duct system cleaning cost

Need a Duct Cleaning Pro Near You? Find Local HVAC Experts & Get Free Duct Cleaning Price Quotes. No Obligations & No Credit Card Needed. Find Us on Facebook Browse through our complete library of HVAC related articles. Home > Home Improvement > HVAC > Duct Cleaning Cost How Much Does Duct Cleaning Cost? Your home's HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system relies on a network of metal air ducts to deliver heated and cooled air throughout the building. Over time, mold, dust, pet dander, vermin, and other allergenic substances can build up in ductwork and reduce indoor air quality. A residential duct cleaning can remove irritants and improve air flow, resulting in health benefits and energy savings. To learn more about air duct cleaning, including the cost of duct cleaning, continue reading. Do You Need Home Air Duct Cleaning? If you're already done a bit of research on home ductwork cleaning, you've likely encountered conflicting information about the necessity of this service.

If any of the following criteria apply to your home's ductwork, strongly consider having them cleaned:
clean laptop fan air compressor Visible mold growth on heating and cooling system components.
best price handheld vacuum cleaner A vermin (rodent or insect) infestation in the ducts. Ducts are clogged to such an extent that dust, debris, or other parties are being released into the home. What Does Air Duct Cleaning Involve? The National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) describes a proper, chemical free duct cleaning procedure as one which uses a powerful vacuum system with multiple brush attachments designed to loosen debris and feed it into the suction. Particles may be blown outside of the house or passed through a HEPA filter inside. A duct system can additionally be treated with a sealant which prevents dirt and dust from dislodging and entering the air.

Sanitizer chemicals may be applied to prevent the growth of mold and other microbial agents. What are the Benefits of Duct Cleaning? One member of the NADCA describes the essentiality of air duct cleaning as being similar to mopping and vacuuming. By removing particles that otherwise escape notice from your duct system, you and your family can reap the following benefits: Improve home air quality and reduce allergies Save money on your heating and cooling costs Extend the life of your HVAC system Air Duct Cleaning Average Costs Note that the actual cost of air duct cleaning depends on the size of the system to be serviced, the level of contamination, the actual cleaning services performed, the local climate and economy, whether complications, such as the detection of asbestos, are encountered, and other factors. Air duct cleaning cost should fall somewhere between $400 and $1,200. For a single-zone system (one with a single furnace), expect to pay $300 to $600.

For a two-zone system (one with two furnaces), costs might reach $600 to $1,200. Some companies charge a flat fee for ductwork cleaning, while others have hourly rates. If billed by the hour, you might pay $100 to $150 per hour. Use Our Free Service and Find Duct Cleaning Companies Near You Join the Convo - How Much Did You Pay? The following questions are most commonly asked by air duct cleaning consumers, according to the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA): Are there any health benefits that come from cleaning of air ducts? Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems have been shown to be a collection source for a variety of contaminants that have the potential to affect health, such as mold, fungi, bacteria, and particles of dust. The removal of such contaminants from the HVAC system and home should be considered as one component in an overall plan to improve indoor air quality. How often should residential HVAC systems be cleaned?

Frequency of cleaning of air ducts depends on several factors, including: Amount of people experiencing allergies or asthma symptoms when indoors Severity of allergies or asthma symptoms Number of pets that shed high amounts of hair and dander Evidence of water damage or contamination to the home or HVAC system After home renovations or remodeling Smokers in the household History of a home (schedule air duct cleaning before you move into a new home) How should residential HVAC ductwork be cleaned? The most effective method of cleaning of air ducts is through “Source Removal.” This requires a contractor to place the system under negative pressure through the use of a specialized, powerful vacuum. While the vacuum draws air through the system, devices are inserted into the ducts to dislodge any debris that might be stuck to interior surfaces. The debris are pulled into the vacuum and removed from the system and the home. What are the antimicrobial chemicals and why would they need to be used?

Antimicrobial chemicals are applied by some companies to the interior surface of the air ducts, to treat microbial contamination such as fungi (mold), viruses or bacteria. Before any antimicrobial chemicals are used, the system should be thoroughly cleaned. It is critical that any antimicrobial treatment used in your system be registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) specifically for use in HVAC systems. The use of antimicrobial chemicals is considered additional and not part of a typical cleaning of air ducts. What criteria should I use when selecting an air duct system cleaner? Verify that the company is certified by NADCA to perform proper cleaning of air ducts, is a member in good standing and properly insured. Make sure that the company is going to clean and visually inspect all of the air ducts and related system components. Ask if the company has the right equipment to effectively perform cleaning of air ducts, and if the company has done work in homes similar to yours.

Get references from neighbors if possible. Avoid advertisements for “$99 whole house specials” and other sales gimmicks. What is the normal price range for cleaning of air ducts? The U.S. EPA 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.” Type of duct material is also taken into consideration. Consumers should beware of air duct cleaning companies that making sweeping claims about the health benefits of cleaning of air ducts – such claims are unsubstantiated. Consumers should also beware of “blow-and-go” air duct cleaning companies. These companies often charge a nominal fee and do a poor job of cleaning of air ducts. These companies may also persuade the consumer into unneeded services with and/or without their permission. What kind of equipment is best for cleaning of air ducts?

Truck mounted vacuums or portable vacuums? NADCA does not endorse one kind of equipment over another. There are two main types of vacuum collection devices: (1) those mounted on trucks and trailers and (2) portable units. Truck/trailer mounted equipment is generally more powerful than portable equipment. However, portable equipment can often be brought directly into a facility, allowing the vacuum source to be located closer to the ductwork. Both types of equipment will clean to NADCA standards. All vacuum units should be attached to a collection device for safe containment prior to disposal. Any vacuum collection device which exhausts indoors must be HEPA filtered. A vacuum collection device alone will not get an HVAC system clean. The use of methods and tools designed to agitate debris adhered to the surfaces within the system, in conjunction with the use of the vacuum collection device(s), is required to clean HVAC systems. (For example: brushes, air whips and “skipper balls.”)

How can we determine if the cleaning of air ducts was effective? The best way to determine if the air duct cleaning was effective is to perform a visual inspection of the system before and after cleaning. If any dust or debris can be seen, the system should not be considered cleaned. While you can perform your own visual inspection using a flash light and mirror, a professional cleaning contractor should be able to allow you better access to system components and perhaps the use of specialized inspection tools. In addition, following this post-cleaning check list can help to ensure a top quality job. How long should it take to clean a typical residential HVAC system? The amount of time it takes to clean a residential HVAC system depends on many variables such as the size of the home, the number of systems, the extent of the contamination and the number of HVAC cleaners performing the job. Ask at least two contractors to inspect your system and give you a time estimate.

This will give you a general idea of how long the job should take as well as an idea of how thoroughly the contractor plans to do the job. Why should I choose a NADCA member for cleaning of air ducts? NADCA Members have signed a Code of Ethics stating they will do everything possible to protect the consumer, and follow NADCA Standards for cleaning to the best of their ability. For a list of NADCA members near you, click here. Air duct cleaning companies must meet stringent requirements to become a NADCA Member. Among those requirements, all NADCA Members must have certified Air System Cleaning Specialists (ASCS) on staff, who have taken and passed the NADCA Certification Examination. Passing the exam demonstrates extensive knowledge in HVAC design and cleaning methodologies. ASCSs are also required to further their industry education by attending seminars in order to maintain their NADCA certification status. You may view the NADCA Code of Ethics here. Will cleaning of air ducts reduce our home energy bills?