Frequently Asked Questions

The general recommendation is every 3 to 5 years for most homes. However, you should clean your ducts more frequently (every 2 to 3 years) if you have:

• Pets that shed hair or dander
• Family members with allergies or asthma
• Smokers in the household
• Recent home renovations or construction

If you notice dust buildup around your vents, musty odors when the HVAC runs, or increased allergy symptoms, it's time to schedule a cleaning.

Residential air duct cleaning starts at $399 for a standard home. The exact price depends on the size of your home, the number of vents, and the accessibility of your duct system.

We provide upfront pricing with no hidden fees. What we quote is what you pay — no surprises at the end of the job. Call (408) 655-0609 for a free estimate tailored to your home.

Yes. Cal Duct Cleaning is fully licensed, insured, and bonded in the state of California. Our technicians are trained to NADCA (National Air Duct Cleaners Association) standards, and our chimney sweeps are CSIA (Chimney Safety Institute of America) certified.

We also comply with NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) guidelines and are members of the National Chimney Sweep Guild. We carry general liability insurance for your protection on every job.

A standard residential air duct cleaning typically takes 2 to 4 hours, depending on the size of your home and the number of vents. Larger homes, multi-story properties, or heavily contaminated systems may take longer.

We'll give you a time estimate when you book so you can plan your day accordingly. Our technicians work efficiently without cutting corners.

They're two completely different systems that serve different purposes:

Air ducts are part of your HVAC (heating, ventilation, air conditioning) system. They circulate heated or cooled air throughout your home. Cleaning them improves indoor air quality and HVAC efficiency.

Dryer vents carry hot, moist air and lint from your clothes dryer to the outside of your home. Cleaning them prevents dryer fires and improves dryer performance.

Both need regular cleaning, but for different reasons. We recommend air duct cleaning every 3-5 years and dryer vent cleaning every year.

Yes. The NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) recommends annual dryer vent cleaning. Lint buildup is the #1 cause of dryer fires in the United States — over 15,000 dryer fires per year according to the U.S. Fire Administration.

Annual cleaning keeps your dryer running efficiently, reduces drying times, lowers your energy bill, and most importantly, dramatically reduces fire risk. If you have a large household that runs the dryer frequently, consider cleaning every 6 months.

Yes. We serve a wide range of commercial properties throughout the Bay Area, including:

• HOAs and apartment complexes
• Commercial laundry facilities
• Office buildings
• Restaurants and commercial kitchens
• Retail spaces

With 7 fully equipped service vans, we can handle large-scale commercial projects. Contact our commercial team at commercial.sales@calductcleaning.com for a customized quote.

We serve the entire San Francisco Bay Area, from Santa Cruz to San Rafael. Our top service cities include:

San Jose, Campbell, Sunnyvale, Cupertino, Mountain View, Palo Alto, Los Altos, Menlo Park, Redwood City, Santa Clara, Los Gatos, Saratoga, Milpitas, Fremont, San Mateo, San Francisco, Daly City, and over 20 additional cities.

If you're in the Bay Area, chances are we cover your city. Call (408) 655-0609 to confirm.

The Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) recommends an annual chimney inspection and cleaning, regardless of how often you use your fireplace. Warning signs that your chimney needs immediate attention include:

• A strong, unpleasant odor coming from the fireplace
• Black soot or creosote buildup visible on the damper or flue
• Smoke entering the room when using the fireplace
• It's been more than 12 months since your last cleaning
• You're buying or selling a home with a fireplace

Creosote buildup is highly flammable and is the leading cause of chimney fires. Don't skip your annual inspection.

Yes. With 7 fully equipped service vans and a full team of trained technicians, we can schedule residential and commercial jobs on the same day. Our fleet allows us to serve multiple locations across the Bay Area simultaneously.

This is especially useful for property managers who oversee both residential homes and commercial buildings. We'll coordinate the schedule so everything runs smoothly.

We use commercial-grade equipment on every job:

• HEPA-filtered vacuum systems that capture 99.97% of particles down to 0.3 microns
• Rotary brush agitation tools that scrub the inside walls of your ducts
• Video inspection cameras to see inside your ducts before and after cleaning
• Compressed air tools for hard-to-reach areas

Our equipment ensures contaminants are removed from your system — not just stirred up and redistributed through your home.

Yes. On every job, our technicians take before-and-after photos or video so you can see the difference. We use inspection cameras inside your ducts and vents to show you exactly what we found and what we cleaned.

Full transparency is one of our core values. We want you to see the results with your own eyes.

Our standard residential air duct cleaning includes:

• Cleaning all supply vents (the vents that blow air into each room)
• Cleaning all return vents (the vents that pull air back to the HVAC unit)
• Cleaning the main trunk line
• HEPA-filtered vacuuming of the entire system
• Rotary brush agitation of duct walls
• Video inspection (before and after)

We also inspect the accessible components of your HVAC system and will let you know if we spot any issues that need attention.

Many of our customers report noticeable improvement in allergy symptoms after duct cleaning. Removing accumulated dust, pet dander, mold spores, pollen, and other allergens from your duct system means less of those particles circulating through your home every time the HVAC runs.

While we can't make medical claims, the EPA and NADCA both acknowledge that clean ducts contribute to better indoor air quality. If you or your family members suffer from allergies, asthma, or respiratory issues, duct cleaning is worth considering.

Yes, we ask that an adult (18+) be present during the service. Our technicians need access to all rooms with vents, your HVAC unit, and may need to ask questions about your system.

Most homeowners go about their normal routine at home while we work. The process isn't disruptive — we protect your floors and furniture and clean up after ourselves.

You have three easy options:

• Book online through our HouseCall Pro scheduling page for instant confirmation
• Call us at (408) 655-0609 during business hours (Mon–Sat, 8am–6pm)
• Fill out our contact form and we'll get back to you within a few hours

We typically offer same-week availability. For commercial projects, we recommend booking at least one week in advance.

Yes. Call (408) 655-0609 and we'll provide a free estimate based on your property size, number of vents, and services needed. For residential jobs, we can usually quote over the phone.

For commercial properties or larger projects, we can schedule a free on-site assessment so we can give you the most accurate quote possible.

We accept:

• Cash
• Personal and business checks
• All major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover)

Payment is collected after the job is complete and you're satisfied with the work. No upfront payment required for standard residential services.