Bleach: A mixture of one part bleach with 16 parts water can get air vents clean. First, use a HEPA vacuum on the vents, and then soak a rag with the bleach solution and scrub any moldy spots. Carefully remove the vent cover and soak it for a few minutes.
Turn off the HVAC, wear protective gear, and vacuum the ducts. Clean mold with a bleach solution, apply a mold inhibitor, and dry the ducts completely. Replace the air filters and keep an eye out for mold. Call a pro if necessary.
DIY Mold Cleaner: The Baking Soda, Detergent, Water Solution, or Using Bleach or Vinegar. One of the most effective ways to remove mold from your air ducts is by using a homemade solution of baking soda, detergent, and water. This mix is efficient and safe for your health and the environment.
The simple answer is, you cannot clean it yourself. It require special tools as well as skills to cleat it. There are robots and special cleaning mechanisms for duct cleaning.
Removing mold infestation from air ducts requires the use of professional techniques and tools. The project may cost somewhere between $550 to $2,200, as the cleaners have to be thorough to ensure that no spores are left behind.
Since the interior of your air ducts is prone to some degree of moisture accumulation, it's not uncommon for mold to develop. And if you've never had professional duct cleaning before, there's a definite chance that hazardous mold is colonizing your HVAC system.
Homeowners insurance doesn't usually cover mold damage or removal unless it's the result of a covered peril. If the mold in your residence was caused by something sudden or accidental, such as a bursting pipe or some other covered incident on your policy, you may be protected.
Clean ducts ensure smoother airflow, reducing energy costs. Extended System Life: Regular cleaning minimizes wear and tear on your HVAC system, potentially saving you substantial money on future repairs or the need for early replacement.
Duct cleaning has never been shown to actually prevent health problems. Neither do studies conclusively demonstrate that particle (e.g., dust) levels in homes increase because of dirty air ducts. This is because much of the dirt in air ducts adheres to duct surfaces and does not necessarily enter the living space.
While a regular household vacuum can help with surface cleaning, it may not be powerful enough to thoroughly clean your air ducts. A shop vacuum with a long hose and specialized attachments is recommended for a more effective clean.
The Negative Effects of Mold in Air Vents
Aside from a musty smell, mold spores can cause people to experience health problems, such as coughing, sneezing, nasal blockage, itchy eyes, skin irritation, breathing difficulties, stuffy nose, runny nose, headaches, and other allergy-like symptoms.
Vinegar is better at killing mold because it can work on both porous and nonporous surfaces. It also terminates molds at their roots so the mold won't return and is also safer than bleach. You can even combine it with baking soda to make it more effective.
Can I spray vinegar in air ducts? Yes. Vinegar can help break up the dirt in the ductwork so that you can clean them more easily. Use a mix of ¼ cup of vinegar with 2 cups of water in a spray bottle.
Home Size: Installing ductwork in a small 1,000-square-foot home can cost as little as $1,400. In a 2,000- to 3,000-square-foot home, it can cost from $2,800 to $6,700, while the same project in a 4,000-square-foot home can cost as much as $9,000. ¹
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the average cost for properly cleaning an entire air duct system in an average-sized home ranges from $450 to $1,000.
It's absolutely not a waste of money, as long as it's not performed too frequently. Homeowners usually only need to consider air duct cleaning when visible signs of dust buildup are present, if they've noticed a change in respiratory or allergy symptoms, or if it's been several years since the last duct cleaning.
The offer price is most likely per vent pricing and does not factor in the cost of the entire cleaning. While it may seem like a money-saving deal, the final price tag will probably be closer to that $450-$1000 range.
Factors Influencing Air Duct Cleaning Costs
Size of Home/HVAC System: Larger homes with more ductwork naturally require more time and effort to clean, leading to higher costs.
Most mold removal professionals charge around $10 to $25 per square foot. So, if you're removing mold from a 100-square-foot area, you can expect to pay around $1,000 to $2,500. But factors like where the growth is and the mold type can affect how much it costs to remove it.
Spray the area with a mixture of water and vinegar - half water, half vinegar. Next, scrub to remove all traces of the mold. For removal of black and white mold, spray the area with the half water and half vinegar solution.
Mold removal or remediation qualifies as a deductible expense from your income for federal taxes because the Internal Revenue Service considers it an essential repair required to maintain the value of your home.