Let’s Learn About Duct Cleaning

Step 3: If You Decide to Hire a Duct Cleaner

If you ultimately decide to have your ducts cleaned, here’s how to hire a duct cleaner that is responsible. 

Step 4:

Don’t Get Reeled in by Low Prices Online

Professional air duct cleaning is not cheap and ranges in cost between $400-$750

What to avoid

Don’t hire a duct cleaner that makes sweeping claims about health benefits or claims to be EPA-certified for duct cleaning: That agency offers no such certification.

Shop for a good price, but avoid companies that advertise specials under $200, or even under $100. Known in the industry as “blow-and-go” outfits, they will likely just hook up a vacuum to part of your duct system and do a poor job. Or use the low price as a bait-and-switch tactic. If the deal sounds too good or you have a bad feeling you should trust your instincts. 

What to look for

Focus your search on contractors who belong to the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA), a nonprofit trade association. Ask for written proof of a company’s NADCA membership and certification, or use the NADCA website.

NADCA members must subscribe to the NADCA code of ethics. More importantly, they must employ at least one NADCA-trained-and-certified technician and employ NADCA-approved methods. Members must also carry at least $500,000 in liability insurance.

Suggestions for Choosing a Duct Cleaning Service Provider

Pre-Inspection

Get several companies to come to your home to perform inspections and provide estimates. Ask them to perform the inspection while you are present. Inspections might consist of only a flashlight and mirrors or involve inserting a video camera into the ducts. Ask them to show you the contamination that would justify having your ducts cleaned.

Confirm that the cleaning will cover the entire system. A cleaning should include supply duct work, return duct work, supply plenum (chamber), return plenum, and all registers and grilles. You may agree, for a reduced price, to exclude the blower fan assembly, heat exchangers, evaporator coils, and collector pans if those are serviced under a maintenance plan with a heating and air-conditioning contractor. But these are the elements most relevant to system efficiency and should be explicitly listed by the duct-cleaning company unless you have agreed to exclude them.

Before agreeing to any work, get written estimates after each inspection. Get the company to agree in writing that it will perform to the standards of NADCA and the EPA.

The A Method for Hiring

Do not assume that all duct cleaning service providers are equally knowledgeable and responsible. Highly recommended using one of the three sources below.

Verification

ADCBV has done an excellent job of creating a score rating system to properly compare a business.

ADCBV Rating

Word of Mouth

Still one of the best ways to find good help. Ask family and friends who they used and their feedback.

Ask Family or Friends

NADCA Directory

Excellent source for locating a certified ASCS to clean the air ducts inside your home.

NADCA Directory

$400

Average Price

Across North America the average price for air duct cleaning is $400

75+

Local Businesses

In most popular cities in North America, there is a lot of choices.

14+

Days

Reputable duct cleaning companies’ turnaround times are over 14 days!