Best Air Duct Cleaning Services

Keep your HVAC system clean and efficient

Jose Mendoza By
José R. Mendoza
Jose Mendoza
José R. Mendoza
José R. Mendoza has been working and managing construction projects since 2010 and has focused on building in a sustainable way. His work has been published in Popular Science and HuffPost, and he has written for The Spruce for more than a year.
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Updated on 10/17/22
Reviewed by
Johnathan Brewer
Johnathan Brewer
Reviewed by Johnathan Brewer
Johnathan C. Brewer II is a licensed general contractor specializing in kitchen, bath remodels, and general construction with two decades of professional experience.
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Elizabeth Brownfield
Elizabeth Brownfield
Fact checked by Elizabeth Brownfield
Elizabeth Brownfield is a writer, editor, and researcher with over 15 years of experience writing about travel, food, and the home. She has contributed to such publications as Vogue, Glamour, Food Network, Martha Stewart Living, Domino, Every Day with Rachael Ray, Fitness, Tasting Table, Eater, and TripSavvy.
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HVAC air duct systems don’t have to be cleaned that often and should only be done so as needed, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). For instance, there are specific circumstances in which your air ducts may need to be cleaned, such as when there is a rodent infestation, your home has been recently renovated, or your system has mold.

If your property meets the criteria for an air duct cleaning, be sure to hire a professional who follows the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) protocols and will provide a complete cleaning of the entire HVAC system. You should also be aware of cheap air duct cleaning scams, in which services are listed as low as $50 for your entire home's air ducts. For your peace of mind, we have put together a list of the best companies providing air duct cleaning services following the guidelines established by NADCA.

Best Air Duct Cleaning Services of 2023

Best Overall : DUCTZ

DUCTZ

DUCTZ
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Why We Chose It: DUCTZ specializes in providing air duct cleaning services for both commercial and residential properties, following NADCA's cleaning measures.

What We Like

  • Adheres to NADCA and EPA standards

  • Provides commercial and residential services

  • Experts in air duct systems

  • Over 50 locations throughout the nation

What We Don’t Like

  • Not all DUCTZ offices provide the same services

DUCTZ was established in 2002 and provides air duct cleaning and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning services for homeowners and businesses and has a presence in 23 states.

DUCTZ's certified professionals follow all of the protocols set by the NADCA for performing air duct cleanings. The company’s technicians are trained to efficiently and safely remove and clean all of the debris found in your air duct system, including the access points of the system as well as the blowers and coils. The company's thorough cleaning process includes the use of high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) vacuums, negative air pressure, and sealing and taping any holes before turning your system back on. In addition, DUCTZ offers dryer vent cleaning services and HVAC restorations.

The cost of the company's air duct cleaning service varies by location. When you get a quote from DUCTZ, you can expect to receive a detailed breakdown of the price and services. You can request a service on the company’s website or by contacting your local office.

Best for Mold Removal : AdvantaClean

AdvantaClean

AdvantaClean
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Why We Chose it: AdvantaClean offers a complete air duct cleaning and provides specialized mold removal services.

What We Like

  • NADCA- and IICRC-certified technicians

  • Online booking available

  • Offers dust, mold, and dirt removal

  • Licensed and insured staff

What We Don’t Like

  • Not available in all states

AdvantaClean was formed in Florida in 1994 in response to the Hurricane Andrew recovery efforts in the southern part of the state. Today, the company provides services in more than 200 locations across the country.

AdvantaClean serves both residential and commercial facilities, providing air duct cleaning following the strict specifications set by NADCA. Technicians are certified by the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) and will provide a full explanation of the cleaning process, which includes floor cover protection, sealing of vents and returns, and the use of powerful HEPA vacuums to remove all of the debris from your air ducts. In addition, if mold growth is present, they will remove and remediate the infestation.

During a final walkthrough, your AdvantaClean technician will ensure you are satisfied with the work performed.

You can request a quote or schedule your air duct cleaning service online or by reaching out to your local AdvantaClean location.

Best for Commercial : Duct & Vent Cleaning of America

Duct & Vent Cleaning of America, Inc.

Duct & Vent Cleaning of America, Inc.
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Why We Chose it: Duct & Vent Cleaning of America offers custom commercial air duct cleaning services to businesses.

What We Like

  • NADCA member since 1990

  • Experts in businesses and government facilities

  • Offers free estimates

  • Online booking available

What We Don’t Like

  • Only serves markets on the east coast

Ron Eckman established Duct & Vent Cleaning of America in 1989. A year later, the company became an active member of NADCA. The business grew and expanded throughout the east coast, from Virginia to Maine, and now serves both homeowners and commercial properties.

As a NADCA member, Duct & Vent Cleaning of America provides detailed air duct cleaning services for any type of commercial property or institution, including government and healthcare facilities. In fact, the company performed an air duct system cleaning of the USNS Comfort, a U.S. Navy hospital ship that sailed to New York City in 2020. All air duct cleaning services are supervised by an Air Systems Cleaning Specialist (ASCS), as is mandated by NADCA protocols. Your designated account manager will create a custom air duct cleaning plan that best fits your place.

Although Duct & Vent Cleaning of America mainly provides services on the east coast, it does work on large national projects outside of its normal coverage area. You can request a quote online or contact the nearest office to discuss your air duct cleaning needs.

Best for Deep Cleaning : Stanley Steemer

Stanley Steemer

Stanley Steemer
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Why We Chose it: Stanley Steemer offers a thorough air duct cleaning using a compressed air flush and HEPA equipment.

What We Like

  • Serves homeowners and businesses

  • Uses HEPA-filtered vacuums

  • NADCA-certified staff

  • 24/7 customer support

What We Don’t Like

  • Services vary by location

Stanley Steemer is a family-owned company with a history dating back to 1947 when Jack Bates founded a one-man carpet cleaning company in Columbus, Ohio. As of October, 2021, the company has nearly 300 locations across 49 states.

Stanley Steemer’s team of air duct cleaning professionals follows all of the processes established by NADCA to ensure the safe removal of all debris inside your duct system. The company's technicians will first perform a visual inspection to make sure your air ducts do in fact need to be cleaned. If a cleaning is due, they use a powerful blower, HEPA vacuums, and tools to soften and remove the debris attached to the ducts to then be vacuumed out directly and transported to the company's truck’s pump. In addition, your system's vent covers, blower, and furnace will be cleaned as well.

Stanley Steemer says it will generally cost $500 or more for an air duct cleaning. You can request an estimate and schedule your cleaning appointment directly on the company’s website or by contacting the company's 24/7 call center.

Final Verdict

Final Verdict

All of the air duct cleaning services providers included in our list are members of NADCA and adhere to its guidelines and offer full air duct system cleanings. However, their services vary by city. Because DUCTZ and Duct & Vent Cleaning of America specialize in providing air duct services as their main focus, compared to the other two companies included in this list, these should be considered your first option. If they are not available in your area, Stanley Steemer has locations in almost every state.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What Is an Air Duct Cleaning?

    An air duct cleaning consists of the removal of any debris, dust, and even mold built up over time in your HVAC system. The cleaning process consists of the use of powerful commercial equipment like HEPA portable vacuums or trucks with built-in vacuums and tools to clean, soften, and extract all of the waste, without releasing it back to the house. After the cleanup is done, your technician will conduct a final inspection and take away all of cleaning debris. Once the cleanup is complete, clean and replace your furnace filters and other filters in the home—or talk to your technician about doing so—to further preserve air quality.

  • What Do Air Duct Cleaning Services Charge?

    An air duct cleaning service usually costs several hundred dollars for a total clean up. The exact price will vary based on the type of property you own and the size of the air duct system. For instance, Stanley Steemer estimates that its air duct cleaning service will cost around $500 or higher. You can get a personalized quote from all of the companies on our list to find out the exact amount of your cleaning service.

  • When Is It Time to Clean My Air Duct System?

    The EPA recommends that your air duct system should only be cleaned when really needed or if there is a confirmed presence of mold. According to the NADCA, some reasons you may need an air duct cleaning include if your place has recently had a major construction project, your house gets dusty faster, or your utility bill is increasing.

Methodology

We researched over 25 companies offering air duct cleaning services and narrowed down our list based on the companies' NADCA memberships status, services offered, number of locations served, and licenses and insurance. We also took into consideration the safety requirements put in place during the cleaning service, such as the use of HEPA equipment.

For example, we picked DUCTZ as our best overall for being an active member of NADCA, providing services for both residential and commercial properties, and having locations in more than 20 states. And we chose Stanley Steemer as the best for deep cleaning for offering a personalized complete cleaning of your HVAC system, having locations in 49 states, and serving homeowners and businesses.

Photo comp of air duck cleaner

The Spruce / Design by Amelia Manley

Article Sources

  1. Should You Have the Air Ducts in Your Home Cleaned?Environmental Protection Agency.

  2. ACR, The NADCA Standard: 2021 Edition for the Assessment, Cleaning, and Restoration of HVAC Systems. NADCA, 2021.

    National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA)

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