Whole-system duct and dryer vent check with before-and-after photos - you see exactly what came out of your vents
That "$99 whole-house special" is a bait ad - the real number appears once they are in your hallway, or the "clean" is a shop-vac at the register. We photograph the inside of your ducts before and after instead.
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After
Before
After
Before
AfterAir Duct Cleaning in Chicago, IL
HVAC cleaning in Chicago typically costs $350-$850 for a whole-system service, with most single-family homes falling in the $450-$650 range. Chicago’s hard-running furnaces and retrofitted bungalow ductwork compress debris accumulation timelines compared to moderate-climate cities, so systems here often need more intensive cleaning than their age alone would suggest. We’re CleanRun Duct Repair & Cleaning, and we dispatch crews from our Chicago office to jobs across the city with written prices delivered before any work starts. Call (224) 351-9772 for a free estimate.
Why Chicago Homes Are Different
Chicago’s roughly 80,000 brick bungalows dominate the Southwest and Northwest Sides, built between 1910 and 1940 with steam or gravity hot-air heat, then retrofitted with forced-air ductwork decades later. These improvised duct runs, shoved into knee walls and narrow chases, are now 50-70 years old and accumulate debris faster because furnaces run hard from October through April against punishing wind chills.
In Bridgeport, Gage Park, and Archer Heights, we regularly find “octopus furnace” remnants - old gravity warm-air plenum trunks left in place and jury-rigged into newer forced-air systems, creating oversized chambers packed with 60-plus years of compacted lint, pet dander, and construction dust. Two-flats and three-flats in Logan Square and Pilsen often contain multiple small, mismatched duct systems from mid-century conversions. Lake-effect moisture events raise winter interior humidity, creating condensation conditions that accelerate mold and dust-mite colonization inside ductwork.
Our Main Chicago Services
Chicago homeowners call us most often for these three services, each with its own dedicated Chicago page.
Air Duct Cleaning in Chicago
Whole-system negative-pressure extraction for Chicago’s aging ductwork, including the cramped retrofit runs common in bungalow-belt neighborhoods. We photograph every duct run before and after, and every job starts with a written price. Air Duct Cleaning in Chicago covers our full process for city homes.
Dryer Vent Cleaning in Chicago
Lint removal from dryer exhaust runs in Chicago’s dense housing stock, where long vent paths through multiple floors are common in two-flats and three-flats. Our crews use Nikro rotary tools and deliver a written price before starting. Dryer Vent Cleaning in Chicago details our approach.
Duct Repair & Sealing in Chicago
Sealing disconnected joints and patching damaged sections in Chicago’s 60-70-year-old sheet-metal systems, particularly in postwar ranches on the far Northwest and Southwest Sides. We document every repair with before-and-after photos. Duct Repair & Sealing in Chicago explains our methods.
What happens when you call
- 1
A real person answersNo phone trees - you reach a local pro.
- 2
You get an upfront price rangeHonest numbers before anyone is dispatched.
- 3
A background-checked tech heads outLicensed & insured, dispatched right away.
- 4
You approve before work beginsNothing starts until you say go.
BeforeAfterHVAC Cleaning in Chicago
Chicago’s dual-season extremes - furnaces running nearly six months against polar vortex cold, then central AC cycling through the same humid Lake Michigan summers - mean HVAC components accumulate debris and biofilm on compressed timelines. The evaporator coil and blower assembly in a typical Chicago home work 10-11 months per year, not the 6-7 common in milder climates. Our HVAC Cleaning service addresses this accelerated wear with component-level cleaning documented on every visit.
Evaporator Coil Cleaning
Signs you need it
Ice buildup on the coil in summer, weak airflow from registers, or musty odors when the AC first cycles on.
What it costs in Chicago
Evaporator coil cleaning in Chicago typically runs $180-$340 as a standalone service, or $120-$220 when bundled with full HVAC cleaning.
How we do it
We access the coil through the plenum - the main air distribution box - apply foaming cleaner, rinse with low-pressure water, and photograph the fin surface before and after.
Blower Cleaning
Signs you need it
Vibration or noise from the air handler, uneven heating across rooms, or dust puffing from registers when the system starts.
What it costs in Chicago
Blower assembly cleaning in Chicago typically costs $150-$280, depending on whether the motor requires removal for full access.
How we do it
We remove the blower housing, clean the wheel blades and motor housing with compressed air and solvent, balance the assembly, and reinstall with torque-verified fasteners.
What HVAC Cleaning Costs in Chicago
| Item | Typical range in Chicago |
|---|---|
| Full HVAC system cleaning (coil, blower, condenser) | $450-$850 |
| Evaporator coil cleaning (standalone) | $180-$340 |
| Blower assembly cleaning (standalone) | $150-$280 |
How often should HVAC cleaning be done in Chicago?
Every 2-3 years for typical Chicago homes, or annually if you have pets, recent renovation dust, or a bungalow with retrofitted ductwork. The near-constant system runtime here compresses the standard 3-5 year interval. Call (224) 351-9772 and we’ll assess your specific system.
Why does my Chicago home’s HVAC smell musty?
Lake-effect humidity creates condensation on the evaporator coil and in ductwork, supporting mold and bacterial growth that produces musty odors when the system cycles. Cleaning the coil, blower, and condensate pan eliminates the source, not just the smell. We document the biofilm level with photos.
Air Quality & Sanitizing in Chicago
Chicago’s lake-effect humidity spikes and 50-70-year-old ductwork create conditions for mold and bacterial colonization that newer systems in drier climates rarely face. The same condensation that accelerates debris breakdown in bungalow retrofit ducts also supports microbial growth on evaporator coils and in standing condensate. Our Air Quality & Sanitizing service targets these biological contaminants with documented application, not masking agents.
Mold Treatment
Signs you need it
Visible discoloration on registers or inside ductwork, persistent musty odor after HVAC cleaning, or aggravated allergy symptoms when the system runs.
What it costs in Chicago
Mold treatment for a typical Chicago duct system runs $280-$520, depending on contamination extent and whether the evaporator coil is affected.
How we do it
We apply EPA-registered antimicrobial through the duct runs using a fogging system, treat the coil and plenum surfaces, and provide lab-verifiable before-and-after photo documentation.
UV Light Installation
Signs you need it
Recurring mold after professional cleaning, chronic condensation in the air handler, or occupants with immunocompromised conditions requiring continuous microbial suppression.
What it costs in Chicago
UV-C light installation in a Chicago residential air handler typically costs $320-$580, including the lamp, housing, and electrical connection.
How we do it
We mount a Honeywell or Aprilaire UV lamp upstream of the coil, wire to the blower circuit for automatic operation, and show the customer the installation point with photos.
What Air Quality & Sanitizing Costs in Chicago
| Item | Typical range in Chicago |
|---|---|
| Mold treatment (whole duct system) | $280-$520 |
| Bacteria sanitizing (fogging application) | $220-$380 |
| UV-C light installation | $320-$580 |
Does UV light actually work in Chicago’s humid climate?
UV-C lamps suppress microbial growth on the coil and in the air handler, but they do not sterilize moving air; they’re most effective in Chicago when combined with source-removal cleaning to address existing buildup. We install Honeywell and Aprilaire units sized to the air handler volume.
How do I know mold treatment was actually done?
Our Documented Photo Record shows every treated duct run before and after application, with timestamped images of the fogging process and the antimicrobial label for verification. Haven Standard Clause 1 requires this documentation on every sanitizing job.
Brands We Service in Chicago
We clean and service systems with components from Rotobrush, Nikro, Honeywell, and Aprilaire, and we stock replacement filters and UV lamps for same-visit installation. Most parts arrive within 24 hours if not carried on the truck. See our brands for the full equipment roster.
Pricing for Air Duct Cleaning in Chicago, IL
| Service | Typical range in Chicago |
|---|---|
| Whole-system air duct cleaning (single-family) | $350-$650 |
| Whole-system air duct cleaning (two-flat/three-flat) | $480-$890 |
| HVAC cleaning (coil, blower, condenser) | $450-$850 |
| Evaporator coil cleaning (standalone) | $180-$340 |
| Blower assembly cleaning (standalone) | $150-$280 |
| Mold treatment (whole system) | $280-$520 |
| Bacteria sanitizing (fogging) | $220-$380 |
| UV-C light installation | $320-$580 |
| Dryer vent cleaning | $120-$240 |
| Duct repair & sealing (per system) | $280-$620 |
Chicago’s older, retrofit ductwork often requires additional access cuts or specialized tools, which can push jobs toward the higher end of these ranges. Every price is written and agreed before work starts, with no per-vent add-ons or post-arrival upsells.
Neighborhoods We Serve in Chicago
Our Chicago crews work across the city, from the bungalow belt to the lakefront and the postwar ranch neighborhoods on the edges. Most appointments are scheduled within 3-5 business days, with emergency mold treatments available sooner.
- Bridgeport
- Logan Square
- Norwood Park
- Gage Park
- Garfield Ridge
Service Area - Cities Near Chicago
We also serve homeowners in surrounding suburbs, with the same written-price guarantee and documented photo record on every job. Our crews regularly work in Glenview, IL, Des Plaines, IL, Lombard, IL, and Elk Grove Village, IL, with scheduling coordinated from our Chicago office.
Serving Chicago, IL - Our Local Coverage Area
We’re based in the Chicago area and know this community well. Use the map below to see our service coverage - if you’re nearby, we can almost certainly help.
FAQs About Air Duct Cleaning in Chicago
No permit is required for residential air duct cleaning in Chicago; it’s classified as maintenance, not alteration work. Duct repair or modification that changes the system capacity may require permitting through the City of Chicago Department of Buildings. We handle permit documentation on any repair job that requires it.
Most Chicago appointments are available within 3-5 business days. We do not promise same-day dispatch, but emergency mold treatments and post-renovation cleanings can often be accommodated within 48 hours. All scheduling is handled by live answer, 24/7, at (224) 351-9772.
Yes, we clean ductwork in Chicago condos and co-ops, including high-rise units with common-shaft exhaust systems. We coordinate with building management for access to mechanical rooms and common dampers, and we provide the same written price and photo documentation required by Haven Standard Clause 1.
What happens when you call
- 1A real person answersNo phone trees - talk to a local air duct cleaning pro.
- 2You get an upfront price rangeHonest numbers before anyone is dispatched. No surprises.
- 3We come out and measureLicensed & insured, at a time that suits you - the visit and the quote are both free.
- 4You get the price in writingLine-itemed, yours to keep, and nothing starts until you say go.
What Chicago Customers Say
"Flat price agreed up front, no per-vent add-ons at the end. That was the whole reason I did not call the coupon company."
- Suzanne B."They found a disconnected duct in the crawl space that had been dumping conditioned air under the house for years. Photographed it, quoted the repair, fixed it."
- Devon A."The before and after photographs of each run are the reason I used them. You cannot argue with what came out of the return."
- Marguerite O.