How Much Does Duct Booster Fan Installation Cost? [2025 Data]

Duct Booster Fan Installation Cost Factors

The following key cost factors have the biggest impact on the price of duct booster fan installation.

Types

There are two distinct types of duct booster fans: inline and register fans. Inline fans are installed inside the ductwork and boost the flow of air throughout the system. Register fans are built into the register and mounted into a floor or wall vent to push air into a single room. Cost ranges for both types are listed in the table below.

Size

Duct booster fans come in various sizes to accommodate different duct measurements and power needs. The most common sizes are four-inch, six-inch, and eight-inch fans, and the price tends to go up as the fan size increases.

Labor

Duct booster fans can be purchased online or at a home improvement center and installed as a DIY. However, this can often result in improper installation and cause additional problems, so we recommend professional labor when installing a vent fan. HVAC technicians cost anywhere from $100 to $250 per hour, and a full assessment and installation can take two or more hours.

If the duct needs to be cut open and resealed, it increases the time and labor required. The same goes for fans that must be wired into your furnace rather than plugged into an outlet.

Location

Duct booster fans are installed in areas with poor airflow, which can include long or complex runs of ducting as well as rooms that don’t get enough airflow to heat or cool fully. A local HVAC pro can assess your system and help ensure the proper placement of a booster fan if needed.

Expect higher installation costs for inline duct booster fans that require you to access ducts in walls, floors, or ceilings. Register duct booster fans are far easier to place.

Permits

In some municipalities, you may need to pull a permit to install an air duct booster fan. Permit fees for ductwork start at $50 and may be higher depending on your local building codes.

DIY Duct Booster Fan Installation vs. Hiring a Pro

DIY duct booster fan installation can be relatively simple, with material costs as little as $70. However, connecting the fan may involve electrical work, which can be dangerous if you don’t have the proper training and experience.

The advantage of hiring a local duct installation pro is that they can assess your system for other problems before moving forward with fan installation. They may reveal issues such as:

• Leaking ducts

• Peeling duct tape

• Dirty filters

• Poorly sized ductwork

• Lack of insulation

• Improper system configurations

• An HVAC system that is too large or too small for your home

If none of these problems exist, they will install your duct booster fan for an average of $250. Otherwise, they may suggest repairs, modifications, or ductwork sealing to improve your system’s performance and provide long-term energy and maintenance savings.

Cost of Common Duct Booster Fan Installation Add-Ons

When installing a duct booster fan, your HVAC technician may suggest other services to help improve your system’s overall efficiency:

• HVAC maintenance cost: $175–$350

• Air duct sealing cost: $500–$4,000

How Angi Gets Its Cost Data

Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We extensively research project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We rely on reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects. 

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