How Much Does an Air Duct Inspection Cost? [2024 Data]
Normal range: $140 - $380
An air duct inspection costs $230 on average. Most homeowners pay between $140 and $380 depending on the amount of ductwork.
Your home's air ducts may be out of sight—but they shouldn't be out of mind. Your ductwork carries your household's air, so you want to ensure they're in excellent shape by routinely inspecting them.
An air duct inspection costs $230 on average, though it can range between $140 and $380 depending on the type of test a pro runs and the amount of ductwork you have. Before you book a pro to examine your ductwork, here's what to know.
- Average
- $230
- Low end
- $80
- high end
- $700
Air Duct Inspection Cost Factors
The two largest determinants of cost for an air duct inspection are the type of test performed and the amount of time it takes to perform it. While you may think there's just a simple leak, a professional may diagnose a more complicated issue that requires additional testing.
Types
A basic visual air duct test can cost less than $100. A more reputable test, which includes smoke testing for leaks and sampling for biological growth, can cost up to $500.
| Test Type | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Basic Visual Inspection | $80–$150 |
| Basic Visual and Smoke/Leak Testing | $110–$180 |
| Visual, Smoke/Leak, and Video Analysis | $140–$230 |
| Visual, Smoke/Leak, Video, and Biological | $200–$500 |
The cost to test air ducts for leaks will vary among professionals. A basic smoke pencil is often used, but tests can quickly become more complicated and involve calibrated fans and air pressure monitors.
Which test you use should be at the discretion of the HVAC professional. If they believe it’s worth it to check for mold growth inside the air ducts, you should trust their expertise. The last thing you want is to pair for an inspection, cut cost corners, and continue living in contaminated air or fail to fix a preventable issue and have to shoulder any air duct replacement costs.
Size
The cost of an air duct inspection increases the larger your home and the more complicated your ductwork. The larger the house, the more ductwork and the more time spent finding leaks or biological growth.
| House Size in Square Feet | Average Cost of Inspection |
|---|---|
| 600 | $140–$220 |
| 1,200 | $190–$270 |
| 1,800 | $260–$330 |
| 2,300 | $320–$500 |
| 3,000 | $500+ |
Labor
An HVAC pro will charge about $80 per hour plus any transportation costs. Your labor fees will go up if you have a particularly large house or unusual ductwork layout, as it will take the pro longer to examine it.
Location
The location of the ducts in the house will impact the cost. For example, navigating air ducts hidden through floors and walls in a ranch home with only one story would require much less work than navigating air ducts hidden in a two- or three-story house.
Expect to pay 40% more of the cost for each additional story in your home. Additionally, older homes may require special equipment to safely access the ductwork.
How Often Should You Inspect Air Ducts?
You should inspect air ducts once every two years and clean them every three to five years. However, a house in a dusty area with plenty of HVAC usage will need cleaning and inspection far more than a house that barely uses its system and has no mold risk.
DIY Inspecting Air Ducts vs. Hiring a Pro
An average homeowner can visually inspect the easily accessible or exposed areas of ductwork, checking for damage or leaks. However, a thorough air duct inspection should be left to a professional.
If you were shown an MRI, chances are you’ll miss something because your eye isn’t trained to recognize what might become a serious issue. The same idea applies to air duct inspection—not all problems are ones you can see. Call a local ductwork professional to make sure your ducts stay in perfect shape.
Ways You Can Save Money Inspecting Air Ducts
You can save money on air duct inspection by scheduling your inspection outside of any powerful weather events, especially heat waves or cold snaps. This is because the same professionals may be scrambling to fix broken heating or air conditioning systems. Even if you’re able to get an appointment, you’ll pay a premium.
Frequently Asked Questions
Air ducts should be replaced every 10 to 15 years. While ductwork can last much longer with excellent care, air ducts spring leaks, degrade over time, or become damaged. Any pest infestation will require a thorough duct cleaning and sometimes a full replacement.
Higher energy bills, excessive dust, and uneven temperature are all signs of bad ductwork or air leaks. If you have air quality sensors, you will see a drop in your home’s air quality if your ducts are leaking. If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s time to schedule an inspection.
Air duct cleaning is always worth the money. Not only will it increase the air quality in your home but it can actually be a net positive over the long term if your vents are so dirty or damaged that they leak air. Cleaning or fixing them ensures the air you are paying to cool and heat actually reaches the livable space of your home instead of dissipating through the walls.
It isn’t a good idea to never clean your ducts. Most appliances have filters for a reason—to clean the air—and over time, they lose their effectiveness. They may eventually become so clogged that your HVAC system will stop functioning correctly or shut down altogether. Cleaning your air ducts is also a requirement if you want clean air in your house. Thorough cleaning checks are recommended to make sure the air is safe from any toxic or harmful contaminants.