How Much Does Air Duct Cleaning Cost? [2025 Data]

Air duct cleaning costs $388 on average, but can range between $150 and $800. Air ducts play an essential role in your home’s air quality. Without them, air can’t circulate through your home. And since ducts filter out the impurities before we breathe anything in, cleaning them is necessary to combat the debris accumulated over time. 

Let’s review the factors behind professional HVAC cleaning costs and how to budget your next project.

Air Duct Cleaning Cost Factors

The price you'll pay to hire someone to clean your air ducts depends on the size of your home and ductwork, accessibility, and labor costs in your area. 

Total Square Footage of Vents

The more ductwork you have, the more you'll pay for cleaning. Some local air duct cleaners base their price on the property’s square footage, based on the theory that the larger your home is, the more ductwork you'll have. 

The cost of cleaning ductwork is $0.15 to $0.30 per square foot. So, to clean vents in a typical 1,500-square-foot house, expect to pay between $180 and $360.

Here’s a breakdown of the average air duct cleaning costs based on the size of your home:

Number of Vents

As with ductwork, the more vents you have, the more it’ll cost to clean them. Typically, vents cost $35 each to clean, with most homeowners paying between $25 and $50 per vent. To get a ballpark estimate for the cost of vent cleaning, count the vents in your home and multiply that by $35.

Here’s how the number of vents affects your air duct cleaning cost:

Types of Ducts

If you have flex ducts, expect to pay toward the upper end of the range. Unlike metal ducts, flex ducts require specialist cleaning equipment, so this service commands a higher price. Rigid metal ducts are easy to clean with a vacuum, air hose, or power brush, so they tend to cost less to clean. 

Labor Cost

Most ductwork pros charge by the hour, with duct cleaning services typically priced between $90 and $125 per hour. Depending on the size of your home, the type of ductwork you have, and how accessible the ducts are, most cleaning jobs require three to eight hours of labor.

Accessibility

If you ensure that vents are easy to reach with vacuuming equipment, accessibility shouldn’t be a problem. But some ductwork designs make accessing them difficult, especially if you don’t have floor vents. If air duct technicians have to work harder or take additional steps to reach your vents, it may result in additional labor charges.

Inspections

Some vent problems, like noticeable mold or nests, don’t require an inspection before cleaning. However, if you aren’t sure about the state of your vents, consider arranging a professional inspection for an honest assessment. These inspections are often bundled together as part of a HVAC inspection, which costs an average of $300 but can fall under $100 for simple systems.

Level of Cleanliness or Contamination

Duct cleaning is offered as a package with set labor costs, but extremely dirty jobs will cost extra. If the ducts have never been cleaned and need a lot of work to remove dust and buildup, expect additional fees.

Household Habits

Some living situations are harder on ductwork than others. A house where people frequently smoke will lead to dirtier ductwork that you will need to clean more often. In addition, a house with several pets can create a lot of dander and hair that flows into your air vents, meaning your ducts may need more attention.

Air Duct Contamination Removal Costs

Dealing with any pest, asbestos, or mold contamination will add to your air duct cleaning costs. Here’s the cost breakdown for different air duct contamination removal services: 

• Pest Removal: The cost of hiring a pest control service ranges from $100 to $260, while the cost of rodent removal runs from $200 to $1,200. 

• Mold and Mildew Removal: If you have mold in your air ducts you’ll need to add mold remediation costs to ensure your home’s air is safe to breathe.

• Asbestos Removal: Removing asbestos costs $5 to $20 per square foot. If your duct cleaning pro sees asbestos in the ducts, they won't be able to resume work until it’s removed.

Common Air Duct Cleaning Cost Add-Ons

Certain add-on services can ensure that you avoid ending up with dirtier-than-usual air ducts or costlier problems on your hands down the line.

• Video Inspection: An air duct inspection can determine how dirty they are and other potential problems. Most people pay between $70 and $130 for a video inspection, but this service can also be bundled with an annual HVAC inspection package.

• Preventative Sprays: Applying sprays or coatings is a common add-on service to maintain duct health after a cleaning. This step isn’t necessary, except in cases of mold. Sprays include deodorizers, disinfectants, and fungicides.

• Furnace Cleaning: Many top HVAC-cleaning companies will combine air duct cleaning with other HVAC services, such as cleaning related parts around your furnace. Cleaning your furnace filters, vent covers, and related ductwork will cost $60 to $150 per furnace. Your HVAC pro will also take a moment to inspect items like wiring, burners, and valves.

• Air Conditioning Repairs: Imbalances and faulty parts in your central air conditioner can lead to condensation and mold in your air ducts. AC repairs cost $350 on average, but major part replacements can cost thousands. Fixing a leak will cost between $220 and $1,600, whereas replacing the air handler can cost as much as $5,600.

• Air Conditioner Maintenance: Annual AC maintenance can ensure that your system efficiently cools your home. On average, a basic AC tune-up costs between $75 and $200, though there are some tasks you can complete on your own for less. For example, you can change your AC filter in minutes or install a new thermostat for the cost of parts and basic household tools.

• Dryer Vent Cleaning: If you incorporate dryer vent cleaning with your air duct cleaning service, it'll cost about $100. As a standalone service, dryer vent cleaning costs between $100 and $170. While seemingly minor, a clean dryer vent boosts appliance efficiency, enhances drying performance, and reduces fire risk.

• Air Duct Coating: On average, coating air ducts costs $180 to $630. The pro applies a protective substance to the inside of the ductwork to prevent dust and grime particles from circulating back into your home. 

• Air Duct Repairs: Repairing air ducts costs $200 to $800. During a video inspection or a cleaning service, your pro may spot issues that need attention. If you catch these issues early, they'll cost less than if you wait until they're a significant problem. Plus, if your air ducts need repair, they won't perform as efficiently, costing you more in energy consumption.

Why You Should Hire An Air Duct Cleaning Pro

Only the pros have the proper skills and experience to complete an air duct cleaning. If you’ve discovered mildew growing in your ducts, it’s time to contact a local air duct cleaning expert. 

Here’s why it’s ideal to hire an air duct cleaning pro

The pros are able to provide a deep cleaning of home air ducts that homeowners can’t achieve by themselves. Here’s why: 

• Professionals use air compressors, blowers, specialized sealing vacuums, agitators, and unique brushes to thoroughly clean air ducts. 

• Expert cleaners use the right tools for different types of air ducts, ensuring that more delicate ductwork isn’t damaged. 

• The pros can spot cracks, nests left by pests, and other problems while they work, letting you know what needs extra attention.

• A cleaning service can apply fungicide coatings, filters, and other add-ons to address specific duct problems. 

If you want to DIY an air duct cleaning

Here are DIY steps to take for a minor cleaning or prep ahead of a pro: 

• Inspect your crawlspaces, including in the vents. If you can see the light, you’ve likely found a crack or gap. Alert your pro so they can help you plan for repairs. 

• Check your fan system for a primary filter and make sure the filter is replaced.

• If the vent covers are dirty, clean them thoroughly ahead of a professional cleaning.

How to Save Money When Cleaning Air Ducts

If air duct cleaning costs feel a little stiff, there are a few ways to reduce what you’ll pay for the service and how often. For instance, you can:

• Vacuum around duct openings, registers, vent grills, and the furnace routinely

• Change air filters every few months

• Use a home air purifier system

• Clean AC coils regularly

• Have ducts inspected annually

• Do extensive research on duct cleaning professionals

• Get multiple quotes

How Angi Gets Its Cost Data

Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects. 

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