5 Warning Signs of an Air Duct Cleaning Scam in Houston (Don't Be Fooled)

We've all seen the ads on Facebook or in the coupon packs: "Whole House Duct Cleaning - Unlimited Vents - $49!"

As a professional who has been in this business in Houston for 15 years, let me tell you the truth: You cannot clean an entire HVAC system for $49. It doesn't even cover the gas to get the truck to your house.

These companies are marketing aggregators, often not even based in Texas. They sell your lead to a subcontractor who shows up with one goal: Upsell you or leave.

Here are the 5 biggest red flags that you are dealing with a scammer.

1. The "Per Vent" Pricing Game

Legitimate pros charge by the system or the square footage. Scammers charge "per vent" or give a crazy low flat rate like $49.

Once they get in the door, they start counting. "Oh, you have a return vent? That's extra. Oh, you have a main trunk line? That's extra." Suddenly that $49 coupon becomes a $600 bill.

2. The "Mold" Scare Tactic

This is the most despicable one. They walk in, peek at a vent, and immediately tell you, "You have black mold! It's dangerous! We need to do a chemical treatment right now for $800."

Reality check: A cleaner cannot legally diagnose "mold" just by looking at it. That requires a lab test. Most of the time, it's just dust. They use fear to panic you into paying.

3. The "Blow-and-Go" (No Negative Pressure)

If they walk in with a shop vac and a hand drill, kick them out.

Real duct cleaning requires negative air pressure. We hook a massive vacuum hose to your main unit to suck everything out. If they are just sticking a vacuum hose into the register and sucking for 30 seconds, they aren't cleaning your ducts. They are just cleaning the vent cover.

4. No Truck-Mounted Equipment

Look at their vehicle. Is it a marked company van or truck? Or is it a beat-up sedan with a magnetic sticker on the door?

Professional duct cleaning requires heavy equipment. Portable vacuums (like the ones you rent at Home Depot) simply do not have the power to pull dust from the back of a 20-foot duct run. If they aren't running a hose from a truck or a large portable HEPA unit, they aren't doing the job right.

5. The "15-Minute" Job

Cleaning the air ducts in a standard 2,000 sq ft Houston home takes time. We have to seal the vents, hook up the vacuum, agitate every single supply line, clean the return, and clean the main trunk.

It takes a 2-man crew about 3 to 5 hours to do it right. If someone claims they cleaned your whole house in 45 minutes, they didn't clean anything.

Protect Yourself

Don't let these fly-by-night operators touch your HVAC system. I've seen them damage flexible ductwork, leaving holes that leak cold air into the attic, driving your energy bills through the roof.

Houston Air Rescue is local, honest, and thorough. We give you a real price upfront, and we take the time to do the work properly.

Don't get scammed. Get it cleaned.

Call us today at 281-845-4011.