Does Air Duct Cleaning Save Energy? What You Need to Know

Your energy bill makes up a significant percentage of your household expenses—and if you have dirty air ducts, you could be using more energy than you need to keep your home comfortable. So, does air duct cleaning save energy? This guide explains how this service can save you energy, keeping more of your hard-earned dollars in your pocket.

How Does Air Duct Cleaning Save Energy?

Hiring an air duct cleaning service near you to inspect and clean your ductwork can save you energy in several ways. 

Improved Airflow

Dirty air ducts can impede airflow from the HVAC unit to the vents in each room. When the ducts are dirty, your HVAC unit must work harder to get that heated or cooled air through the duct system to its final destination. Cleaning your air ducts means the air can easily move through the system, so your home is more efficiently heated or cooled.

Reduced System Strain

Clogged ducts can be a real strain on your HVAC system. Since the furnace and AC unit need to work harder to push air through dirty vents, they will use more energy to do their jobs—and will often have a shorter lifespan. Clean air ducts remove that extra strain on your HVAC system, saving you energy and money.

More Consistent Indoor Temperatures

When your air duct system is clogged with dirt and debris, you may notice inconsistent temperatures in different rooms. You probably find yourself increasing the thermostat temperature often, which means the system will use more energy to heat or cool your home. When the air ducts are clean, your home will have a more consistent indoor temperature, and you’ll use less energy to keep your home comfortable.

How Often to Clean Air Ducts

The frequency at which you should clean your air ducts depends on the level of dust and dirt in your home. Your climate, whether or not you have pets, and how frequently you clean your house all contribute to your dust levels. If you notice excessive dust in your home despite thorough cleaning or smell a musty odor from your vents, schedule a cleaning ASAP. It’s also wise to schedule a cleaning if you’ve recently completed a home renovation or resolved a pest infestation.

Otherwise, you only need your air ducts cleaned every three to five years. If someone in your home suffers from allergies or asthma or you have heavily shedding pets, you might increase the frequency of your air duct cleanings. 

How Much Does Air Duct Cleaning Cost?

Professional air duct cleaning costs $270 to $510, with homeowners paying an average of $390. Your exact cost will depend on the duct material, accessibility, condition, and size. The project price will increase if there’s evidence of mold, mildew, asbestos, or pest damage. Removing pests from ductwork costs $100 to $260, and mold and mildew removal costs $1,100 to $3,400. Professional removal costs $5 to $20 per square foot if you have asbestos in your ductwork.

How to Keep Your Air Ducts Clean

In addition to scheduling an air duct cleaning, there are several things you can do to keep your ductwork clean:

• Change your furnace filter regularly—experts suggest every three months

• Choose the highest-efficiency air filter recommended by your HVAC manufacturer

• Monitor the filter between replacements and change sooner if you notice excessive debris build-up

• Seal off supply and return registers during home renovations to keep construction debris out of the ductwork

• Dust and vacuum your home regularly and use a HEPA vacuum cleaner

• Schedule annual HVAC maintenance to keep your system working efficiently