Understanding Air Duct Cleaning Cost

Average Duct Cleaning Cost. 

An average cost would be around $300 – $600 plus GST and fees, but there is more to it than that. While it seems simple enough, unfortunately, there is no simple answer to the question: “How much does Furnace and Air Duct Cleaning Cost?” There is usually no set rate. Prices Fluctuate. For example, a Duct Cleaning Cost in Calgary could be as little as $170.00 or as high as $1000 or even more! Caution is advised, though, on ‘cheap’ charges. The actual cost will depend on several factors outlined below.

Residential versus Commercial Furnace Cleaning Costs. 

The typical residential heating system in Alberta is Forced Air. Ductwork in Commercial Buildings is different. Commercial Systems are more complex. The Ducts are substantially more extensive, and costs will be more expensive. Dang Good Carpet and Furnace Cleaning cleans HVAC Systems in Residential Properties. Subsequently, this blog is about residential duct cleaning costs.

Duct Cleaning Costs may depend on the Cleaning Company You Choose. 

There are companies out there that are pretty pricey. Other companies may be way cheaper. We suggest you do your homework. Watch out for scammers! The Cheapest is not always the best or even that good. Some companies initially quote very little, but the story differs when they are in your home. Their up-sell policies can be aggressive. If the Duct Cleaning Cost seems too good to be true, there’s a good chance it is. Ask when getting quotes whether the price will change on-site.

When you call us for a quote, we will ask you several questions to accurately determine your price. As long as the information you provide is accurate, there should be no surprises once we enter your home. Sure, we may ask you if you would like some of our other services, but we do not pressure sell, and any suggestions are intended to be helpful, nothing more. We hope you feel entirely comfortable saying “no.”

Some customers insist when they call that they don’t want to be ‘up-sold.’ Our technicians are told not to upsell but work from the work order provided. However, we cannot speak for other companies; suffice it to say it would be advisable to check out the reputation of each company before booking a service. See more below.

Price will depend on how many Furnaces are in the home. 

Many homes have one furnace, but larger homes (around 2800 sq. ft.) often have two furnaces. Not surprisingly, there are additional charges associated with cleaning a second furnace. Your Duct Cleaning Cost will be at least $90 more expensive.

The Type of Furnace you have may affect the Duct Cleaning Cost. 

Some homes will have a Mid-Efficiency or High-Efficiency Furnace instead of a conventional Gas Furnace. A few companies will charge extra for those. However, Dang Good does not.

Costs are associated with the Number of Ducts in the Home. 

The size of the home will likely determine the number of vents installed. The number of furnaces and ducts will then determine your duct cleaning cost. Please see below for more information on assessing the Duct Count.

Do you have Central Air Conditioning? 

In homes with Air Conditioning, the technician must do an AC Bypass to protect the Air Conditioning Unit while the furnace gets cleaned. There is a charge for that. For our current cost for an AC Bypass, check out our Price List.

What is the Level of Contamination in the HVAC System? 

Occasionally extra charges may apply if the HVAC system is heavily contaminated. For example, a situation could occur where the furnace has not been cleaned in several years, requiring more in-depth cleaning. Likewise, any recent building renovations in the home could cause excessive debris or dust.

Sometimes there is evidence that rodents have found their way into the ductwork, as seen from droppings or even a dead rodent itself! On rare occasions, there can be signs of mould too. Occasionally, some pets shed excessively, leaving a mass of hair in the ducts.

Yes, we have seen it all. Birds Nests, Toys, even Underwear! However, discretion is paramount when we are in people’s homes. We have yet to find any money in the ductwork. Once, we found a large diamond ring right by a vent in a closet. Of course, it was immediately brought to the customer’s attention, even though they were not at home when cleaning occurred. Integrity is fundamental to us.

If a technician reports any of the above contamination scenarios not initially quoted or mentioned at the time of booking, please ask them to show you the evidence.

Is Sanitization Required? 

Mould or Rodent infestations would motivate most homeowners or residents of a rental home to ask about Sanitization. In addition, customers moving into a new home often request this option, as do new parents or soon-to-be parents looking to minimize germs and bacteria risks in the home for their new offspring.

COVID-19 and other infections have also prompted a need for Sanitization. 

Other Furnace Cleaning Add-ons. 

Our Contact Page lists the add-on options shown below with pricing. However, only the first three optional add-ons are highlighted when you call. Notably, Furnace Filters are not on the list as a Standard Furnace Filter Replacement is included free of charge in our service.

Please see our blog article: “Why Regular Furnace Filter Replacement is Important.”

Optional Add-On Services. 

• Sanitization (Per Furnace)
• Dryer Vent Cleaning (except Roof Top)
• Gas Fireplace Cleaning
• Air Exchange Unit Cleaning
• Air Recovery Unit
• Central Vac System
• Fresh (Cold) Air Intake Cleaning
• Furnace Chimney (B Vent)
• Hot Water Tank Burner
• Humidifier Cleaning and Replace Filter
• Jumper Duct Cleaning

Environmental Fees and GST. 

At the time of writing, we charge a $25 fee on all our call-out services which contributes towards fuel and appropriate waste disposal. In addition, GST is always set on the sub-total.

Counting the Vents/Ducts in the Home. 

Generally, Cleaning Service Contractors will count both the Hot and Cold Air Vents and make a charge on the total number of Vents. (Note: The words: Vents, Ducts, Returns or Registers are often used interchangeably).

The Cold Air Returns are larger vents than the Hot Air vents. To get a rough idea of the vent count in the home, you can make an educated guess based on Square Footage. See the guidelines in the table below. Please note Square Footage is for the top (one or two) floors in the home and not the basement. This would be the size quoted by a realtor when buying or selling a property.

Other Considerations Beyond Price. 

• Reputation – We recommend that you look at how reputable a Contractor is before allowing them into your home. Do they have Insurance or WCB? Do they have any Industry Recognition or Awards? HomeStars, BBB etc., Look online if it is not evident from their Website. You can search their Reviews and Testimonies and read what others say about them.
• Equipment Used – Does the company use Truckmounted or Portable Units, and what are the PSI pressure levels? Not all Furnace and Duct Cleaning Units are created equal. Many will advocate for Truckmounted Equipment, which we currently use, but some excellent portable systems exist. Indeed some companies promote portable equipment over truckmounted equipment because the customer’s door may get left ajar with a Truckmount System. However, Dang Good can overcome that issue by using a Seal-A Door to keep drafts and cold out if necessary.
• Method of Cleaning – What process does the cleaning company use? As mentioned on our Furnace Cleaning page, we use the technique outlined by QUADCA  (Qualified Air Duct Cleaners Association), with whom we have a membership.

Is Duct Cleaning Cost Affordable? 

We are the first to admit that Duct Cleaning can get expensive, especially if you have a large home, but can you afford not to have it done? However, there are many notable advantages to Furnace and Duct Cleaning, and it may save you money in the long run.

Are there any Furnace Cleaning Deals available? 

A lot of companies offer percentage discounts or time-sensitive specials. Check to see if there are any price reductions available on a Company’s website. We have several deals on our Cleaning Deals Page.

We feel our Furnace and Air Duct Cleaning Cost is very competitive, especially when you take advantage of the abovementioned deals. As the slogan goes, you get: ‘A Dang Good Clean for A Dang Good Price."

We try our best to keep costs affordable to the average homeowner or resident tenant, yet we do not compromise on quality or customer service. On the contrary, we take pride in caring for your home in the same way you do. Booking with us ensures you give your home the TLC it deserves. But of course, don’t take our word for it! Instead, follow the pointers above to see how we measure up.

• What is Air Vent Cleaning?
• Furnace and Air Duct Cleaning Page
• Why replacing your Furnace Filter is important
• Contact and General Pricing

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