Air Duct Cleaning Cost | Don’t Get Scammed

UNDERSTANDING AIR DUCT CLEANING COST

Air duct cleaning is the process in which your HVAC system is cleaned from the main trunk line to the branches, and your air handler as well.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines air duct cleaning as the cleaning of various heating and cooling system components of forced air systems, including the supply and return air ducts and registers, grilles and diffusers, heat exchangers heating and cooling coils, condensate drain pans (drip pans), fan motor and fan housing, and the air handling unit housing.

An air duct cleaning cost can differ wildly from company to company, but on average it should cost you anywhere from $400 to $1,000. The price is dependent on the size of your home, and the number of systems, vents, and returns.

A reputable company may charge you an air duct cleaning cost in one of several different ways, but no matter how they break down their costs, you need to make sure you choose a company that doesnt charge by the hour.

Price breakdowns include:

If youve ever received a flyer in the mail quoting a Whole Home Special air duct cleaning cost for $99, youve encountered a scam. This is specifically called a bait and switch scam. Companies advertising such a low price are not considered reputable and should be avoided. The name of the scam comes from the fact that they bait you into hiring them by telling you it will only cost $99. When they come out they switch the price by telling you the $99 air duct cleaning cost only applies to the first x-number of vents and returns. At this point, they know you have more than that. There will be a new, astronomically high price to clean all your vents and returns. These companies most likely use sub-standard equipment and will try to sell you unnecessary add-ons.

You should also be wary of companies who say they can clean your home in 1-2 hours. A thorough cleaning should take 4-8 hours depending on the size of your home and number of vents and returns.

When looking for a trustworthy duct cleaning company, look for a team that upholds and supports NADCA's high standards and can help diagnose and resolve air duct related issues currently impacting your system.

As The National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) was formed in 1989 as a non-profit association of companies engaged in the cleaning of HVAC systems. Its mission was to promote source removal as the only acceptable method of cleaning and to establish industry standards for the association.

Here is what NADCA says about hiring a reputable air duct cleaning contractor:

Some air duct cleaning companies advertise a sanitizer or disinfectant to fog into your duct work for an additional charge, but these chemicals should be avoided as they pose harm to your health and are not proven to work in the first place.

When scheduling your air duct cleaning, consider scheduling your annual dryer vent cleaning for the same time. Dryer vent cleanings are typically between $130 and $200, and there may be a discount on the dryer vent when you pair it with the air duct cleaning.

If your duct work is old enough, there could be asbestos lurking in it. This may need to be serviced by a separate company and can be costly.

If youre intimidated by the air duct cleaning cost, it may comfort you to know the recommended frequency is only once every 5 to 7 years. This varies due to a number of factors in your home. The more you have, the closer together your air duct cleanings should be.

Factors include:

If youre ready to schedule your air duct cleaning, find a company who closely follows the strict parameters set forth by the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA). NADCA is an organization that provides guidelines and processes for cleaning air ducts. Use a company who is trained in the NADCA way, and save yourself the headache of a poor cleaning job.

More info? For more information about air duct cleaning scams, check out our other post: AVOID AIR DUCT CLEANING SCAMS ADVICE FROM THE BBB

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Air Duct Cleaning Cost | Don't Get Scammed