Before You Compare Quotes
Why the Company and the Cleaning Method Matter
Two quotes can look similar on paper and describe very different work. The price you are given depends on the equipment used, how much of the system is actually cleaned, and how long the crew spends in your home. Knowing the difference makes it easier to compare fairly.
Push vs. pull
Some methods use compressed air to move debris along the ductwork. A truck-mounted vacuum instead pulls the debris out of the system and into a sealed container outside the home. Ask which approach is included.
The equipment behind the price
Portable units are lighter and quicker to set up. Truck-mounted systems carry more suction and are designed to clean the main trunk lines, not only the vents you can see from the room.
What is actually included
A complete cleaning covers supply vents, return vents, and the main trunk lines. A quote that only covers vent openings is a smaller job, which is often why the number is lower.
Proof of the work
Before and after photos let you see the condition of the ductwork rather than taking it on faith. Any company should be willing to show you what they found.
Questions worth asking any company
- Do you use a truck-mounted vacuum or a portable unit?
- Are the main trunk lines included, or only the vents?
- How many technicians come out, and how long does the job usually take?
- Will I get before and after photos of my ductwork?
- Is the quoted price complete, or are there add-ons once you arrive?
Whichever company you choose, these answers tell you what you are paying for and make the quotes genuinely comparable.
The Short Answer
Air duct cleaning with Vortex typically ranges from $775–$1,700 for most Wichita and Derby homes, depending on total vent count, HVAC configuration, access, additional thermostats, and travel. Dryer vent cleaning typically ranges from $179 for ground-level access to $250 for roof access.
2026 Air Duct Cleaning Prices in Wichita & Derby
Vortex prices standard air duct cleaning by total vent count. Count every supply and return opening in the home to find your range.
| Total Vents | Price |
|---|---|
| 16 vents | $775 |
| 18 vents | $845 |
| 20 vents | $915 |
| 22 vents | $985 |
| 24 vents | $1,025 |
| 26 vents | $1,095 |
| 28 vents | $1,165 |
| 30 vents | $1,235 |
Larger Systems (32–40 Vents)
Larger homes are priced by vent count and by how the ductwork is accessed.
| Total Vents | Base / Basement | Crawlspace, Attic or Slab | Two Thermostats |
|---|---|---|---|
| 32 vents | $1,350 | $1,400 | $1,450 |
| 34 vents | $1,420 | $1,470 | $1,520 |
| 36 vents | $1,490 | $1,540 | $1,590 |
| 38 vents | $1,560 | $1,610 | $1,660 |
| 40 vents | $1,630 | $1,680 | $1,730 |
Homes with three or more thermostats: an in-person estimate may be required. Additional thermostats may add approximately $50 each because the crew has to move equipment between HVAC units and clean the additional system components. If your home has multiple HVAC systems, that is one of the most important pricing considerations to mention when you request a quote.
What Changes the Cost?
Number of vents
Vent count is the starting point for pricing. More vents usually means more ductwork and more time on site.
Basement vs. crawlspace, attic, or slab
Harder access takes longer and can require the crew to move equipment differently, so larger systems are priced by access type.
Number of HVAC systems
A home with two furnaces or air handlers is really two duct systems. Each one has to be connected to and cleaned separately.
Number of thermostats
Additional thermostats may add about $50 each, because the crew moves equipment between HVAC units and cleans the additional system components. For three or more thermostats, an in-person estimate may be required.
Travel distance
Properties outside the normal service area may be priced differently. Roughly 35 minutes outside the standard service area may add around $200. Jobs more than about an hour away may carry a $1,500 minimum, and jobs about 1.5 hours away may carry a $2,000 minimum, depending on vent count. This is Vortex travel pricing, not a national standard.
Optional add-ons
Antimicrobial treatment is $100 and a camera inspection is $150 when appropriate for the home.
Why Cheap Air Duct Cleaning Can Be Misleading
The cheapest air duct cleaning company is not always the best comparison, because homeowners are often comparing completely different services.
A very low-cost offer may only address the visible vent openings, use weaker equipment, skip portions of the duct system, or disturb debris without effectively removing it. That can look like a bargain on paper and still leave most of the system untouched.
The most useful question isn't "who is cheapest?" It's "what exactly am I getting for the price?"
If you want a deeper look at this, read why the cheapest duct cleaning can cost you more.
What Vortex's Cleaning Process Includes
A Vortex air duct cleaning covers supply vents, return vents, and the main trunk lines, using truck-mounted vacuum equipment connected directly to the ductwork.
Connect the truck-mounted vacuum
The vacuum hose is attached directly to the main trunk line of your duct system.
Put the system under negative pressure
Air is pulled through the ductwork so loosened debris travels toward the vacuum instead of into your home.
Work through individual vent openings
The crew uses compressed-air tools at each supply and return opening to loosen settled dust and debris.
Move debris toward the vacuum
Loosened debris is carried down the ducts and captured by the truck-mounted system so it leaves the house.
Managing a business or facility instead of a home? Vortex also handles commercial air duct cleaning.
How Much Does Dryer Vent Cleaning Cost?
Dryer vent cleaning is priced separately from duct cleaning and depends on how the vent exits the home.
$179
Ground-Level Dryer Vent Cleaning
$250
Roof-Access Dryer Vent Cleaning
Typically $600–$800
Dryer Vent Repair
Repair pricing depends on the specific dryer vent problem, so the final number is based on what the crew finds. A camera inspection is available for $150 when it helps identify the issue, and antimicrobial treatment is $100 when appropriate.
Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Duct Cleaning Company
- Do you clean supply vents, returns, and trunk lines?
- What type of vacuum equipment do you use?
- How is debris captured and removed from the house?
- Are multiple HVAC systems included in the quote?
- Are there additional charges based on access or thermostats?
- Is the quoted price for the entire system?
Air Duct Cleaning in Wichita and Derby, Kansas
Vortex is based in Derby and works throughout Wichita, Sedgwick County, and the surrounding Kansas communities. Homes here range from older Wichita neighborhoods with basement ductwork to newer Derby builds on slab or with attic-run systems, and that difference shows up in the price.
Kansas weather also plays a part. Storm season, humidity, and the swing between heavy AC and heavy furnace use all move dust and moisture through the same duct system. If your home has had water intrusion, it may be worth reviewing mold remediation before or alongside a cleaning.
Serving Wichita, Derby, and the surrounding Sedgwick County area. Properties farther out may be priced with the travel guidelines listed above.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does air duct cleaning cost in Wichita?+
Vortex's 2026 pricing starts around $775 for a 16-vent home and increases based on vent count, HVAC configuration, access, thermostats, and travel distance.
How much does dryer vent cleaning cost in Wichita?+
Ground-level dryer vent cleaning is $179. Roof-access dryer vent cleaning is $250.
Does the number of vents affect air duct cleaning cost?+
Yes. More vents generally mean more ductwork and additional cleaning time, so Vortex pricing increases as vent count increases.
Does having two HVAC systems cost more?+
It can. Multiple systems or thermostats may require the crew to reposition equipment and clean additional HVAC components.
What does Vortex clean during an air duct cleaning?+
Vortex cleans supply vents, return vents, and trunk lines using a truck-mounted vacuum system and negative-pressure cleaning process.
Why are some duct cleaning companies much cheaper?+
Companies may be quoting different scopes of work. Homeowners should compare the equipment used, which parts of the system are cleaned, and how debris is removed instead of comparing price alone.
Want an Exact Price for Your Home?
Every duct system is a little different. Tell Vortex how many vents you have, how many HVAC systems serve the home, and where you're located. We'll help you understand what your cleaning should cost before the work begins.