Understanding Air Duct Cleaning Costs


Cleaning your air ducts is not part of regular air conditioning and heating maintenance. The cost can vary greatly depending on the size of the unit, accessibility, and overall level of dirt.

Air Duct Cleaning Cost

The Environmental Protection Agency says that “duct cleaning services typically – but not always – range in cost from $450 to $1000 per heating and cooling system, depending on the services offered, the size of the system to be cleaned, system accessibility, climactic region, and level of contamination” and type of duct material.

Before agreeing to hire a company to clean your ducts, do some homework. Talk to at least 3 companies and ask for cost and time estimates from each.  Check references, and find out if they have had complaints logged with the Better Business Bureau. Be sure you understand the specific work covered by each company’s quote, ask questions and choose the company that offers the most knowledgeable answers.

Beware of “Blow & Go” Companies

Beware of “blow-and-go” air duct cleaning companies. Blow and go companies often charge a nominal fee and do a poor job of cleaning the heating and cooling system. These companies may also persuade the consumer into unneeded services with and/or without their permission.  When making purchasing decisions, we typically look at price rather than at cost. Both are important, but paying the lowest price often ends up costing us more.  Understand that an air duct cleaning that is not properly performed will make the dust in the home worse.

Cleaning your air ducts is not part of regular air conditioning and heating maintenance. The cost can vary greatly depending on the size of the unit, accessibility, and overall level of dirt.

Air Duct Cleaning Cost

The Environmental Protection Agency says that “duct cleaning services typically – but not always – range in cost from $450 to $1000 per heating and cooling system, depending on the services offered, the size of the system to be cleaned, system accessibility, climactic region, and level of contamination” and type of duct material.

Before agreeing to hire a company to clean your ducts, do some homework. Talk to at least 3 companies and ask for cost and time estimates from each.Check references, and find out if they have had complaints logged with the Better Business Bureau. Be sure you understand the specific work covered by each company’s quote, ask questions and choose the company that offers the most knowledgeable answers.

Beware of “Blow & Go” Companies

Beware of “blow-and-go” air duct cleaning companies. Blow and go companies often charge a nominal fee and do a poor job of cleaning the heating and cooling system. These companies may also persuade the consumer into unneeded services with and/or without their permission.When making purchasing decisions, we typically look at price rather than at cost. Both are important, but paying the lowest price often ends up costing us more.Understand that an air duct cleaning that is not properly performed will make the dust in the home worse.