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.
Before
After
Before
After
Before
AfterHow Much Does Air Duct Cleaning Cost in San Jose?
Air duct cleaning in San Jose typically costs between $350 and $700 for a standard single-family home, with most families landing around $450 to $550 for a full system clean including vents, returns, and the main trunk lines. Larger homes in neighborhoods like Almaden Valley or Evergreen, or systems with two HVAC units, usually run $700 to $1,100. Dryer vent cleaning, when added to the same visit, is another $125 to $200. Every job at Morton’s Air Duct Cleaning services starts with a written price before anyone touches your system, so you’ll know your exact number before we begin.
San Jose is a specific market. Our dry summers kick up dust from the Diablo Range foothills and the Santa Clara Valley floor, and that dust settles into return ducts fast. A house near the 101 or 880 corridor also pulls in more road particulate than one tucked back in the Los Gatos hills. Add in the fact that a lot of San Jose housing stock dates from the 1950s through the 1970s, with the flexible duct runs and undersized returns that came with it, and you get pricing that depends as much on the duct system as on the square footage.
Air Duct Cleaning Cost Breakdown (2026)
Here’s how San Jose pricing breaks down by service and system size. These ranges reflect what we actually quote for homes across the South Bay, from Willow Glen bungalows to newer builds out in Berryessa.
| Service | Typical San Jose Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard single-system clean (up to ~2,000 sq ft) | $350 – $550 | All supply vents, return grilles, main trunk lines, blower compartment |
| Larger home / two HVAC systems (2,000 – 3,500 sq ft) | $550 – $900 | Two air handlers, more branch runs, longer time on site |
| Heavy build-up or post-renovation clean | $500 – $950 | Drywall dust, sawdust, or years of accumulated debris |
| Dryer vent cleaning (add-on) | $125 – $200 | Lint removal, full duct run, exterior vent check |
| Extra return or supply vent | $15 – $30 each | For homes with more vents than the standard count |
| Crawlspace or attic ductwork access | $75 – $200 | Dependent on how much of the run is reachable |
A few things push that number up or down. The number of vents matters more than square footage alone, a 1,800-square-foot ranch with 14 vents is a different job than a 2,400-square-foot home with 8. Access is the second big factor. If your ducts run through a tight crawlspace under a century-old home near downtown San Jose, we’re working slower and more carefully than in an open attic. Third, the condition of the system: a home that hasn’t been cleaned in a decade takes longer than one on a maintenance schedule. If you’ve recently remodeled a kitchen in Cambrian Park or expanded a room in Campbell, construction dust gets pulled straight into your returns and changes the scope of the clean.
We use professional equipment from Rotobrush and Nikro, along with Honeywell and Aprilaire components when filters or components need replacing during the visit. That matters for pricing because it’s the difference between a thorough extraction and a shop vac with a hose.
What Affects Air Duct Cleaning Pricing in San Jose
- Number of vents and returns. Most San Jose homes have 8 to 16 vents. Each one adds time and equipment passes, so a 14-vent home in Santa Teresa costs more than a 9-vent condo near Santana Row.
- System size and number of air handlers. A single HVAC unit vs. two changes the job significantly. Homes built in the 1990s through 2000s across North San Jose often have zoned systems with two units.
- Duct accessibility. Ducts buried in crawlspaces, behind drywall, or in tight attic spaces take longer. Older Willow Glen and Rose Garden homes frequently have harder access than newer builds.
- Level of build-up. A home that’s never been cleaned pulls out far more debris than one cleaned three years ago. Newer construction dust from recent remodels bumps the scope, too.
- San Jose’s dry season and wildfire smoke. From roughly May through October, the valley pulls in dust and, in bad fire years, fine ash from surrounding ranges. That settles inside your ducts and can mean a heavier clean than a comparable home in a wetter climate.
- Add-on services. Dryer vent cleaning, filter upgrades from Honeywell or Aprilaire, and coil cleaning add to the total but often save money by combining into one visit.
If you’ve been quoted dramatically low, ask what’s actually included. A $99 special rarely covers the returns, the trunk lines, or the blower. It usually covers a handful of supply vents. We’re happy to walk you through line by line what a real clean involves. That’s part of the Cedarwell Care Promise: a written price before any work starts, every time.
How to Save on Air Duct Cleaning in San Jose
There are a few practical ways to keep your cost down without cutting corners on the work itself.
- Bundle duct and dryer vent cleaning. Scheduling both in one visit usually saves $50 to $100 compared to booking them separately, since we’re already set up and on site.
- Book during a slower month. Late winter and early spring tend to be quieter for us than the post-summer scramble, when San Jose homeowners notice more dust in the air after a long dry season.
- Ask about whole-home or multi-property rates. If you own a rental in Milpitas or a second property in Cupertino, we can quote them together.
- Skip the upsells you don’t need. We’ll tell you honestly if your ducts don’t warrant a heavy clean. Sometimes a filter change and a light pass is all a system needs.
- Get a written estimate first. Free estimates are standard with us. Call Morton’s Air Duct Cleaning at (323) 918-4345 and we’ll give you a real number for your home, not a phone-book range.
We also understand that for families with kids and pets, the cost decision isn’t only about the duct work. It’s about whether the crew protects the floors, whether the tools are quiet enough during nap time, and whether the house smells clean when they leave. Those things come standard with us, not as add-ons.
Why San Jose Families Choose Morton’s
Morton’s Air Duct Cleaning has been part of the Cedarwell family since our founding in 2005, and every job still carries the same commitments. Background-checked, uniformed technicians arrive knowing exactly what they’ll do and how much it costs, because you’ve already seen it in writing. Shoe covers and drop cloths go down before anyone walks through your hallway. We use quieter tools during nap hours when we can, and pet-safe product choices where they’re available.
When the job’s done, you get a photo of the clean-up before the crew leaves, so you can see your home was left better than we found it. And if anything isn’t right within the year, our 365-Day Done Right Promise means we come back and make it right. That’s not a slogan we pull out when asked. It’s stamped on every job.
Paul Adeyemi leads Morton’s, and the standard is simple: every home treated like one of our own. If you’ve had a rough experience with a crew that left a mess or surprised you on the invoice, that’s exactly the frustration we exist to remove.
Frequently Asked Questions About Air Duct Cleaning Cost in San Jose
How much does air duct cleaning cost in San Jose?
Most San Jose homes fall between $350 and $700 for a standard single-system clean, with larger or dual-system homes running $700 to $1,100, similar to air duct cleaning costs in Tampa, FL. The exact number depends on vent count, system size, and how much build-up is in the ducts. Call (323) 918-4345 for a free estimate built around your specific home.
Is it cheaper to clean my ducts or replace them?
Cleaning is almost always the cheaper route, typically $350 to $700 versus thousands of dollars to replace ductwork, much like air duct cleaning costs in Staten Island, NY. Replacement makes sense only when ducts are damaged, crushed, or badly disconnected. In most San Jose homes, a proper clean extends the life of the existing system. We’ll tell you honestly if replacement is the better call.
Can you clean my ducts and dryer vent the same day?
Yes. Our equipment and crew handle both in a single visit, and bundling usually saves $50 to $100 versus booking them separately. Dryer vent cleaning alone runs $125 to $200. Call (323) 918-4345 and we’ll schedule both together.
How often should I have my air ducts cleaned in San Jose?
Every 3 to 5 years is a reasonable schedule for most San Jose homes, though homes with pets, allergy sufferers, or recent remodeling may want it closer to every 2 to 3 years. A San Jose home near the 101 or 880 corridor often needs a bit more frequent attention because of road particulate.
Do you charge extra for homes with pets?
No. Pet hair and dander are part of the normal job, and there’s no pet surcharge. We take extra care around pet areas and use pet-safe product choices where available. Call (323) 918-4345 to schedule a visit that works around your household.
What’s included in a Morton’s air duct cleaning?
A standard clean covers all supply vents, return grilles, main trunk lines, and the blower compartment, and you get a written price before work starts. We use Rotobrush and Nikro equipment, protect floors with shoe covers and drop cloths, and finish with a photo of the clean-up before we leave.
Get Your Written San Jose Price Before You Commit
You shouldn’t have to guess what a duct cleaning will cost, and you shouldn’t have to hope the crew respects your home. Morton’s gives you a written price upfront, uses professional-grade equipment, and backs every job with the 365-Day Done Right Promise and the Cedarwell Care Promise. Whether you’re in Almaden Valley, Berryessa, Willow Glen, or anywhere else across San Jose, we’ll tell you exactly what your home needs and what it costs before we start.
Call (323) 918-4345 for a free estimate on air duct cleaning in San Jose. A live person answers the phone, day or night.
Pricing reflects the San Jose market as of 2026. Morton’s Air Duct Cleaning offers free estimates - call (323) 918-4345.
Written by Paul Adeyemi, Owner at Morton’s Air Duct Cleaning, serving San Jose since 2005.
What Our Customers Say
"New house, old dusty ducts. They were gentle in the house, laid down drop cloths, and double checked every register was sealed back up. Air smells fresh now."
- Scott Hemmings"Friendly, calm crew that clearly cared about the house. Covered their shoes, protected the floors, and double checked they'd closed up every vent cover properly. Would have them back."
- Omar Zaid"Ducts and dryer vent both. They put runners down the whole hall and wore booties. Spotless after, and they showed me photos of what came out. Worth every penny."
- Bonnie Vo