How Much Does Duct Cleaning Cost? 2023 Cost Guide

Many homeowners are concerned about indoor air quality and for good reason. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, we spend about 90% of our time indoors.

Some suspect that dirt, dust, mildew, mold, and other pollutants reside in the ducts in our homes. Duct cleaning can be an excellent way to reduce pollutants in our homes.

Keep reading to learn more about the cost for duct cleaning services.

2023 Duct Cleaning Costs

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National Average Price $350

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What is the Average Price for Duct Cleaning?

Many homeowners want to know how much should they spend to get their ducts cleaned, and how often. The national average for duct cleaning is $350.

We should note that the EPA suggests there is little evidence to suggest that duct cleaning will have a significant impact on indoor air quality unless there is substantial dust buildup, mold growth, or vermin living in them. However, they also point out that there is no harm from cleaning them either.

air vent on a wall

There are a few factors that impact the cost of duct cleaning.

Duct Cleaning Credentials

Like any other home improvement task, duct cleaning is a haven for scams. Many maid services and handyman outfits are using “blow and go” scams to fool homeowners. These services may be more affordable, but they might not be effective or properly clean the ductwork.

Before agreeing to allow any service to clean your HVAC ducts, check to make sure they have a National Air Duct Cleaning Association certification and a Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating of A or A+ in your area.

What Should Get Cleaned?

According to the EPA, each component of your HVAC, heat pump, furnace, or central air system should get cleaned. If any part of the system gets ignored, it could re-contaminate the system. What’s more, a well-maintained system runs better and use less energy to operate.

Many heating and air services will package a thorough cleaning for one price; while others might charge for every component.

For instance, some contractors might charge $25 – $30 per vent, and an additional $150 to clean the dryer vent. Note, cleaning the dryer vent is essential to prevent fire.

Other contractors might charge a flat rate for the home, and some charge around $500 for an average sized home.

Some cleaning services charge $150 – $500 to clean the condenser coil and evaporator in the furnace. However, it is very important to get these components serviced to keep your system running at peak performance. Proper maintenance saves money on energy and repair bills. Replacing those parts could cost as much as $1,500.

The best method is to schedule a thorough annual cleaning and service during non-peak times. Schedule air conditioning during fall and winter, and heating in the spring/summer timeframe to get the best price.

Although a furnace cleaning is more affordable than the cost of a furnace repair or replacement, cleaning the internal components is not guaranteed to prolong the life of the equipment. However, if it’s especially dirty a cleaning can help improve air quality.

Hire a Professional for Duct Cleaning

How much you pay to clean the HVAC system and ducts depends on a variety of variables. These factors might include the size of the system, number of vents, the extent of contamination, and how many people it takes to complete.

You should get a system inspection from at least three cleaning contractors before accepting that something needs to get replaced. Always examine the statement of work or contract before a final decision. The statement of work should include how long it will take and when they will start, and what they will do.

All pricing information on this page is based on average industry costs, and is subject to variance for project-specific materials, labor rates, and requirements.