Air Duct Cleaning in Boston - One Flat Price, Before-and-After Photos

Air Duct Cleaning in Boston, MA

Dryer vent cleaning in Boston runs $149-$289 for most single-family homes and the work typically takes 60-90 minutes. But Boston’s housing stock changes the job: roughly 70% of the city’s residential buildings went up before 1940, and in retrofitted triple-deckers and rowhouses the dryer vent rarely takes the straight path a modern installation would. We find vents routed through stairwell chases, floor cavities, and shared walls where lint packs into elbows and reducers far faster than in newer construction. Call (806) 606-6902 and we’ll give you a written price before anything comes off the wall.

Call (806) 606-6902

Why Boston Homes Are Different

Boston’s dominant residential types are triple-deckers across Dorchester, Roxbury, and Jamaica Plain, and brick rowhouses in the South End and Back Bay, most built between roughly 1870 and 1940 with steam or hot-water radiator heat. That means forced-air ductwork was retrofitted later, often threaded through stairwell chases, closets, and floor cavities never designed for it. These improvised, non-standard runs accumulate debris faster and are harder to access than anything in purpose-built forced-air housing.

The coastal position on Massachusetts Bay adds a second factor: persistent Atlantic humidity through spring and fall, combined with heating seasons that stretch from October into late April, creates repeated condensation cycles inside ductwork. Basement air handlers in triple-deckers are especially vulnerable. And in Dorchester and Roxbury, technicians routinely find flex duct routed through vertical chases shared with plumbing stacks and electrical, where grease vapor from kitchen exhausts and rodent activity in older building cavities produce contamination loads unlike a suburban tract home.

For Boston homeowners, this changes what duct work actually requires: longer camera runs to see around non-standard elbows, access panels cut in places a suburban plan never anticipates, and sealing materials selected for uneven, century-old surfaces. A crew that has only worked new construction will misread what it finds here.

Our Main Boston Services

Most Boston homeowners call us for one of two jobs: a full cleaning of the ductwork itself, or a deeper HVAC cleaning that addresses the air handler, coil, and blower assembly. Here is what each involves in this city.

Air Duct Cleaning in Boston

Full duct cleaning in Boston homes means a negative-pressure extraction system attached at the plenum, with every register and return opened and cleaned, not just vacuumed at the surface. In retrofit triple-deckers, our crews run camera lines through chases and floor cavities to document what is actually inside, then deliver a before-and-after photo record of every duct run as a standard part of the job. Air Duct Cleaning in Boston is priced by the system, not by the vent.

HVAC Cleaning in Boston

HVAC cleaning goes beyond the ducts to the equipment that moves air: the evaporator coil, blower wheel, drain pan, and the inside of the air handler cabinet. In Boston’s basement air handlers, the coil often carries a coating of dust and biological growth from repeated condensation cycles. We clean and sanitize those surfaces with equipment from Abatement Technologies and verify the result with a camera before we reassemble. HVAC Cleaning in Boston includes the same written, upfront pricing as every CleanRun job.

Before

After

Dryer Vent Cleaning in Boston

Dryer vent cleaning in Boston typically costs $149-$289 and takes under two hours for most homes. The job matters more here than most places: vents that wind through the vertical chases of triple-deckers and rowhouses accumulate lint at elbows where airflow drops, and the city’s long heating season means dryers run more loads per week than they do in warmer climates. A blocked vent is a fire hazard and a clothes-dryer that works twice as hard as it should. Dryer Vent Cleaning is the single most common service Boston homeowners call us for.

Dryer Vent Inspection

Signs you need it

Clothes take two or more cycles to dry, the dryer is hot to the touch, or you smell a musty, burnt-lint odor when it runs.

What it costs in Boston

Dryer vent inspection in Boston runs $89-$149, and we waive it when you book a cleaning on the same visit.

How we do it

We run a camera from the dryer connection through the full vent run to the exterior termination, photograph each elbow and reduction point, and show you what it found before we quote any work.

Vent Cleaning

Signs you need it

The exterior vent hood doesn’t open when the dryer runs, or lint has built up visible at the termination point.

What it costs in Boston

Vent cleaning in Boston runs $149-$289 depending on run length, the number of elbows, and access height.

How we do it

We run rotating brushes and a negative-pressure extraction system through the full vent path, then photograph the before-and-after from both ends so you can see the difference.

Lint Removal

Signs you need it

You find lint accumulating behind the dryer or against the wall, meaning the vent is not carrying it out of the building.

What it costs in Boston

Lint removal as a standalone job runs $129-$229, and it is often paired with vent cleaning when the run is short and straight.

How we do it

We clear the vent path with high-pressure air and brush tools, then run the camera again to confirm the full cross-section is open, not just a center hole.

Vent Rerouting

Signs you need it

Your vent runs through a chase shared with plumbing or electrical, or it terminates inside a soffit, basement ceiling, or other improper location.

What it costs in Boston

Vent rerouting in Boston runs $350-$650, depending on the new path, wall penetations, and the materials needed for a code-compliant run.

How we do it

We map a new route that avoids chases and concealed spaces, install rigid metal duct to meet current code, and document the full run with photos before closing any access.

Bird Guard Installation

Signs you need it

Birds, squirrels, or other pests are nesting in or around the exterior vent hood, or you hear scratching from the vent area.

What it costs in Boston

Bird guard installation in Boston runs $75-$180 depending on hood type and whether the existing hood also needs replacement.

How we do it

We install a metal guard over the exterior termination that keeps animals out while maintaining full airflow, then verify the flapper still opens and closes freely.

What Dryer Vent Cleaning Costs in Boston

Haven Standard Clause 1 applies to every one of these figures: the written price you receive before work starts is the price you pay. No per-vent charges, no “discovery” add-ons after the crew arrives.

How often should a dryer vent be cleaned in Boston?

Every 12-24 months for most Boston homes, and every 12 months for triple-deckers with long, multi-elbow vent runs or shared chases. Condensation from the coastal climate makes lint stick to duct walls and build faster. Call (806) 606-6902 to schedule.

Why does my dryer vent clog faster in Boston than it did in my old house?

Retrofit vent runs through stairwell chases and floor cavities have more elbows and reducers than new construction, and each one catches lint. Atlantic humidity binds the lint into layers that resist normal airflow. A camera inspection will show exactly where the buildup is.

Duct Repair & Sealing in Boston

Duct repair and sealing in Boston runs $175-$1,500 depending on scope, and the city’s housing stock drives most of what we see. Ductwork in triple-deckers and rowhouses was retrofitted through spaces never built for it, so seams flex, connections separate, and aged fiberglass liner deteriorates and sheds particulate into the air. A sealed system is the difference between paying to heat the rooms and paying to heat the wall cavities. Duct Repair & Sealing is work we do with mastic, metal, and tape rated for the application, never a quick wrap-and-go.

Duct Sealing

Signs you need it

Rooms at the end of the run are consistently colder or warmer than the rest of the unit, or your heating bill climbs while the thermostat stays the same.

What it costs in Boston

Duct sealing in Boston runs $600-$1,000 for a typical single-system home when we can access the seams from the basement or attic side.

How we do it

We locate every accessible seam and joint with a pressure test or camera, apply mastic sealant or UL-rated tape, and document each sealed point with a photo record.

Flex Duct Repair

Signs you need it

Flexible duct has been crushed, kinked, or chewed through in a chase, closet, or between-floor cavity where it was pulled too tight.

What it costs in Boston

Flex duct repair in Boston runs $175-$450 per damaged section, including replacement material and reconnection to the collar.

How we do it

We cut out the damaged section, replace it with properly sized flex duct, reconnect both ends with code-compliant collars and clamps, and photograph the finished connection.

Metal Duct Repair

Signs you need it

You see visible rust-through, dents restricting airflow, or disconnected sheet metal sections in a basement or exposed run.

What it costs in Boston

Metal duct repair in Boston runs $200-$500 per section, more if the damaged segment feeds multiple registers or sits behind finished walls.

How we do it

We fabricate or source a replacement section in the correct gauge, remove the damaged piece, seat the new section, and seal the joints with mastic.

Duct Insulation

Signs you need it

Duct surfaces sweat in summer, or you can feel heat radiating from exposed basement ductwork in winter.

What it costs in Boston

Duct insulation in Boston runs $1,200-$2,000 for a typical exposed basement run, including materials and labor for full coverage.

How we do it

We wrap accessible ductwork with the correct R-value insulation for this climate, seal the vapor barrier, and photograph the finished wrap at each connection.

Mastic Sealant

Signs you need it

Duct tape from a previous repair is peeling or has dried out, or you see gaps at takeoffs and register boots.

What it costs in Boston

Mastic sealant application in Boston as a targeted repair runs $175-$400, depending on the number of joints and access.

How we do it

We clean each surface, brush mastic over the full seam and fastener points, and let it cure before running a pressure check or camera verification.

What Duct Repair & Sealing Costs in Boston

The written price you get before work starts covers the full scope of what we will do. If the camera finds a second issue while we are in the wall, we stop, show you the photo, and put the additional scope in writing before touching it.

How do I know if my Boston ductwork is leaking?

Dust accumulating fast after cleaning, inconsistent room temperatures, and higher utility bills are the three most common signs. We confirm with a camera inspection and pressure testing, then quote the specific seams and sections that need sealing. Call (806) 606-6902 for a written estimate.

Why do Boston retrofits need more duct sealing than newer houses?

Retrofit ductwork in pre-war buildings was pulled through chases and floor cavities under tension, and has been disturbed repeatedly by plumbing, electrical, and pest work. Each disturbance creates gaps. Sealing closes them systematically instead of chasing one leak at a time.

Air Quality & Sanitizing in Boston

Air quality and sanitizing in Boston runs $350-$900 for most homes, and the need is driven by two local factors working together. Persistent Atlantic humidity through spring and fall, plus the long heating season from October through April, creates repeated condensation inside ducts and air handlers that fuels mold and mildew, especially in basement units common to triple-deckers. When the camera shows biological growth on the coil or inside the plenum, sanitizing is not an upsell; it is the only part of the job that keeps the cleaning from being undone in six months. Air Quality & Sanitizing covers the air you actually breathe after the ducts are clean.

Mold Treatment

Signs you need it

You see visible mold on vents, registers, or inside accessible duct openings, or you smell a persistent musty odor when the system runs.

What it costs in Boston

Mold treatment in Boston runs $350-$900 for the sanitizing application after the underlying moisture source is addressed.

How we do it

We clean the affected surfaces first, then apply an EPA-registered antimicrobial treatment with Abatement Technologies equipment and document the surfaces before and after.

Bacteria Sanitizing

Signs you need it

A family member has recurring respiratory irritation or allergy symptoms that improve when they are away from home, or the coil and drain pan show biofilm buildup.

What it costs in Boston

Bacteria sanitizing in Boston runs $300-$700, typically combined with HVAC cleaning so the sanitizer reaches a clean coil, not a dirty one.

How we do it

We fog the duct system and air handler with a hospital-grade sanitizer after mechanical cleaning, using equipment from Guardsman, then provide a written record of the application.

Odor Removal

Signs you need it

Smells from cooking, pets, tobacco, or a prior tenant return within days of cleaning, meaning the odor has embedded in the liner or insulation.

What it costs in Boston

Odor removal in Boston runs $250-$500 depending on severity and whether the source is a localized section or the whole system.

How we do it

We identify the source with a camera inspection, treat the specific surfaces with an odor-neutralizing agent, and advise if liner or insulation replacement is the only permanent fix.

UV Light Installation

Signs you need it

The evaporator coil repeatedly grows mold after cleaning, especially in a damp basement air handler without good drainage.

What it costs in Boston

UV light installation in Boston runs $850-$1,400 including the lamp, mounting, and wiring to a dedicated circuit.

How we do it

We install a UV-C lamp sized for the coil or plenum, position it for maximum exposure with minimum duct material degradation, and confirm operation with a light check.

Air Purifier Install

Signs you need it

Household members have dust allergies or asthma, or the home is near a busy road, construction, or other source of fine particulate.

What it costs in Boston

Air purifier installation in Boston runs $600-$1,300 including the unit, mounting, and electrical connection.

How we do it

We install a whole-house purifier at the return or supply side, wire it to run with the blower, and verify the pressure drop stays within the system’s tolerance.

What Air Quality & Sanitizing Costs in Boston

Every sanitizing job ends with a documented photo record of the treated surfaces, not just a work order that says “sanitized.” That is the CleanRun standard, and it applies to every Boston job.

Does sanitizing actually fix mold in Boston basements, or just hide it?

Sanitizing kills what is on the surfaces we treat, but if the moisture source remains, the mold returns. In Boston, that moisture source is usually condensation from the coastal climate meeting a cold basement air handler. We explain what the camera shows and what will actually hold up. Call (806) 606-6902.

Is UV light installation worth it in a Boston triple-decker?

For homes with a basement air handler that repeatedly grows mold on the coil, a correctly sized UV-C lamp is often the most effective prevention. Position and lamp output matter more than the brand; we size the lamp to the coil and plenum, not a generic kit.

Brands We Service in Boston

CleanRun crews arrive with equipment from Rotobrush, Nikro, Abatement Technologies, and Guardsman, and we stock common replacement parts for these systems locally so most repairs do not wait on a shipment. Our brands page lists the full roster and what each tool is used for.

Pricing for Air Duct Cleaning in Boston, MA

Neighborhoods We Serve in Boston

CleanRun serves the full city of Boston, with crews dispatched from our Boston office. We work in the neighborhoods where the ductwork is oldest and the access is hardest, because that is where this city’s housing stock lives.

• Dorchester
• Roxbury
• Jamaica Plain
• South End
• Back Bay

We schedule ahead, and most Boston appointments are booked within the same week. There is no rush fee for any neighborhood in the city limits.

Service Area - Cities Near Boston

Our Boston crews also work across the surrounding cities. We serve Somerville, MA and Cambridge, MA for the same retrofit housing stock we see in Boston, plus Chelsea, MA and Everett, MA for multi-family buildings with dense, older ductwork. Scheduling runs through the same Boston office and the same written pricing standard.

FAQs About Air Duct Cleaning in Boston