Whole-home duct cleaning
Dryer vent cleaning
Camera inspection
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.
Trusted Air Duct Repair for San Francisco Homeowners
Leaky or damaged air ducts quietly waste 20 to 30 percent of the air your furnace or air conditioner produces. That’s money leaving your house every month, especially in San Francisco’s older homes from the Sunset to the Mission, where Air Duct Repair - San Francisco is often needed on duct runs dating back 40, 50, even 70 years. Since 2004, Linden Air Duct Cleaning has repaired these systems with a straightforward promise: a written price before work starts, a written guarantee on every repair, and a technician whose name and photo you receive before anyone rings your bell. If your vents are weak, your rooms are uneven, or your energy bill keeps climbing, call (951) 527-6259. Marcus Veale and our repair team will tell you honestly what’s wrong and what it costs to fix.
Key Takeaways
- Air duct repair in San Francisco typically runs $180 to $800 depending on the scope, with whole-system replacement higher.
- Every repair includes a written guarantee and a free second visit if a covered repair does not hold.
- Your technician’s name and photo arrive before the visit; a photo ID badge is shown at the door.
- We answer the phone with a live person 24/7, not a voicemail tree.
HVAC Duct Installation
HVAC Duct Installation is the process of designing and installing a new duct system that connects your furnace or heat pump to every room in your home. You need this when you’re adding square footage, converting an attic or garage into living space, or when existing ductwork is so undersized or leaky that patching no longer makes sense. Linden Air Duct San Francisco handles full installations with professional-grade equipment from Rotobrush and Nikro, sized to San Francisco’s specific heating and cooling demands: mild summers, damp winters, and homes built before central HVAC was standard. A typical installation in San Francisco runs $1,500 to $5,000 depending on the number of rooms, system accessibility, and whether we’re working in a finished or unfinished space. The price goes in writing before any work begins.
Sizing the System Correctly
Most ductwork installed in older San Francisco homes was sized for a furnace only, not for modern heating and cooling combined. We calculate airflow room by room, then match the duct diameter and register placement to the load. An oversized or undersized system causes noise, hot spots, and short-cycling furnaces.
Materials for San Francisco’s Climate
We use insulated flex duct in crawl spaces and unconditioned attics, and rigid galvanized metal where ducts run through exposed areas or need to last decades. In fog-heavy neighborhoods like the Richmond and Outer Sunset, condensation control matters as much as airflow. We wrap and seal joints to prevent moisture from collecting inside the duct.
Styles & brands we work with
Air Duct Replacement
Air Duct Replacement means removing your existing ductwork entirely and installing new runs. It’s the right call when ducts are crushed, water-damaged, or so old that the insulation has degraded into dust. In San Francisco, we see this often in homes near Ocean Beach, where decades of salt air and moisture have taken a toll on metal ducting. Linden Air Duct San Francisco replaces systems with a written guarantee and a free second visit if any covered repair does not hold. A full replacement in San Francisco typically runs $2,000 to $6,500 depending on home size and access conditions. You’ll know the exact number before we order a single piece of material.
When Replacement Beats Repair
If more than 30 percent of your duct run is compromised, patching rarely holds. Collapsed sections, rust-through, and rodent damage all warrant replacement. We’ll show you photos of the damage before recommending replacement, so you’re deciding with your own eyes.
The Replacement Process
We remove the old ductwork, seal any abandoned openings, and install new insulated runs with mastic-sealed joints. Each section is pressure-tested before we close up the crawl space. The job usually takes one to two days for a typical San Francisco single-family home.
Ductwork Repair
Ductwork Repair addresses specific failures within your existing system: separated joints, punctures, crushed sections, and detached register boots. This is the most common service we perform for San Francisco homeowners because the damage is usually localized and repairable. Linden Air Duct San Francisco fixes the problem at its source rather than masking symptoms with a stronger blower or more filter changes. Typical repair costs in San Francisco run $180 to $800 depending on how many joints, sections, or boots need attention. Every repair carries a written guarantee, and if a covered repair fails, we return at no charge.
Sealing Leaks at the Joints
In older San Francisco homes, duct tape from previous repairs often peels away within a few seasons. We use mastic sealant and UL-listed metal tape on joints, not fabric tape. This is the difference between a repair that holds and one that fails again in a year.
Repairing Crushed and Separated Runs
Rodents, renovation work, and simple age crush flex duct in crawl spaces and attics. We locate the collapsed section, cut it out, and splice in new material with proper support straps. The furnace stops working hard to push air through a straw.
Duct Replacement
Duct Replacement is a partial replacement: we remove and replace a specific section or run of ductwork while leaving the rest of the system intact. This makes sense when one branch is beyond repair but the trunk line and other branches are still sound. Linden Air Duct San Francisco performs duct replacement in San Francisco homes where, for example, a single bathroom or converted garage has a failed run while the main system works fine, and we also offer Daly City Air Duct Repair for nearby homeowners with similar issues. Partial replacement typically runs $400 to $1,500 in San Francisco depending on the length of run and access. We always put the number in writing before work begins, so there’s no surprise at the end.
Identifying the Failed Section
We trace airflow with a flow hood and inspect each accessible run before recommending partial replacement. You see exactly which section failed and why. If a whole branch is compromised, we replace the branch; if only a short length is crushed, we replace that length.
Matching New to Old
We match the new duct’s diameter and material to your existing system so airflow stays balanced. Mixing incorrectly sized sections creates turbulence and noise. The repaired system should be quieter than before the failure, not louder.
Ductwork Installation
Ductwork Installation is the complete construction of a new duct system for a home that has never had one, or the replacement of every section at once. You’ll need this if your San Francisco home still uses radiant heat or a wall furnace and you’re switching to a central HVAC system. Linden Air Duct San Francisco handles complete installations from design to register placement, with professional equipment and a written guarantee on the work. Full ductwork installation in San Francisco typically runs $2,500 to $6,000 depending on home size, number of registers, and whether we’re working in a basement, crawl space, or attic. The final number goes in writing before a single component is ordered.
Designing for Your Home’s Layout
San Francisco’s Victorians and Edwardians were not built for forced air, so each installation requires a custom layout. We route ducts through existing closets, soffits, and crawl spaces where possible to avoid affecting ceiling heights. Every register location is chosen for practical comfort in the rooms you actually use.
Indoor Air Quality Built In
New installations are the right time to add filtration and humidity control matched to your home. We work with air-quality products from Honeywell and Aprilaire for whole-home filtration. You get clean air delivery, not just warm or cool air.
Brands We Service
We service duct systems and air-quality equipment from every major brand found in San Francisco homes. Honeywell filtration units are among the most common we see, and we stock replacement filter media for their whole-home models, including the popular media cabinets paired with newer forced-air systems. Aprilaire humidifiers and dehumidifiers also appear regularly in San Francisco’s damp microclimates, particularly in homes near the bay where moisture control matters year-round. We diagnose these units accurately and quote repairs in writing before any work begins.
We also work with Guardsman air purification products and Abatement Technologies HEPA filtration systems when our customers want a serious upgrade to their indoor air quality. These brands appear less often but require specific knowledge when they fail. Whether you have a Honeywell, Aprilaire, Abatement Technologies, or any other make, we can help.
See the difference
Before
After
Before
After
Before
AfterSigns You Need a Pro Right Now
- Rooms that never reach the right temperature. One bedroom is freezing while the living room is fine. This usually points to a disconnected or crushed duct run serving that room, not a furnace problem.
- A sudden jump in your PG&E bill with no change in usage. Leaky ducts force your system to run longer to hit the thermostat setting. San Francisco rates are high enough that a 20 percent leak is real money every month.
- Whistling, rattling, or banging from the vents. Air escaping through a small gap makes a whining noise. Rattling often means a section has come loose and is vibrating against framing.
- Dust building up quickly on furniture near the vents. A torn return duct pulls air from the crawl space or attic instead of the room, bringing insulation fibers and debris with it. This isn’t normal dust; it’s unfiltered air.
- Musty smell when the heat or AC runs. Moisture entering through a leaking duct in a damp San Francisco crawl space feeds mold and mildew. The smell travels through every register. This one deserves immediate attention.
Our Process, Step by Step
- 1
Talk to a live person. Call (951) 527-6259 and you’ll reach a real human, 24/7, not an answering service. We ask about your symptoms, your home’s age and size, and what you’ve noticed at the vents.
- 2
In-home inspection with a flow hood and camera. We measure airflow at each register and inspect accessible duct runs with a small camera when needed. You see what we see. The diagnosis is written down, not described over the phone.
- 3
Written price before any work. You receive a line-item quote covering the repair, replacement, or installation scope. That number does not change unless you approve a change in scope first. No surprise invoices.
- 4
Repair or installation done to code. Our technicians seal joints with mastic and UL-listed tape, support runs properly, and pressure-test completed sections. Work is done to current California mechanical code and San Francisco permitting requirements where applicable.
- 5
Guarantee and follow-through. Every repair includes a written guarantee. If a covered repair fails within the guarantee period, we return and fix it at no charge. You have our word in writing, which matters more than a verbal promise.
How Much Does Air Duct Repair Cost in San Francisco?
A typical air duct repair in San Francisco runs $180 to $800 depending on how many sections, joints, or boots need attention. A straightforward joint reseal near the furnace might cost under $250, while replacing a crushed ten-foot run in a tight crawl space could reach $800 or more. Partial duct replacement falls between $400 and $1,500. Full replacement or new installation runs $2,000 to $6,500 depending on home size and access. These are real San Francisco numbers: labor rates here are higher than in the East Bay or North Bay, and older Victorians with tight crawl spaces take longer to work in than newer construction. For Air Duct Repair - South San Francisco and other nearby areas, pricing reflects similar conditions.
What affects the price: home age, crawl space versus attic access, how much duct is damaged, and whether we’re repairing galvanized metal or replacing flexible duct. How to avoid overpaying: get a written price before work begins, ask whether the repair quote includes parts and labor, and confirm whether the company charges per foot or per job. We charge one flat price per project, agreed before anything starts. Our free estimate includes the diagnosis, the written price, and photos of what we found. Call (951) 527-6259 to schedule yours.
Our Service Area Near San Francisco
Linden Air Duct San Francisco serves homeowners throughout San Francisco and the surrounding Bay Area, including Daly City, South San Francisco, Pacifica, and Millbrae. We also handle Air Duct Repair in Oakland and Air Duct Repair in Hayward for customers across the bay. Most San Francisco appointments are scheduled within a few business days, with inspection and repair often completed in a single visit. Visit our Air Duct Repair in San Francisco page for more detail, or return to our home page to see all services.
Serving San Francisco, CA - Our Local Coverage Area
We’re based in the San Francisco area and know this community well. Use the map below to see our service coverage - if you’re nearby, we can almost certainly help.
Frequently Asked Questions About Air Duct Repair in San Francisco
Air Duct Repair - Alameda and our San Francisco service both fix leaks, crushed sections, disconnected joints, and damaged boots in the system that carries heated or cooled air from your furnace or air conditioner to your rooms. The work usually involves sealing joints with mastic, splicing in new sections, or reattaching runs that have separated. It restores airflow and stops conditioned air from escaping into your crawl space or attic.
Most repairs in San Francisco take two to four hours from arrival to cleanup. Replacing a crushed section adds time if access is tight, which is common in older Victorians and Edwardians. Full replacement or new installation typically takes one to two days.
Most repairs run $180 to $800 depending on scope and access. Partial replacement runs $400 to $1,500, and full replacement or new installation runs $2,000 to $6,500. You’ll receive a written price before work begins, with no changes unless you approve them. Call (951) 527-6259 for an exact quote; estimates are free.
We service Honeywell whole-home filtration units and Aprilaire humidifiers and dehumidifiers regularly in San Francisco homes. We stock common replacement media for Honeywell media cabinets and diagnose Aprilaire control and water-feed issues. Repairs on these units are quoted in writing before any work starts.
You can reach a live person at (951) 527-6259 any hour of the day or night, and we’ll schedule your repair as soon as a technician is available. For a fully detached duct leaving one room without heat on a cold San Francisco night, we prioritize getting someone to you quickly. We don’t charge emergency fees as a bolt-on; you pay the same written price.
Every repair includes a written guarantee covering the specific repair work for 365 days. If a covered repair fails during that period, we return and make it right at no charge. This is the 365-Day Done Right Promise, and it’s written on every job, not just explained over the phone.
Clear a path to your furnace and any attic or crawl space access points. If you have items stored near floor registers, move them aside so we can access the boots. You’ll receive the technician’s name and photo before arrival, and a photo ID badge will be shown at the door. That’s the Threshold Standard, and it applies to every single visit.
Schedule Your Air Duct Repair Service in San Francisco Today
Call (951) 527-6259 for a free, no-obligation estimate on air duct repair in San Francisco. You’ll get a written price before any work begins, a written guarantee on the repair, and a technician you’ll know by name before the doorbell rings. Marcus Veale and our San Francisco team are ready to help.
Written by Marcus Veale, Owner at Linden Air Duct San Francisco, serving San Francisco since 2004.