Air duct cleaning in Geneva, IL
We do this work, and we turn it down regularly. Here is when it is genuinely worth doing and when it is not.
- Insured & Bonded
- 19 years in the trade
- Three brothers, one crew
- Open 7 days, 7am–8pm
Air duct cleaning is worth doing when there is a specific reason, not as routine maintenance. The US Environmental Protection Agency does not recommend routine duct cleaning and states it has not been shown to prevent health problems, but it does identify situations where cleaning is warranted: visible mould growth inside ducts, vermin infestation, or ducts clogged enough that debris is being discharged into rooms. Post-renovation drywall dust is the clearest legitimate case.
Smoke coming into the room, flames or roaring in the flue, or a carbon monoxide alarm sounding? Get everyone out and call the fire service first, then call us. We put these calls to the front of the queue.
What the EPA actually says
The US Environmental Protection Agency does not recommend routine duct cleaning as general maintenance, and states that duct cleaning has never been shown to actually prevent health problems. That is the honest headline, and any company telling you otherwise is selling rather than advising.
What the EPA does identify are specific situations where cleaning is warranted. Those situations are real, and when they apply the job is genuinely worth doing.
We are a chimney company that also cleans ducts. We have no incentive to talk you into this, and we would rather tell you your ducts are fine and sweep your chimney instead.
The four cases where it is warranted
Visible mould growth on the inside of ducts or on HVAC components. Worth identifying properly first, because porous insulation with mould in it needs replacing rather than cleaning, and the moisture source has to be fixed or it returns.
Vermin infestation. Evidence of rodents or insects living in the ductwork — droppings and nesting material in supply ducts are a straightforward reason to clean.
Ducts clogged with debris to the point that particles are visibly discharged from the registers into rooms.
After renovation work. This is the clearest case of all. Drywall sanding dust is fine, abundant, and gets everywhere, and it will keep coming out of your registers for a very long time if the system is not cleaned.
What it will not do
It will not cure allergies. It will not fix a house that is dusty for other reasons. And it will not solve weak airflow that is actually caused by a clogged filter, a closed damper, leaking duct joints or an undersized return — all of which are cheaper to fix and far more common.
If your complaint is dust or airflow rather than one of the four cases above, start with the filter and the duct joints. We will say so.
Sales tactics worth walking away from
The pattern is familiar: a very low advertised whole-house price, then a much larger bill once someone is inside, frequently justified by “mould” that turns out to be ordinary dust. Ask exactly what is included, whether the return plenum is part of it, and get the number before anyone starts.
Be equally wary of chemical treatments. We do not apply biocides or sealants inside residential ductwork, because the EPA considers their value unproven and putting an unproven chemical treatment into the air you breathe is not a trade we are willing to make.
Our starting price is published on the pricing page, and it does not change once we are through the door.
Just had building work done?
That is the clearest reason to clean a system. Otherwise, ask us first.
Air duct questions
Does every house need its ducts cleaned?
No. The EPA does not recommend routine cleaning. It recommends it for specific reasons: visible mould, vermin, heavy debris being discharged, or post-renovation contamination.
Will it help my allergies?
It has not been shown to prevent health problems and we will not claim it does. A better filter, sealing duct leaks and controlling humidity usually do more.
Do you use chemicals or sealants in ducts?
No. The EPA considers their value in residential systems unproven, and we are not prepared to put an unproven chemical into the air you breathe.
How long does a proper job take?
Several hours for a typical single-family home, depending on register count and system size. We would rather do the returns properly than be in and out in an hour.
How do I know if I actually have mould?
Visible growth on duct interiors or HVAC components, usually with a persistent musty smell when the system runs. Plenty of dark deposits in ductwork are just dust.
Why are some quotes so cheap?
Because they are an opening price rather than a real one. Ask what is included, whether the return plenum is covered, and get the full number before work starts.
Is this the same as dryer vent cleaning?
No, they are separate systems and separate jobs. See dryer vent cleaning.
How is air duct cleaning priced?
It has a published starting price and it does not change once we are through the door. See the pricing page.
Other things we do
All eight services come from the same three people.
Chimney sweeping · Chimney inspection · Chimney repair · Chimney relining · Chimney caps & crowns
Written by Rick Lee, owner of Zenith Chimney Service, Geneva IL. Published September 4, 2026.