Duct Cleaning Cost for Rodents

Rats, mice, and other pests can chew through ductwork and begin living in your cooling system. Since rodent droppings pose a potential health hazard, you should deal with the infestation right away. If air duct cleaners spot signs of a rodent infestation, you’ll need to call an exterminator before they can proceed. Rodent control usually costs $170–$520, but it may be more expensive if the infestation is severe.

Air Duct Cleaning Cost for Mold and Mildew

In terms of both health risks and air duct cleaning prices, there’s a big difference between simple mildew and hazardous mold. Some fungal growth sheds dangerous spores that can cause serious respiratory problems. The process of eradicating this mold and ensuring it doesn’t grow back is called mold remediation. You’ll need to hire a special contractor for this and will likely pay upwards of $2,000–$6,000.

The good news is that only a few types of mold are this toxic; the bad news is that it’s almost impossible to tell by looking. If you spot mold or mildew, you should send a sample to a microbiology lab for testing, which costs $50–$100. If it isn’t toxic, or if it isn’t mold at all, you won’t need remediation. 

Note that air duct cleaning doesn’t remove all mold and mildew. Even sanitizing, which costs an extra $75–$150, uses antibacterial rather than antifungal chemicals. These chemicals don’t kill mold and may damage fiberglass ductwork.

Air Duct Cleaning Cost for Dryer Vents

Unlike air duct cleaning, which isn’t a necessary part of routine home maintenance, dryer vent cleaning must take place at least once a year. A clogged dryer vent increases the risk of a house fire and makes your clothes dryer less efficient. Air duct cleaners may include dryer vents as part of a whole-house cleaning, or they may charge $40–$100 extra. If you request only dryer vent cleaning, it will cost around $80–$180.

Air Duct Cleaning Cost by Accessibility

Professionals rarely charge by the hour for residential HVAC cleaning. However, you may be charged extra if something about your system substantially increases the time it takes for the air cleaners to do their work. For example, if there are difficult-to-access ducts or plenums (aka air distribution boxes) in attics or crawl spaces, or if your ductwork has a custom design. In rare cases, the level of contamination may increase the price as well.

Other Air Duct Cleaning Costs

Here are some other costs you may encounter when having your air ducts cleaned:

• Annual air conditioner maintenance: $75–$200
• Air conditioner repairs: $100–$1,300
• Duct repair/replacement: $130–$550
• Furnace cleaning: $60–$150
• Visual air duct inspection: $80–$180
• Video inspection: $200–$500

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Should You DIY vs. Professional Air Duct Cleaning?

Motivated homeowners can do some light air duct cleaning themselves. You’ll need the following items:

• Shop vacuum
• Extension hose
• Power drill
• Nylon bristle brush
• Dryer vent cleaning brush with extendable handle

Once you’ve secured the equipment, take the following steps to complete do-it-yourself (DIY) air duct cleaning:

1. Remove and clean the grilles.
2. Inspect the ducts for buildup. 
3. Attach the vent cleaning brush to the power drill and use it to break up any debris.
4. Vacuum up debris with the shop vac.

Note: If you need to rent or buy the drill or shop vac, you can do this for about $50–$100.

Unfortunately, this method will only clean about 10 feet into each vent. Commercial duct cleaning equipment, such as negative air pressure machines and duct whips, are rarely available to rent, and they’re expensive to buy. The advantage of hiring a professional is that they’ll be able to do a faster, more thorough job, usually taking just a few hours.

Free quote: Get your quote from an HVAC expert today

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Is Air Duct Cleaning Worth It?

When considering air duct cleaning, note the difference between the vague benefits of cleaning the ducts themselves and the proven benefits of cleaning and maintaining your HVAC system’s working components. If you’re going to shell out the money for professional cleaning, ensure the contractors will clean the system’s functional parts. HVAC systems are expensive, and maintenance will keep your air conditioner running smoothly, far better than duct cleaning. You should also remember to clean your dryer vent at least once a year.

FAQs About Air Duct Cleaning Costs

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