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 |  | Vents Only: Less than $200 |  | Medium: $400-$1,000 |
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With concern growing about molds, allergens and indoor air quality, residential duct cleaning is an emerging industry. The National Air Duct Cleaners Association asserts that removing contaminants from a home's ventilation system is an important step toward improving indoor air quality. However, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)[1] says knowledge about air duct cleaning is in the early stages, and there is currently no evidence that a small amount of household dust or other particles in air ducts poses any health risks. The EPA indicates it might be warranted in some cases but not in all situations.
Typical costs: | - A proper home air duct cleaning costs anywhere from $400-$1,000, depending on the size of the system to be cleaned, the type of services offered, the regional climate and the level of use the ventilation system gets, the type of materials inside the ductwork and the amount of contaminants (dust, mold, etc.). A 1,400-square-foot home with only one system of ducts will usually be at the lower end of the scale, while a 3,500-square-foot home with multiple heating/cooling systems is at the upper end of the price range.
Related articles: Chimney Sweep, Carpet Cleaning, Ductwork, House Cleaning, Whole House Central Air Purifier, Allergy Shots
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What should be included: | - Cleaning should include: cleaning all of registers, inside the ductwork, the interior of the heating/ventilating system, the furnace fan, and the coils for an air conditioner or heat pump, according to Real-Estate-Agents.com[2] . Once the system is clean, a disinfectant can be sprayed throughout to kill any mold, bacteria or dust mites that remain.
- The EPA recommends having the air ducts cleaned only as needed[3] -- that is, when there is substantial visible mold growth inside, if the ducts are infested with rodents or insects, or if they're clogged with excessive amounts of debris.
- According to the EPA, there is considerable controversy[4] about the wisdom of spraying chemical biocides inside the ductwork.
- Both the EPA and the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) warn against companies that make sweeping claims about the health benefits of duct cleaning. The NADCA also cautions consumers about "blow-and-go" air duct cleaners who charge a nominal fee (often offering extremely low-cost coupons) but use substandard equipment, do a poor cleaning job and perform unneeded services at an extra cost. Cleaning fans and coils is mandatory for a properly cleaned system and should never be listed as an "extra cost." Be wary if the total "cleaning" process will take only an hour or two.
Additional costs: | - Some older air ducts may contain asbestos in the insulation, register boots or other areas. Asbestos removal absolutely requires specialized procedures which will add to the total cost, depending on the complexity and extent of the problem.
Shopping for duct cleaning: | - The EPA lists suggestions[5] for choosing a duct cleaner, explains what to expect[6] and provides an after-cleaning checklist[7] .
- Referrals are available through the NADCA[8] .
- Get several estimates, and be sure you understand the specific work covered by each company's quote. Ask about the service providers' training and experience. If disinfectant spraying is recommended, ask for a clear explanation of the pros and cons of this treatment in your particular circumstances. Request and check references, and ask if the service provider holds any relevant state licenses.
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What People Are Paying - Recent Comments |
| Posted by: Ripped Off Customer in Indian Head, MD. | Posted: May 6th, 2021 10:05AM |
I've lived in my house for over 10 years and decided to have the air ducts and dryer vent cleaned. So I called Sears and this was the estimate:
Dryer Vent Cleaning $89
Duct 20 vents cleaning special $199 plus $20 each add'l vent
Duct free indoor air quality inspection $0 (not done)
Duct surcharge (fuel, disposal) $15
Total $303
There are two main units & the Sears technicians counted 29 vents, so I had to pay an additional $180 for the other 9 vents; which brings the total to $483.
Guess what, the Regional Manager (RM) said that I have to pay almost $2,000 because of the dirt build up in the units. I only saw regular dust build up in both units. The RM talked like there should be no dirt in the units. I could feel it in my guts that something was off but seeing the dirt in the main vents, I went ahead and have them do the work. So instead of paying $483 I paid $1,500, 300% more than the estimate. I was worried so I paid $1,500. I wish I had done my research. Can I get my money back? |
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| Posted by: Harry8383 in Shelby township, MI. | Posted: November 15th, 2019 08:11AM |
Sears hires contractors and I got a sleezeball. Told me I have 40 cents but i counted 27. Started with 650 but brought down to 500 cash after he pocketed 300 and gave me receipt for 200 |
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| Posted by: Jackie M. in Liverpool, NY. | Posted: October 8th, 2017 04:10AM |
I have severe allergies and a son with asthma, we both were suffering with breathing issues after we moved into an older home in CNY. I called around and got a couple estimates for Air Duct Cleaning and went with Home Enhancement Solutions. Very courteous and professional, they cleaned every nook and corner of the duct work, all the vents and covers, the furnace and blower. They even showed me some of the stuff they pulled out, gross... but we are both breathing better. I will be having this done every year even though they said it may not be necessary to clean, but they will come back in a year and check for free. Highly recommend these guys to anyone that needs this done. |
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| Posted by: Joanne Mansell in Marietta, GA. | Posted: May 4th, 2017 12:05PM |
I found them on craigslist. I had called 2 other companies and they weren't able to come out till next week. I spoke toa friendly customer service person who set me up with an appointment for last Saturday. The technician came out and cleaned all of the grill covers and inside all of the ducts and registers. He also disinfected my 3 units and cleaned the plenum. Great job. |
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| Posted by: Carol GW in Round Rock, TX. | Posted: October 28th, 2016 01:10PM |
Upon moving into 9-yr old home, contacted company via mailer coupon to pre-treat/clean/deodorize carpets for 3Rms/$85 & Whole House Air Duct Clean/HVAC Checkup + 2 FREE Rms Carpet Clean/$75. After 1 hr cleaning carpets & vents, told me main unit was caked with pet dander & mold, that they could remedy by deep cleaning main unit coils/ wires/blower/plenum ($489)/sanitize ducts & apply anti-fungal/bacterial Treatment ($429); Mold Treat AC unit/ducts ($329), all for $1,523 to be paid 6 payments @ $253.83/ea due 1st of month. When I called to have carpet re-cleaned due to stains, odors, & poor cleaning job, after completing re-do, Steamers employee demanded that I give him pre-dated checks for the remaining 4 months and when I refused he threatened to send me to collections when I had already paid 2 months as agreed. BAD EXPERIENCE due to his tone & attempt to prevent me from closing door when I refused to argue with him. I will report the overcharge/threatening behavior to BBB & Yelp! |
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| Posted by: Teddy G in Vineland, NJ. | Posted: September 3rd, 2016 03:09PM |
Had my ducts cleaned by Pure Aire duct cleaning. I had a coupon they did the job for the price of the coupon. They took out a bunch of junk out of the ducts. Very happy |
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| Posted by: Debs in Irvine, CA. | Posted: November 12th, 2015 03:11PM |
I lived in this apartment. For 22 months and when I moved out the had the air ducts cleaned and billed me for the cost. I am curious who should be responsible for doing this and what reasons would they have for this being my responsibility. |
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| Posted by: kayla weatherson in Atlanta, GA. | Posted: July 21st, 2015 11:07AM |
They cleaned my two units and plenum for $500. This price included the disinfection. I was very happy with the service. |
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| Posted by: a user in PLYMOUTH, CT. | Posted: June 9th, 2015 10:06AM |
I used SUPERIOR FUEL IN WATERBURY IT DEPENDED ON REGISTERS I HAD BUT THEY WHERE IVERY GOOD THEY WENT DOWN EACH LINE TOOK OFF ALL REGISTERS AND WASHED AND SANITZED THEM. aS THEY DID EACH LINE THERE WAS ALSO A SANTATIZER SPRAYED . I GOT B4 AND AFTER PHOTOS AND IT TOOK ABOUT 3 HRS WAS VERY IMPRESSED AND NOTICE A BIG DIFFERENCE IN HEAT FLOW. |
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| Posted by: TLP in Denver, CO. | Posted: April 11th, 2015 01:04PM |
Ductworks cleaned my ducts, tech had to borrow a screwdriver to remove registers, they used a shop vacuum in the house that we had to listen to for 4+ hours.While brushing with the electric brush an vacuum running blew the breaker at least 6 times. He did not adequately vacuum ducts after brushing, house smelled like dust and mold every time the furnace came on for over a month. I would never use this company again! |
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| Posted by: Rohit Singh in DUVALL, WA. | Posted: March 11th, 2015 04:03PM |
bought this $39 coupon for Furnace TuneUp,Return Air Duct cleaning and Dryer vent cleaning from Amazon Local.
The company was Orca Garage door. But people from
Air Duct Pro came. They started cleaning the vents and then asked for coupon.
They said that the coupon does not cover the vents.
As they had started the work, as courtesy, I said that I will pay them for the work which was quoted as $39 more.
Then they started telling that the furnace and all the vents are relay dirty and that they need to be deep cleaned and gave me a quote of $1000,
and insisted hard that I get it done.
They finally gave a 20% discount(if I pay cash) and settled at $800(in addition to the $39 I had already paid for the coupon).
They seemed to be using inferior tools and were done cleaning 14 vents for a 3400 sqft home in 2 hrs.
I only found out later about how these scams run.
If you have bought the coupon, call them and be really firm that u don't want any exta service. |
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| Posted by: Barbera in Newtown, CT. | Posted: October 8th, 2014 03:10PM |
I had New England Duct Care come to my home and I couldn't be happier. They showed me with their camera how my ducts looked FIRST! Then they showed me after. Be aware of groupon, I had an estimate done. The groupon said $35 and they wanted to charge $1500!!!!!!!! |
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| Posted by: Pam Robbins in Billings, MT. | Posted: October 6th, 2014 03:10PM |
The team (yes, two people) took most of the day and thoroughly cleaned everything including the blower wheel, AC coils, condenser outside, registers, boots, trunklines, and plenums. The said they follow the national air duct cleaners assn which requires a huge HEPA-filtered collector while cleaning, rotating brushes in the duct work, air sweeping tools, etc... I thought they were very professional and very thorough! And all at a great price. |
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| Posted by: Torro in Modesto, CA. | Posted: September 24th, 2014 10:09PM |
Found a deal on groupon for $59, for duct cleaning. Two guys came out a week later. They cleaned all the vents then stuck a vacuum in the main vent, they said, and let the machine go to work. Still not sure if that's right but I'll do more research later. Said my furnace was dirty they could clean it and patch a few wholes in the system for $260. The job took about 1hr. And 15mins. My son now has cold air in his room, vents were cleaned, gave me peace of mind. It was an experience. |
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| Posted by: CMB in Henderson, NV. | Posted: April 25th, 2014 01:04PM |
After a scheduled inspection, the technician recommended a deep duct clean, including disassembly of the motor/blower and heat exchanger. The next day, two guys called me to let me know they were on their way (early!). They wore shoe-booties while in the house and used a pump the size of a large fridge. They told me exactly what they were doing and in what order. They removed the ceiling registers and cleaned them. Afterward, they even vacuumed the areas around the registers to get fallen paint/dust. I have a new baby coming and while I initially thought $700 was high, I found that for a 3000+sq ft house and two 5-ton units it was a great deal. |
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| Posted by: Vincent Careatti in Alexandria, VA. | Posted: July 5th, 2013 05:07PM |
A $99 special turned up hidden costs . $25 for service call, every duct after 10 was $20 per duct. Told them to get out of my house. The man became very vocal and yelled at me all the way back to his truck. I said "don't you shout at me". Called Sears and got nowhere not even an apology for the conduct of its technician. After reading all of these articles I'll stick my vacuum hose as a DIY project. |
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| Posted by: DavidJ in Sunnyvale, CA. | Posted: May 23rd, 2013 04:05PM |
I bought a Supply Vent Cleaning + Furnace Inspection service with GreenHeat service back through Amazon deal in Nov and used it before it expires. Cost 50$ for that deal. 2 guys came did the vent cleaning very quick and after inspecting the furnace, talked me into doing a deep cleaning for the blower. After 20% discount, price was 375, so I bargained down to 320$. They took the blower out, cleaned throughly (it was very dirty). Also sanitized and vacuum the rest of the furnace. I am satisfied with their service. |
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| Posted by: Marry louis in Naperville, IL. | Posted: February 24th, 2013 09:02PM |
Great service they use truck mount take them 3 hours. Found them after they clean my friend house she was very happy so called them. They explain what will be done and did a walk throw. Highly recommended |
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| Posted by: Deborah Lee-Uruqhart in Upper Marlboro, MD. | Posted: February 20th, 2013 12:02PM |
I have filed a claim with the BBB because this company is a scam. They charged me $1,590 and their initial coupon stated whole house for $89.00. I live in a small townhouse. They claimed I had mold, but another company came out the next day, and felt that there was no mold. I never had musty smell in my house nor alot of dust; ever any type of water damage; I should have researched this more before answering in ad in the Penny Saver. Big mistake on my part, and now I'm trying to get reimbursed for at least half of what I spent. |
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| Posted by: Koya in phoenix, AZ. | Posted: February 5th, 2013 12:02PM |
We called this company Arizona Carpet and Duct cleaning because we got a coupon in the mail for a 24.99 carpet cleaning so we decided to have the duct cleaned with out and over the phone estimate. Bad idea. When they got here they took out our air filter and said we had mold and it was going to cost 2000.00 not including the carpets. In the end we ended up talking them down to $500. If you can bargain do it. |
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| Posted by: Chuck Shue in Carmel, IN. | Posted: January 10th, 2013 01:01PM |
I had Indy Air Care LLC come out to do a $25 air cleaning coupon on August 2nd, 2012, and the representative had stated and priced out a complete air cleaning which totaled around $1,600's for 13 vents, 2 returns, and he had called the owner/manager, and the price was reduced to $1,200s.
The company was Indy Air Care LLC.
I sent them an email requesting why they had charged me so much...still no reply. |
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| Posted by: Scott Reames in springdale, AR. | Posted: February 15th, 2012 12:02PM |
Why does Sears charge extra to clean the coil and doesn't even talk about cleaning the blower wheel? |
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| Posted by: sarah in Illinois in Mattoon, IL. | Posted: October 30th, 2011 02:10PM |
I had my ducts cleaned by Pure Air. They came out and gave me a free camera inspection, showed me all the debris in my ducts then showed me the equipment they used. They also did a free crawlspace inspection for mold and cleaned my dryer vent. I shopped around and they were by far the least expensive in our area. Afterwards they put the camera back in my ducts and showed me how clean they were. Took about 2 hours, they were very professional and friendly. My house smells great and I feel that I'm breathing much easier now. I recommend them highly! |
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| Posted by: Happiest Homeowner in Richfield, MN. | Posted: September 7th, 2010 01:09PM |
I had my ducts cleaned by Perfect Plus which does the Rotary Cleaning as well as the referred to "blow and go" cleaning. I felt the rotary cleaning was very beneficial. I am a new homeowner who bought a house (built in the 1950's) that had been vacant for over a year.
The workers showed me the vacuum prior to and after the completed work. Once the cleaning process was complete, the vacuum had a huge pile of dust inside. The cleaning gave me peace of mind just knowing the air I was breathing was rid of the dust the home had been accumulating over the years. I highly recommend duct cleaning as well as this company. |
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External Resources: | - www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/airduct.html#Summary
- real-estate-agents.com/tips/air/duct-vent-cleaning/?Real-Estate-Agents.com
- www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/airduct.html
- www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/airduct.html#deciding%20to%20have%20your%20air%20ducts%20cleaned
- www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/airduct.html#choosing%20a%20duct%20cleaning%20service%20provider
- www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/airduct.html#what%20to%20expect%20of%20an%20air%20duct%20clea...
- www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/airduct.html#how%20to%20determine%20if%20the%20duct%20cleaner...
- www.nadca.com/en/home
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