Understanding Air Duct Cleaning Cost
How much does Furnace and Air Duct Cleaning Cost?
Check out our Tips for assessing Duct Cleaning Costs before you Book.
Average Duct Cleaning Cost
An average cost would be around $350-$500 plus GST, but there is more to it than that. While it seems a simple question, unfortunately, there is no simple answer to: “how much does Furnace and Air Duct Cleaning Cost?” There is not a set rate. Prices Fluctuate. In Calgary, for example, a Duct Cleaning Cost can range from $170.00 to $1000 or even more. However, it depends 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 bigger, and costs are likely to be far more expensive. Dang Good Carpet and Furnace Cleaning currently will only clean HVAC systems in Residential Properties. This blog covers 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 is different when they are in your home. The up-selling 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.
When you call us for a quote, we will ask you a series of questions. 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 or make helpful suggestions, but our policy is to do so in a way that is not coercive. We hope you feel completely comfortable saying “no.”
Some customers insist when they call that they don’t want to be ‘up-sold.’ We make that very clear to the technician on their work order. We cannot speak for other companies, suffice to say it is advisable to check out the reputation of each company before booking your 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 will need to do an AC Bypass to protect the Air Conditioning Unit while the furnace gets cleaned. There is a charge for that. For our current charge 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, that situation could occur when the furnace has not been cleaned in several years. Likewise, any recent building renovations in the home could cause an excess of debris or dust.
Sometimes there is evidence that rodents have found their way into the ductwork, as can be seen from droppings or even a dead rodent itself! On rare occasions, there can be signs of mould too. From time to time, pets who shed excessively can leave an incredible amount 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. Once, we found a large diamond ring right by a vent in a closet. Of course, it was immediately bought to the customer’s attention, even though they were not at home at the time of cleaning. Integrity is fundamental to us.
If a technician reports any contamination scenarios mentioned above that were not initially quoted or mentioned at the time of booking, please ask them to show you the evidence.
You would be surprised at what we find!
Is Sanitization Required?
Mould or Rodent infestations would for sure 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 has also prompted a need for Sanitization.
Other Furnace Cleaning Add-On's
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 charged 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 covers 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.
Approximate Number of Ducts/Vents by Square Foot
1000 Square Foot
Approximately 12-17 Vents or maybe lower
1500 Square Foot
Approximately 18 – 24 Vents or maybe lower
2000 Square Foot
25 Vents More or Less
2500 Square Foot
30 Plus Vents
3000 Square Foot
35 Plus Vents
3500 Square Foot
35 – 40 Vents
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 are saying 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 there are some excellent portable systems out there. 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 if necessary by using a Seal-A Door to keep drafts and cold out.
- 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.
Where is Dang Good Carpet and Furnace Cleaning on the Price Spectrum for Duct Cleaning?
Well, we feel our Furnace and Air Duct Cleaning Cost is highly competitive, especially when you take advantage of our deals mentioned above. As the slogan goes, you get: 'A Dang Good Clean for A Dang Good Price."
We try our best to keep costs down and 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 the same way you do by booking us to 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.
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