Whole-home duct cleaning
Dryer vent cleaning
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Sanitizing & deodorizingWhole-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.
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AfterReturn Duct Cleaning in Alpharetta, GA
Return duct cleaning in Alpharetta typically costs between $90 and $250 when done as part of a full system cleaning, and the work usually takes 1 to 2 hours. Return ducts are the large vent openings that pull air from your living spaces back into the HVAC system, and they collect a disproportionate share of dust, pet hair, and debris simply because they are always pulling air inward. Hollis Air Duct Alpharetta cleans return ducts as part of our full Air Duct Cleaning in Alpharetta service, using the same negative-air equipment commercial crews run on large buildings.
We are part of the Garrison Partners family, and we have been at this since 2004. Roy Castellanos runs this location, and every job gets a written price before we touch anything. If you want to know what return duct cleaning costs at your house, call (762) 769-7145 and we will give you a straight number.
Key Takeaways
- Return duct cleaning in Alpharetta runs $90 to $250 when bundled with full Air Duct Cleaning; standalone pricing depends on home size and duct layout.
- Return ducts pull air from your rooms back to the air handler, so they see more dust, pet hair, and buildup than supply vents do.
- Hollis Air Duct Alpharetta uses Nikro negative-air machines and Rotobrush rotary brush systems, not hardware-store vacuums.
- Every job gets a written price before work starts, and every job is covered by the 365-Day Done Right Promise.
- Phones are answered by a live person 24/7. Call (762) 769-7145 for a free estimate.
When You Need Return Duct Cleaning
Most Alpharetta homeowners do not think about return ducts until something forces them to. The telltale signs are usually visible at the return grille itself or noticeable in how the system behaves. Here is what we see most often in homes across Alpharetta, from Windward to downtown to the neighborhoods off Rucker Road:
- Gray dust streaks on the wall around the return grille. This is a classic Alpharetta symptom, especially in homes built in the 1990s and early 2000s where return ducts run through unconditioned attic space. The air moving past a dirty return pulls particulates across the wall surface and leaves visible streaking.
- Pet hair accumulating on the outside of the return grille. If you vacuum the grille and it is covered again within a week, the return duct behind it is likely packed with hair and dander. This is common in Alpharetta households with larger dogs, particularly in homes near Wills Park where dogs get walked daily.
- One room that never cools or heats correctly. A return duct that is partially blocked or badly loaded with debris reduces airflow to that zone. The room stays stuffy in July even though the thermostat says the system is running fine.
- Visible debris inside the return opening when you remove the grille. You should not see a blanket of gray fuzz, construction debris, or what looks like dryer lint inside a return duct. If you do, it has been accumulating for years.
- Higher energy bills in the summer. A restricted return path makes the blower work harder to move the same volume of air. In Alpharetta’s July and August heat, that inefficiency shows up on your Georgia Power bill.
- Renovation dust after a remodel. If you have had drywall work, flooring replacement, or trim carpentry done, fine demolition dust gets pulled into the return duct system. That dust then recirculates through the house for months unless the returns are cleaned.
If any of these match what you are seeing, the fix starts with a proper return duct cleaning. Call (762) 769-7145 and we will schedule a visit inside a firm window.
Our Return Duct Cleaning Process
We do not send a technician with a shop vacuum and wishful thinking. The process follows a set sequence, and the same sequence applies whether we are cleaning a single return drop or the full return side of the system. We also offer Supply Duct Cleaning using the same thorough approach. Here is what happens on the job:
- Inspect the return side and the supply side. Before any cleaning begins, we look at what is actually in the ducts. The tech checks the return grilles, the return trunk line, and the connection at the air handler. If there is mold concern or water staining, we tell you what we see before we clean anything. There is no mystery conclusion after the fact.
- Connect the negative-air machine and seal the system. We use Nikro negative-air equipment, which works by creating vacuum pressure inside the duct system so dust and debris are drawn into a sealed filtration unit rather than blown around your house. The machine connects to the duct near the air handler, and we seal off supply and return openings as needed. This is the same method used in commercial buildings.
- Agitate the return ducts with rotary brush agitation. A Rotobrush rotary brush system runs through the return lines to dislodge the packed-on debris that suction alone will not pull off. The combination of agitation and continuous vacuum is what actually removes material from the duct walls. A vacuum alone gets the loose stuff; the brush gets what has adhered.
- Clean the return grilles, boots, and interior surfaces. Grilles come off, get cleaned, and go back on. The boot, which is the connection between the grille and the duct run, gets wiped down. We also clean the return plenum at the air handler, which is one of the most common places for a thick layer of dust to accumulate unnoticed.
- Run the system and verify airflow. After the return side is clean and everything is reconnected, we run the system and check airflow at the grilles. If the blower sounds different or airflow has improved, you will usually notice it immediately. We leave the site clean and walk you through what was done.
Every step is done by background-checked, uniformed technicians who carry the same equipment standards across the Garrison Partners family. The Garrison Code is the operating standard: arrive inside the window, price it in writing, do the job by the book, leave the site clean.
Return Duct Cleaning Pricing in Alpharetta
Here is what you can expect to pay for return duct cleaning in Alpharetta, based on the jobs we run in this market. These are straight price ranges, not teaser numbers:
- Return duct cleaning as part of a full system cleaning: $90 to $250 added to the system cleaning price, depending on the number of return drops and the home’s square footage.
- Standalone return duct cleaning (if you only want the return side done): $180 to $450, depending on accessibility, number of returns, and whether the return trunk runs through the attic or a basement/crawlspace.
- Multi-return homes (5,000+ sq ft, two-story homes in Alpharetta developments like The Manor or Windward): $300 to $600 for the return side alone, because these homes run long return trunk lines that take more time to clean properly.
What affects the price is mostly layout: how many return grilles you have, how long the return trunk runs, whether the return drop is accessible or runs through a tight attic chase, and how loaded the ducts are. A home where the return duct has not been cleaned in 15 years takes longer than one cleaned three years ago. We price it before we start, in writing, and that number does not move at the door. If the duct system has a problem we did not see at the estimate, you will know before we do the extra work, with the new price written down first.
Call (762) 769-7145 for a free estimate. We will give you the number for your specific house, not a national average.
FAQs – Return Duct Cleaning
How much does return duct cleaning cost in Alpharetta?
Return duct cleaning in Alpharetta costs $90 to $450 on its own, with multi-return homes over 5,000 square feet running $300 to $600. The price depends on the number of returns, the length of the return trunk line, and how heavily the ducts are loaded. Call (762) 769-7145 for an exact quote on your home; estimates are free and the price is written before we start.
How do I know if my return ducts need cleaning?
You need return duct cleaning if you see gray dust streaking around return grilles, pet hair accumulating on grilles within days of vacuuming, or visible debris inside the return opening when the grille is removed. Rooms that never seem to cool or heat correctly often have a loaded return duct restricting airflow. If you are unsure, call us at (762) 769-7145 and we will tell you what we find during a Video Inspection.
Is return duct cleaning worth doing if my supply vents are clean?
Yes, because the return side pulls air in and collects a different type of debris than the supply side: pet hair, dust, carpet fibers, and construction debris. Cleaning supply vents only while leaving returns packed is doing half the job, since air crossing a dirty return re-contaminates the system. We always recommend cleaning the return side and supply side together for this reason.
How long does return duct cleaning take?
Most Alpharetta homes run 1 to 3 hours for return duct cleaning, depending on the number of returns and how much debris is packed into the trunk line. Homes over 5,000 square feet with multiple returns may take 4 hours. Call (762) 769-7145 and we will give you a time estimate with your quote.
Why Hollis Air Duct Alpharetta for Return Duct Cleaning
We have been cleaning ducts since 2004, and we are part of the Garrison Partners family. The standard here is not a sales pitch; it is a written set of commitments. Every job gets a written price before any work begins. Every job is covered by the 365-Day Done Right Promise: if the work fails within a year, we come back and make it right at no charge, including a free second visit. That is in writing on every job.
Our technicians are background-checked and uniformed, and they use professional-grade equipment: Nikro negative-air machines and Rotobrush rotary brush systems. Filtration products from Honeywell, Aprilaire, and Guardsman are available where the job calls for them. These are the same tools commercial crews use, not hardware-store gear.
Phones are answered by a live person 24/7, including weekends and holidays. No voicemail loop. No waiting until Monday. If you want return duct cleaning done right, call (762) 769-7145 and we will get you on the schedule.
Written by Roy Castellanos, Owner at Hollis Air Duct Alpharetta, serving Alpharetta.