Typical Air Duct Cleaning Costs in Denver (2025)
Based on 10+ years serving Denver homeowners, air duct cleaning typically costs $300-$600 for residential properties. This price range reflects the most common home sizes and HVAC configurations in the Denver metro area.
Price Range by Home Size
- $300-$400: Small homes (under 1,500 sq ft), 1-2 bedrooms, 6-10 vents, simple duct layout
- $400-$500: Medium homes (1,500-2,500 sq ft), 3 bedrooms, 10-15 vents, standard configuration
- $500-$600: Large homes (2,500-3,500 sq ft), 4+ bedrooms, 15-20 vents, multi-level systems
- $600-$800+: Very large homes (3,500+ sq ft), complex multi-zone systems, extensive ductwork
What Factors Affect Air Duct Cleaning Cost?
1. Home Size and Number of Vents
The primary cost driver is your home's square footage and the number of supply and return vents. Larger homes have more extensive ductwork requiring additional time and effort to clean thoroughly. Denver's newer developments like Stapleton, Southlands, and Seven Hills typically feature larger homes (2,500-4,000 sq ft) placing them in the higher price ranges.
2. System Accessibility
Ductwork accessibility significantly impacts cost. Homes with easily accessible ducts in basements or crawl spaces are faster to clean than homes with ducts in tight attics or between floors. Denver's mix of basement homes (common in older neighborhoods) and slab foundations (newer construction) creates varying accessibility scenarios affecting pricing.
3. Level of Contamination
Heavily contaminated systems requiring extra time for thorough cleaning may cost more. Factors increasing contamination include: never having been cleaned, visible mold growth, heavy pet dander buildup, post-renovation construction dust, or pest infestations. First-time cleaning typically takes longer than maintenance cleaning.
4. Additional Services
Optional add-ons that increase total cost:
- Sanitization/Antimicrobial Treatment: $150-$350 - EPA-approved antimicrobial fogging after cleaning
- Dryer Vent Cleaning: $150-$250 - Often bundled with duct cleaning at discount
- Coil Cleaning: $100-$200 - Evaporator coil cleaning for improved efficiency
- Camera Inspection: $50-$150 - Video documentation of duct condition
5. Company Qualifications
NADCA-certified companies with professional equipment, insurance, and trained technicians typically charge more than unlicensed competitors—but provide substantially better results and protection. Extremely low prices ($99-$150 "whole house" deals) are often scams involving high-pressure upselling or inadequate service.
What's Included in Professional Air Duct Cleaning?
Reputable Denver companies should include:
- Complete system inspection and assessment
- Cleaning of all supply and return ducts
- Main trunk line cleaning
- Register and grill removal and cleaning
- Blower compartment and furnace cabinet cleaning
- HEPA-filtered vacuum systems (preventing recontamination)
- Mechanical agitation (rotating brushes, air whips)
- System reassembly and testing
- New furnace filter installation
How to Get Accurate Quotes
Follow these steps for reliable pricing:
- Provide Detailed Information: Share your home's square footage, number of levels, approximate number of vents, and any special concerns (pets, mold, renovation).
- Request Itemized Quotes: Ask for breakdown of base service vs. optional add-ons. Avoid companies that won't provide written estimates.
- Verify What's Included: Confirm the quote covers complete system cleaning, not just main lines or a few vents.
- Ask About Hidden Fees: Some companies charge extra for "unexpected" conditions discovered during service. Reputable companies provide upfront pricing.
- Check Credentials: Verify NADCA membership, insurance coverage, and technician training before hiring.
Red Flags: Pricing Scams to Avoid
⚠️ Warning Signs of Duct Cleaning Scams
- "$99 Whole House Special": Unrealistically low prices lead to high-pressure upselling once technicians arrive
- Door-to-Door Solicitation: Legitimate companies don't go door-to-door offering immediate service
- Scare Tactics: Claims your ducts are "dangerously contaminated" without proper inspection
- No Written Estimate: Refusal to provide written quotes before starting work
- Unlicensed/Uninsured: Cannot provide proof of insurance or business licensing
- Pressure for Immediate Payment: Demands full payment before completing work
When is Air Duct Cleaning Worth the Cost?
The EPA recommends duct cleaning only when necessary, not on a fixed schedule. Cleaning is worthwhile when you have:
- Visible mold growth inside ducts or on HVAC components
- Vermin (rodents, insects) infestation in ductwork
- Excessive dust and debris clogging ducts or releasing from vents
- Recent home renovation creating construction dust in system
- Never cleaned in 5+ years with visible contamination
- Family members with unexplained allergies or respiratory issues
Cost vs. Value: Is Air Duct Cleaning Worth It?
When properly needed and professionally performed, air duct cleaning provides:
- Improved Air Quality: Removes 92-97% of duct contaminants
- Energy Savings: Clean systems operate more efficiently, reducing energy consumption
- Extended HVAC Lifespan: Less system strain from airflow restriction
- Odor Elimination: Removes musty smells at their source
- Health Benefits: Reduces allergens and respiratory irritants
At $300-$600 every 3-5 years, professional duct cleaning is a modest investment in home health and HVAC efficiency.
Get Transparent Pricing for Your Denver Home
Air Duct Pros Denver provides free, detailed quotes with no hidden fees. Our NADCA-trained technicians assess your specific system and provide accurate pricing before starting work.
Get Free Quote Call (720) 397-7267