One crucial aspect of the home that people often ignore is the air duct system. Your air duct circulates air through the heating and cooling system into your living area. A dirty duct will certainly contaminate the air you breathe in your home.

Hence, it goes without saying that cleaning your air ducts occasionally is vital. Now, the question of the century is how much will professional air duct cleaning cost you?

The range can be pretty wide, anywhere from $100 to $1000 or more for an average-sized house in Canada.

Generally, the costs of cleaning your ducts hinge on where you live, the size of your home, how many vents and returns you have, etc.

Before you call a local duct cleaning service to schedule an appointment, it’s good to know how much air duct cleaning costs and the factors determining the total bill. That way, you can make an informed decision.

The Importance of Regular Duct Cleaning

Duct cleaning isn’t the most exciting home maintenance task, but it’s essential for your health and energy efficiency. Regular duct cleaning removes built-up dust, pet dander, mold, and other allergens from your air ducts and ventilation system. Basically, it helps with the following:

• Air ducts get dirty over time, and all that grime gets blown into your living space every time the HVAC runs. Not only is this unhealthy to breathe in, but it can also reduce your system’s efficiency by up to 30%! Thus, cleaning your ducts professionally every few years removes these pollutants and helps your HVAC run better.
• Duct cleaning is essential if you have pets, smokers in the home, or live in an area with high pollution. Pet dander, smoke residue, and environmental toxins wreak havoc on indoor air quality and stick to the sides of air ducts. A professional deep clean is the only way to entirely remove these contaminants from your system.

How do you know your ducts require cleaning? Dirty air ducts have the following features:

• Musty smells when the HVAC turns on
• Visible mold growth on vents or registers
• Excess dust in the home
• Respiratory issues
• Drop in HVAC performance.

Finally, when in doubt, scheduling a duct inspection is best to determine if cleaning would help.

Factors That Determine Air Duct Cleaning Cost

When it comes to getting your air ducts cleaned, the total cost depends on several factors.

The size of your home and the HVAC system are significant contributors. Cleaning the ducts in a larger house with a bigger furnace and AC unit will cost more than in a smaller place. Most companies charge by the vent, so more vents mean a higher price tag.

How dirty are your ducts? If your filters haven’t been changed in years and there’s visible mold or debris buildup, the job will probably take longer and cost more. Regular maintenance cleaning for ducts that are in decent shape will be on the lower end of the price spectrum.

Do you want additional services? Things like sanitizing the vents, cleaning the furnace fan and coils, or treating the ducts for mold or bacteria will increase costs. Basic duct cleaning only tackles the ducts themselves.

Where you live also plays a role. Duct cleaning prices tend to be higher in areas where the cost of living and wages are higher. Cleaning companies have to charge enough to pay their technicians and cover the cost of doing business.

As you can see, duct cleaning costs vary significantly based on several factors. The good news is that for a typical 3-bedroom home, you can expect to pay between $350 and $800 for high-quality duct cleaning in Canada.

Shop around, compare reviews, and get multiple estimates before hiring a pro to ensure you get a fair price.

Typical Air Duct Cleaning Prices in Canada

Here’s what you can typically expect to pay for professional duct cleaning.

$300 to $500 for a Small Home

If you live in a condo, apartment, or small house under 1000 square feet, you’ll probably pay on the lower end of the scale.

For basic cleaning of 6-12 vents and 1 or 2 returns, you can expect a professional air duct cleaner to charge $300 to $500. Companies often set by the vent, so fewer vents mean a lower total cost.

• In larger cities like Toronto or Vancouver, prices may be slightly higher.
• Additional services like vent sanitizing or mold removal can increase the total bill.

$500 to $800 for a Mid-Sized Home

Air duct cleaning services for a suburban home between 1000 to 2000 square feet with 10-20 vents and returns should cost between $500 to $800 to clean the ducts professionally.

• Homes with multiple floors or HVAC zones may pay on the higher end of this range.
• Prices are lower in smaller towns and rural areas outside major city centers.

$800 to $1500 for a Large House

Larger homes over 2000 square feet, especially those with high-end HVAC systems, can cost $800 to $1500 or more to clean the ductwork. Homes with 25 or more vents and multiple returns are at the higher end of the scale.

• Additional services like vent sanitizing, coil cleaning, or air filter upgrades will increase costs.
• In remote or hard-to-access areas of Canada, higher travel fees may apply.

The bottom line is that while duct cleaning can seem expensive, it’s well worth the investment to improve your indoor air quality and HVAC efficiency.

Regular duct cleaning every 3-5 years can help prevent bigger issues from developing and keep your system running at peak performance.

Additional Services That Can Increase the Cost

Some local ducts cleaning services include full apartment cleaning services or any of these options:

Mold Remediation and Removal

If mold or mildew has started growing in your air ducts or HVAC system, remediation and removal add significantly to the total cost. Mold removal requires disinfecting and sanitizing air ducts and vents to eliminate spores and prevent future growth. Expect to pay $500 to $3,000 extra for mold remediation during air duct cleaning.

Air Vent and Register Cleaning

Air vents and registers collect dust over time and circulate it through your home. Asking the air duct cleaning company to clean all air vents and registers thoroughly adds an average of $2 to $5 per vent to the total cost. For a typical home with 10 to 15 vents, that can amount to an extra $30 to $100.

Dryer Vent Cleaning

If your clothes dryer vent hasn’t been cleaned in a while, it likely contains a buildup of lint that is a severe fire hazard. Most air duct cleaning companies can also clean and clear out dryer vents for an additional $50 to $150, depending on the length of the vent and how clogged it is. Bundling dryer vent cleaning with air duct cleaning often qualifies for package discounts from the service provider.

While the base cost of air duct cleaning provides substantial benefits, additional services further enhance your indoor environment and the efficiency of your HVAC system. Ask about available packages or bundled pricing to get the best overall value.

Ways to Save Money on Duct Cleaning

DIY What You Can

One of the most significant costs of duct cleaning is labor. So, do what you can yourself to save money. You can:

• Vacuum registers, vents, and grills to remove surface debris.
• Check and tighten duct connections to improve airflow. Use duct, foil, or mastic to seal loose or disconnected joints.
• Remove and clean return air grills and vents. Vacuum behind them to get rid of built-up dirt and dust.

Bundle With Other Services

Many HVAC companies offer discounts when you bundle duct cleaning with other services like furnace maintenance or air conditioning tune-ups. Ask if they have any current bundle deals or package discounts to make the most of their visit.

Negotiate the Price

Duct cleaning costs can vary significantly between companies. Don’t be afraid to compare quotes and negotiate the best deal. Explain your situation and see if they will work with you on the price, especially if you need additional services. They may be open to lowering or dropping certain fees to win your business.

Ask About Discounts

Inquire about company discounts for seniors, military members, healthcare workers, teachers, etc. Some also provide discounts for booking during their slower months or seasons. It never hurts to ask; the worst they can say is no.

Consider Professional Cleaning Alternatives

A professional cleaning may not be necessary for light to moderate dirt or dust buildup. Consider using an at-home duct cleaning kit or air purifier/ventilator to freshen and circulate the air in your ventilation system. Most companies provide an affordable alternative to complete professional duct cleaning services.

Keeping your costs under control requires doing some homework. Evaluate what you can handle yourself, look for ways to bundle or negotiate with pros, and consider more budget-friendly alternatives. That way, you can get your ducts spruced up with time and effort without breaking the bank.

Over To You

Well, if you vape indoors or have simply ignores your ducts for far too long, it’s time to get that cleaned up! As you can see, the cost varies quite a bit depending on where you live and the specifics of your HVAC system. But at the end of the day, keeping your airways clear and indoor air quality high is well worth the investment.

When you consider how much time we spend inside our homes, breathing in the air flowing through those ducts, paying a professional to clean them properly makes sense.

Now that you know how much to clean ducts, you can find a reputable pro in your area and schedule your duct cleaning without any surprises.