Leaky ducts can reduce heating and cooling system efficiency by as much as 20 percent. Sealing and insulating ducts increases efficiency, lowers your energy bills, and can often pay for itself in energy savings.
On average, sealing ducts costs about $1 per square foot. However, the layout of your ductwork and other factors can shift this figure from $0.50 to $1.50 per square foot.
Having your ducts sealed every ten years is a good way to ensure that your HVAC system runs as efficiently as possible.
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.
Duct Mastic- Widely regarded as the best solution for Duct Sealing by many professionals in the industry, Duct Mastic is a gooey, non-hardening material, which is non-toxic and flame resistant. Mastic sealant is often applied using a caulking gun, or a putty knife, and can last up to 20 years.
Leaky ducts can reduce heating and cooling system efficiency by as much as 20 percent. Sealing and insulating ducts increases efficiency, lowers your energy bills, and can often pay for itself in energy savings.
Some homeowners choose to take on duct sealing as a do-it-yourself project. Start by sealing air leaks using mastic sealant or metal tape and insulating all the ducts that you can access (such as those in attics, crawlspaces, unfinished basements, and garages). Never use duct tape, as it is not long-lasting.
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. However, there are several factors that affect the cost and time estimates of air duct cleaning: the type of ductwork.
If you notice a lot of dust in your house, it's likely due to a combination of factors affecting air quality and ventilation. Dust particles from outside can enter through open windows or doors, while indoor sources like pet dander, dead skin cells, and fibers from textiles contribute to the buildup.
Hot and/or Cool Spots
If your ducts aren't properly sealed, the temperature of your home may be inconsistent from room to room. Some rooms may be hot and stuffy while others may be frigid. This is a sign of an airflow issue, which can be caused by a hole or loosened connection in your ductwork.
Experts advise having your air ducts cleaned every 2 to 3 years to prevent many maintenance and health problems before they start. However, homes with pets or children with allergies should have their air ducts professionally cleaned more frequently than the recommended average.
One application of Flex Seal offers the kind of protection against leaks and corrosion,the main culprits when it comes to HVAC ductwork degradation. Now Flex Seal Insulation can be used in airless sprayers,making the task all the easier!
Ductwork has a maximum lifespan of 20-25 years, and starts to deteriorate around year 15. If your ductwork is more than 15 years old, you may need to have the ductwork inspected to see if it is time to replace it. If it is older than 25 years, you almost certainly need to replace the ductwork.
To prevent air leaks, duct sealing is necessary along the entire length of the ductwork system. Air leaks in your ductwork system can account for a significant loss of energy and money, especially larger systems in commercial buildings.
Duct replacement costs typically range from around $20–$60 per linear foot, based on our team's market research. For example, if your home has 100 feet of ductwork, a complete replacement can cost between $2,000 and $6,000.
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.
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.
EPA does not recommend that the air ducts be cleaned routinely, but only as needed. EPA does, however, recommend that if you have a fuel burning furnace, stove or fireplace, they be inspected for proper functioning and serviced before each heating season to protect against carbon monoxide poisoning.
Use a brush to loosen any buildup of dust in the ductwork. Lift register and insert vacuum hose as far into the piping as it can go. Turn the vacuum on to capture as much dust as possible that the fan is pushing through the ductwork.
One factor that greatly impacts the cost of a professional cleaning is the specialized equipment and products being used during the process. These tools are more advanced than your average household vacuum or floor mop—here are some ways they differ: Degree of Cleaning: Professional cleaning processes may vary (ie.
Duct sealing costs averages $2,250, but can increase depending on your home size and sealing method. Duct sealing costs $2,250 on average, and the typical cost range is between $500 and $4,000.
The length of time a duct seal can last is important given that houses are said to be designed to last 30 years and flex duct systems are often rated at 15 year life. Ideally, duct seals should last at least as long as the rest of the duct system, but are often observed to fail in a few years (Walker et al. 1998).
Top recommendations usually are Design Polymerics, Hardcast CCWI-181, and RCD #6 Mastic Air Duct Sealants.