Air Duct Cleaning vs. HVAC Replacement: What Do You Really Need?

It’s the call no homeowner wants to make. The AC stops cooling. You call a big-name company. The technician spends 10 minutes in your attic and comes down with a grim face.

"Your system is shot. You need a new one. That'll be $14,000."

Before you write that check, stop.

I am not saying he is lying. But I am saying that in the Houston HVAC world, many technicians are paid on commission. They make more money selling you a new unit than fixing the old one.

Sometimes, a "broken" system is just a dirty system.

The "False Failure" Symptoms

Severe contamination in your air ducts and blower can mimic mechanical failure. Here is how to tell the difference.

1. No Airflow

• The Sales Pitch: "Your blower motor is weak, the system is too old."
• The Reality: Your return ducts might be so choked with dust and pet hair that no air can get through. It’s like a clogged artery. Clear the blockage, and the "weak" blower runs like new.

2. The Burning Smell

• The Sales Pitch: "Your wires are frying. It's a fire hazard."
• The Reality: It might just be dust burning off the heat strips (common in winter) or friction from a clogged motor.

3. Freezing Up

• The Sales Pitch: "You have a freon leak. You need a new coil."
• The Reality: A dirty evaporator coil cannot transfer heat, so it freezes into a block of ice. Cleaning the coil (part of our restoration service) can fix this instantly.

When Do You Actually Need Replacement?

I’m an honest guy. Cleaning won't fix everything. You probably DO need a replacement if:

• Freon Leaks: If you have to add refrigerant every year, you have a leak. Cleaning ducts won't fix a hole in the copper.
• Rust: If the bottom of your unit is rusted out and leaking water into your ceiling.
• Age: If the unit is 15-20 years old and the compressor dies, it’s not worth putting $2,000 into it.

When Do You Need Cleaning?

You should choose cleaning (System Restoration) if:

• The unit runs, but the airflow is weak.
• The air smells musty or stale.
• You have visible mold on vent covers.
• The unit is less than 10 years old but "struggling."

Get a Second Opinion

If someone tells you to scrap your system, call us for a second look.

We don't sell new units. We clean them. If we look at it and say "Buddy, this thing is dead," you can trust us because we don't profit from selling you a new one.

But more often than not, we find that a deep, professional cleaning can add 3 to 5 years of life to your current system.

Don't spend $15k if you don't have to.

Call Fresh Air Duct Cleaning Houston: +1(281-845-4011)