How Much Does It Cost to Clean AC Ducts?

How Much Does It Cost to Clean AC Ducts?

The following contribution is from another author.

Indoor air pollution is a growing concern. In fact, you have probably seen commercials advertising air duct cleaning services. Over time, your heating and cooling system components can become contaminated with pollen, dust, and other debris. The more humid the climate where you live, the more likely that mold is growing in your AC components. The build-up of these contaminants and mold spores can aggravate asthma, allergies, and other illnesses. If you have dusty or dirty vents, it is worth hiring a professional AC duct cleaning service to remove the accumulation of mold and particulates that I have collected in your ductwork.

The Cost of AC Duct Cleaning

The cost of your air duct cleaning service depends on the size of your system, system accessibility, how contaminated your system is, and the region you are living in. Generally, they can cost anywhere from $450 to $1000.

  • House size: The bigger your home, the more expensive your AC duct cleaning will be. The costs could be somewhere between $30 and $50 per vent that needs to be cleaned.
  • Accessibility of your ducts: Most attic and ceiling ducts are easy to get to, but if your ducts are in crawl spaces or behind walls, then these are much more difficult to reach and will increase your costs.
  • How dirty the ducts are: It takes much longer to clean extremely dirty or ducts. If the accumulation of dust, debris, and mold is significant, the AC duct cleaning team will have to use special equipment. Mold is one of the worst culprits of dirty ducts.
  • Who you hire and the quality of their work matters, too.

AC Duct Cleaning Is Good Maintenance

Scheduling an AC duct cleaning is a wise idea because your AC components get dirty over time. Your AC system can pull air and particulates from outside that get trapped inside your system. In worst cases, the build-up of these particulates can reduce the efficiency of your AC unit, cause your energy bills to spike and eventually damage certain components. When dirt and other particulates get inside of motors and other small parts, it can cause them to malfunction.

Air duct cleaning services, like DUCTZ of Greater Columbia, clean all your heating and cooling system components, including return air ducts, registers, grills, diffusers, heating and cooling coils, drip pans, fan motor, housing, and air handling unit housing. An AC duct cleaning keeps your system running smoothly and is part of good maintenance care.

Mold Grows In Humid Climates

Heavy rains in the summer and steamy, sweltering days are a threat to your AC system. When moisture finds its way into your ductwork, then it can breed mold. Fungal problems are common in humid areas, such as Florida. Spores can continue to colonize and spread in your air ducts, then eventually make their way into your lungs. If you notice any of these signs, then you need to schedule an AC duct cleaning right away:

  • There is a musty odor throughout your home or in one particular room.
  • The musty smell becomes stronger when the AC unit is turned on.
  • Increased allergy symptoms, especially when the AC unit is running
  • You notice black mold around vents, the AC drip pan, or in your ducts.

Author

Eric is the creator of At Home in the Future and has been a passionate fan of the future since he was seven. He's a web developer by trade, and serves as the Director of Communication and Technology for a large church in Nashville, TN (where he and his family are building a high tech home in the woods).