Air Duct Cleaning
Residential Air Duct Cleaning Services in Wichita, KS
and Surrounding Areas
Vortex is a family-owned duct cleaning company in Derby. We've been cleaning ducts in homes across Wichita and Sedgwick County for over 20 years, and we do every house the same way. A truck-mounted vacuum hooks to your main trunk line, we run a compressed-air whip through every vent, and the whole system stays under negative pressure the entire time. The dust ends up in our truck, not your living room.
Below you'll find what we clean, how long it takes, what it costs, and when you honestly don't need us. Looking for everything we do? Start with our air duct cleaning in Wichita page.
What You Get
What's Included in Every Residential Cleaning
- Every supply vent. We pull each register, whip the duct and vacuum it out.
- Every return vent and return duct. Returns pull room air back to the furnace, so they're usually the dirtiest part of the system.
- Supply and return trunk lines. These are the big runs through your basement, attic or crawlspace. We clean them from the far end back toward the furnace.
- The supply plenum, which is the metal box on top of your furnace where heated or cooled air collects.
- The air handler, blower motor and coils. We do these last and keep the coils covered while we work on the ducts.
- Flex lines. We clean them with air-driven tools instead of a spinning brush, so they don't tear.
- Register covers, wiped down and put back.
- Before-and-after photos. Our techs send you pictures of your ductwork so you can see what we found.
Not included unless you ask: antimicrobial treatment ($100) and a camera inspection ($150). We only recommend the treatment if there's mildew or you've had pests. It's a botanical product and safe around kids and pets.
Our Process
How We Clean Your Ducts
We park the truck, run a big 8" suction hose into the house, and hook it to the main trunk line off your furnace. Once the vacuum is on, the whole system is under negative pressure. Air and dust get pulled toward the truck the entire time we're working.
We start on the return side, then move to the supply side. At each vent, a compressed-air line with a whip head scrubs the inside of the duct and knocks loose the dust, dander and pet hair. A second tip pushes all of it down into the trunk line. After the last vent, we clean the trunk lines back toward the furnace and finish with the air handler, blower and coils.
Getting quotes from a few companies? Here's how truck-mounted and portable equipment compare on suction, hose size, and where the dust goes.
Drag the slider to compare
How Long Does It Take?
We finish air duct cleaning the same day. Homes with two HVAC systems, ducts in a crawlspace or attic, or more than 30 vents take longer, but it's still one visit. You don't need to leave the house.
What Does It Cost?
Most homes in Wichita and Derby fall between $775 and $1,700. Price is based on how many vents you have, starting at $775 for 16 vents. Crawlspace, attic or slab access, extra thermostats and travel distance can move it up. The full vent-count table is in our 2026 Wichita air duct cleaning price guide.
Why Clean Your Vents
Better Airflow
When returns and trunk lines are packed with dust, your blower has to work harder to push the same air. Cleaning them out lets the system move air the way it was built to.
We Can Clean Flex Lines Without Damaging or Tearing Through Them!
We don't use a traditional brush that may damage or tear through flex lines. Our equipment is gentle yet powerful. Please call if you have any questions!
316-272-6849Our Process
Air Duct Cleaning in 3 Simple Steps
Step 1: Call Us
Reach out by phone or online. Tell us what's going on and we'll schedule a time that works for you — same-day service often available in Wichita and surrounding areas.
Step 2: Get a Free Quote
We'll assess the scope, walk you through exactly what needs to happen, and give you an honest, upfront quote — no surprises, no pressure.
Step 3: We Get the Job Done
Our IICRC-certified team shows up on time, works clean, and doesn't leave until it's done right. You get results you can see, feel, and trust.
Do You Actually Need Duct Cleaning?
We'd rather tell you no than sell you a cleaning you don't need. The EPA doesn't recommend cleaning ducts on a schedule. It says to clean them when there's a real reason, and these are the reasons that hold up:
Dust Blowing From Vents
You see dust puff out when the system kicks on, or the registers are dusty again a few days after you wipe them.
Visible Mold in Metal Ductwork
Mold inside sheet-metal ducts or on the furnace coils is a good reason to clean. If someone says they see mold, they should be able to show you.
Mice, Insects or Nests
Droppings, nesting material, or a smell from the vents when the heat comes on.
After a Remodel or New Construction
Drywall dust and sawdust get sucked into the returns fast.
You Just Bought the House
You have no idea what the last owner's pets, smoking or DIY projects left in there.
When you probably don't need us: a thin layer of dust just inside a register is normal and isn't a health risk by itself. Keep changing your filter and take another look next year.
Know Your System
The Parts of an Air Duct System & How It Works
Your forced-air HVAC system pulls cool air from each room, heats or cools it at the furnace, and then delivers it back through a network of ducts and vents. Here's a quick look at the main components we clean on every job.
Supply Vents
The registers you see in the ceiling, walls, or floor of each room. Supply vents deliver conditioned (warm or cool) air from the furnace into your living spaces.
Return Vents
Usually larger grilles located centrally in a hallway or wall. Return vents pull room air back into the system so it can be filtered, reheated or cooled, and recirculated.
Supply Plenum
The large sheet-metal box sitting directly on top of your furnace. The supply plenum is where freshly heated or cooled air first collects before it's pushed out into the supply trunk lines.
Supply Trunk Line
The main "highway" of ductwork that runs from the plenum through your basement, attic, or crawl space. Smaller branch ducts tap off the trunk line to feed each individual supply vent.
Return Trunk Line
The mirror image of the supply trunk. This large duct gathers air from every return vent in the home and channels it back toward the furnace to be conditioned again.
Return Ducts
The branch ducts that connect each return vent to the return trunk line. Because they're constantly pulling in room air (and any dust or allergens with it), return ducts often collect the most buildup.
Return Air
The airflow itself — the cool, "used" air being drawn out of your rooms and back to the furnace. Return air passes through your filter first, then across the heat exchanger or A/C coils before starting the cycle over as fresh supply air. Clean return ducts mean cleaner return air, better filtration, and a more efficient system overall.
The Cycle
Room air → return vent → return duct → return trunk → filter → furnace → supply plenum → supply trunk → supply vent → back into your room. Every one of these surfaces collects dust over time, which is exactly why professional duct cleaning matters.
Why Fast Action Matters
Every hour counts. Here's why calling Vortex right away protects your home, your health, and your wallet.
Damage Spreads Quickly
Water, mold, smoke, and contamination all get worse by the hour. Waiting even a day or two can turn a contained problem into a full home restoration project.
Your Health Is on the Line
Airborne mold spores, bacteria, allergens, and indoor pollutants put your family and employees at risk. Fast professional action protects the people who use the space every day.
Costs Multiply Over Time
Small issues addressed early are dramatically cheaper than delayed repairs. Fast action limits structural damage, keeps insurance claims simpler, and protects your property value.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How much does air duct cleaning cost in Wichita?+
Most homes run $775 to $1,700, depending on how many vents you have, how we get to the ducts, and how many HVAC systems are in the house. Our 2026 price guide has the full table.
2. Is air duct cleaning worth it?+
Yes, when there's a clear reason: heavy buildup, dust blowing out of the vents, mold in metal ducts, pests, or recent construction. If none of that applies, it can wait. We'll tell you straight when we look.
3. How often should air ducts be cleaned?+
There's no single answer. NADCA, the duct cleaning trade group, suggests every 3 to 5 years for a typical home. The EPA says to clean when needed instead of on a calendar. Pets, remodels and moving into a new house are the usual reasons to do it sooner.
4. What's included in a Vortex duct cleaning?+
Every supply and return vent, the return ducts, trunk lines, supply plenum, air handler, blower motor and coils. We clean it all with a truck-mounted vacuum under negative pressure, and our techs send you before-and-after photos.
5. Will cleaning damage my flex ductwork?+
No. We use compressed-air tools, not a rotary brush, so flex lines don't get torn or punctured.
6. Do I need antimicrobial treatment?+
Only if there's mildew or you've had pests. We don't add it automatically. If you want it anyway for peace of mind, it's a botanical treatment that's safe around kids and pets.
7. How long does it take, and do I need to leave?+
We finish the same day, and you can stay home the whole time.
Request A Quote
Ready to get started? Give us a call or fill out the information below to request a quote.
