HVAC cost guide
Air Duct Cleaning Cost in 2026: Pricing by Home Size & Number of Vents
Air duct cleaning typically costs $271 to $509 (about $390 on average). Compare prices by home size, number of vents, add-on services, and a Chicago example.
Last reviewed: October 2026
Cost Snapshot
$271 – $509
Professional air duct cleaning typically costs between $271 and $509, with a national average of about $390, based on Angi's 2026 cost data. Price scales with home size and vent count: about $140 to $250 for a 1,000 sq ft home and $450 to $900 for a 3,000 sq ft home, or $200 to $400 for 8 vents and $500 to $1,000 for 20. Add-ons such as video inspection, dryer vent cleaning, or duct repair are priced separately. Angi's Chicago page reports a local average of $325, which is an example, not a national figure.
Typical planning range based on the published references reviewed for this guide. Use it to prepare questions and compare written, itemized contractor proposals. Actual costs vary with project scope, materials, access, permits, and local conditions.
Parts vs. Labor Breakdown
| Component | Typical range | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Labor | $270 – $500 | Cleaning crew labor, which makes up the whole package price. Angi reports $90 to $125 per hour and 3 to 8 hours for a job; the typical $271 to $509 price corresponds to the 3 to 4 hour end of that duration, which is a planning assumption. Larger or more contaminated systems take longer and cost more. Benchmark: BLS reports a May 2025 national median wage of $29.33 per hour for HVAC mechanics and installers. |
Cost by Capacity & Scope
| Size / scope | Typical coverage | Estimated installed cost | Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,000 sq ft home | Condo or small home | $140 – $250 | $195 |
| 1,200 sq ft home | Small home | $180 – $360 | $270 |
| 1,500 sq ft home | Mid-size home | $225 – $450 | $338 |
| 2,000 sq ft home | Typical single-family home | $300 – $600 | $450 |
| 3,000 sq ft home | Large home | $450 – $900 | $675 |
Cost by Equipment Type & Efficiency
| Type | Spec | Typical cost | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 Vents | Package by vent count | $200 – $400 | Cleaning package priced by the number of supply and return vents. |
| 12 Vents | Package by vent count | $300 – $600 | Cleaning package priced by the number of supply and return vents. |
| 16 Vents | Package by vent count | $400 – $800 | Cleaning package priced by the number of supply and return vents. |
| 20 Vents | Package by vent count | $500 – $1,000 | Cleaning package priced by the number of supply and return vents. |
Additional Line Items Often Needed
| Item | Typical cost | Necessity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video Inspection | $70 – $130 | Optional | A camera inspection of the duct interior before or after cleaning. |
| Dryer Vent Cleaning | $100 – $170 | Optional | About $100 when added to a duct cleaning service; $100 to $170 on its own. |
| Furnace Cleaning | $60 – $150 | Optional | Cleaning the furnace along with the duct system. |
| Duct Repair Found During Cleaning | $200 – $800 | As Needed | Repairs to damaged or disconnected duct sections discovered during the job. |
| Duct Coating or Sealant | $180 – $630 | Optional | Applied after cleaning to seal the interior surface. |
| Mold Remediation | $1,100 – $3,400 | As Needed | Only when mold is found in the system; a separate project from cleaning. |
| Pest Removal | $200 – $1,200 | As Needed | When animals or insects have nested in the ducts. |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does air duct cleaning cost?
Professional air duct cleaning typically costs $271 to $509, with a national average of about $390, according to Angi's 2026 data. Home size, the number of vents, and the condition of the system set the price.
How much does duct cleaning cost per vent?
Angi prices cleaning packages by vent count: $200 to $400 for 8 vents, $300 to $600 for 12, $400 to $800 for 16, and $500 to $1,000 for 20. Dividing those prices by the vent count gives roughly $25 to $50 per vent (calculated, not a published figure).
How much does it cost to clean ducts in a 2,000 sq ft house?
Angi's size table lists $300 to $600 for a 2,000 sq ft home, $225 to $450 for 1,500 sq ft, and $450 to $900 for 3,000 sq ft. One Angi example text quotes a lower figure for 1,500 sq ft than its own table, and we use the table values.
How much does duct cleaning cost in Chicago?
Angi's Chicago page reports an average of $325 and a typical range of $260 to $390, with metal ducts at $130 to $340 and flexible ducts at $300 to $430. These are local figures from one city, not national prices. Chicago does not require a permit for a simple cleaning.
What extras can raise the price of duct cleaning?
A video inspection adds $70 to $130, dryer vent cleaning about $100, and furnace cleaning $60 to $150. Repairs found during cleaning cost $200 to $800. Mold remediation ($1,100 to $3,400) or pest removal ($200 to $1,200) are separate projects that only apply when the problem is found.
Is duct cleaning priced by the hour or by the job?
Most companies quote a package based on home size or vent count. Angi lists crew rates of $90 to $125 per hour and 3 to 8 hours of work, but those figures explain the package price and should not be added to it as separate charges.
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How we estimate these planning ranges and the sources we review.