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The business of cleaning air ducts is a messy one. Because of the HVAC system's tight, enclosed spaces coupled with moving parts, it's not a welcome environment for small creatures. Sensitive readers may want to skip this article. With that said, sometimes it's better to let the technicians do the talking, so here they are: Steve E: "We were in the process of cleaning a cold air return located in a customer's basement bedroom. Attempting to place a whip into the vent, I had difficulty moving it entirely into the cavity above to reach the trunk line. Several attempts later, I decided to reach in with my hand, and I quickly pulled out a revolver-style handgun that had been hanging on a nail lodged into the wall. When we notified her of our discovery, very nonchalantly this customer replied, 'Oh yeah, I had a crazy ex-boyfriend at one time who used to hide guns all over this house—don't be surprised if you find more!'"

Technician experience matters. It seems like a simple job, air duct cleaning—some DIY folks even do it with a vacuum and a leaf-blower, right? The truth is, the HVAC system and its associated ductwork are complicated and diverse. Their condition and cleanliness are vital to your air quality and home comfort and therefore should not be entrusted to a novice. An experienced tech makes judgments based on observation. An experienced technician can quickly assess, with a visual inspection, how dirty the ducts are and even how well they were cleaned previously. This would be achieved by a brief visual inspection of the furnace, removal of the filter and peering up the return plenum, as well as a quick look inside the return vents on the main level. He'll also check to see if access holes for the tools and vacuum were cut in the appropriate places and sufficient for the configuration/extent of the home's ductwork. He'll know, based on experience, what questions to ask the homeowner to determine the appropriate l