DUCT CLEANING SCAMS
During a CBC radio broadcast interview in November with Dr. Siegel, A PhD professor at the University of Toronto, the topic of discussion was air duct cleaning. The specific topic being how air duct cleaning may not improve air quality, and that in fact, air duct cleaning may not be worth doing due to the amount of dust and debris in the ductwork. After hearing this broadcast Vacu-Man wants to bring clarity that Jeffrey Dr. Siegel was not very clear in his delivery of furnace and duct cleaning information.
The confusion in the market occurs due to scam duct cleaning companies calling from India, or other parts of the world, offering duct cleaning services for just $99. This was confirmed in the opening interview on CBC.
Dr. Siegel’s statement remained unclear and somewhat on the fence — making a point that cleaning your air ducts has no value, then counterclaiming that same point by saying it’s important to clean your ducts if you have allergies, pets, burn candles, or have had recent renovations on your home.
Contaminants in the air will end up in your ducts and eventually enter your furnace. President, Adam Oldfield of Vacuman took it upon himself to email Dr. Siegel and explain how he felt the duct cleaning discussion confused people, as there are scam duct cleaning companies versus legitimate furnace and duct cleaning operators like Vacu-Man.
Mr. Oldfield defined the difference: There are Duct Cleaning Companies, and there are Furnace and Duct cleaning companies.
How Much Should It Cost?
These scam operations are usually companies charging around $99 to $150 to “clean your ducts.” The person on the other line may sound like they’re calling from overseas. Be cautious of solicited phone calls about air duct cleaning from a company with a generic name — something like “air duct systems” or simply “air duct cleaning.” These calls often pretend to be legitimate furnace and duct cleaning companies, sometimes even using the names of real, trusted operators like Vacu-Man Furnace and Duct Cleaning.
Furnace and Duct Cleaning Companies
This is the real distinction Adam raised with Dr. Siegel: legitimate furnace and duct cleaning companies hire properly licensed gas HVAC technicians, trained to remove the blower fan from the furnace and work on the AC coils — where most of the dust actually collects after cycling through the duct system. A company that only offers “duct cleaning” and nothing else is a red flag in itself; the ductwork and the furnace are part of the same system, and a legitimate operator treats them that way.
If you’re looking for a legitimate company, it’s always worth doing your research. Look at online reviews, and if you get a call offering duct cleaning services, check the company’s actual website for legitimacy and call the number listed there — not the number that called you.
Many scam operations overseas use fake Toronto-area phone numbers, offering air duct cleaning in cities like Hamilton, Burlington, and Oakville. Removing yourself from the Do Not Call list doesn’t always stop them. In some cases, the people making these calls aren’t bonded, and your home isn’t protected if anything goes wrong.
If you’re looking for a trusted duct cleaner and you’re worried you’ve encountered a scam, call Vacu-Man for professional, bonded furnace and duct cleaning. You can also check with the Better Business Bureau directly. Bottom line: if you paid $99 for duct cleaning, there’s a good chance you were the target of a scam, not a legitimate service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is duct cleaning actually worth doing, or was Dr. Siegel right that it has no value?
Dr. Siegel’s own statement was mixed — he acknowledged duct cleaning matters if you have allergies, pets, candles, or recent renovations. The real issue isn’t whether duct cleaning has value; it’s the difference between scam “duct cleaning only” operators and legitimate furnace and duct cleaning companies.
What's the difference between a "duct cleaning" company and a "furnace and duct cleaning" company?
Legitimate operators treat the furnace and ductwork as one connected system, using licensed gas technicians trained to work on both. A company offering only duct cleaning, especially at an unrealistically low price, is a red flag on its own.
Why do I keep getting calls offering duct cleaning for $99?
These are typically scam operations, often calling from overseas using fake local phone numbers and sometimes the names of real, trusted companies. Legitimate pricing reflects your home’s actual size and system, not a flat bargain rate.
How do I know if a company claiming to be Vacu-Man is real?
Hang up and call the number listed on our official website directly, rather than trusting the number that called you.