July 9, 2026 · 6 min read
The honest average
A single-system home with 10 to 14 vents typically takes three to five hours from setup to walkthrough. Two-system homes run six to eight.
Anything advertised at 45 minutes for a whole house is a vent vacuuming, not a duct cleaning.
What makes a job longer
Vent count is only part of it. Access, duct material and the amount of accumulation all matter more than square footage.
Crawlspace and attic runs in particular add time because equipment has to be repositioned repeatedly.
- More than 16 supply and return registers
- Two or more air handlers
- Flexible duct that cannot be brushed aggressively
- Attic or crawlspace runs with tight access
- Heavy contamination requiring a second pass
What happens during each phase
Setup and system inspection takes roughly 30 minutes. Negative-air connection and duct agitation is the bulk of the job. Coil, blower and plenum cleaning is the last hour.
Registers come off, get washed, and go back on before we power the system up for a final airflow check.
Can you stay home during it?
Yes. The vacuum runs to a HEPA-filtered collection unit or outdoors, so the work stays contained. Expect equipment noise similar to a shop vacuum.
The system is offline while we work, so on a hot July day we schedule mornings when possible.
Related service
Air Duct Cleaning
Remove built-up dust, allergens, and debris from your ductwork for fresher indoor air.
See Air Duct Cleaning details