Air Duct Cleaning costs homeowners an average of $450–$1,000. See which factors will impact your total cost.

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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. 

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

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• Mold and mildew: Toxic mold will likely require remediation beyond a simple duct cleaning, and the cost of mold remediation can be high.

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• Dryer vents: Dryer vents must be unclogged regularly, which remove excess heat from your dryer to prevent fires. Clogged vents may result in extra cleaning costs.

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• Accessibility: Any obstacles that substantially increase the time it takes to access or clean the ducts may increase costs.

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Air Duct Cleaning Cost for Mold and Mildew

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There’s a big difference between simple mildew and hazardous mold in terms of health risks and air duct cleaning prices. Some fungal growth sheds dangerous spores that can cause serious respiratory problems.

 

Mold remediation is the process of eradicating this mold and ensuring it doesn’t grow back. You’ll need to hire a special contractor for this and will likely pay upwards of $2,000–$6,000.

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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.

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Air Duct Cleaning Cost for Dryer Vents

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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.

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Air Duct Cleaning Cost by Accessibility

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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 contamination level may also increase the price.