Lesson 1Cleaning registers, grilles, boots and grilles: removal, brushing, wiping, sanitizing options and fasteners reinstallationThis section details safe cleaning of registers, grilles, and boots, including removal, brushing, wiping, optional sanitizing, and correct reinstallation of fasteners to prevent air leaks, noise, and cosmetic damage to finishes.
Identifying register and grille typesSafe removal without wall damageManual and mechanical brushing methodsSurface wiping and rinsing optionsUsing sanitizers and documenting useReinstalling fasteners and sealingLesson 2Step-by-step cleaning of return ducts: access creation, agitation sequence, vacuuming technique, protecting furnace intakeThis section presents a step-by-step process for cleaning return ducts, including creating access, setting up agitation and vacuuming, protecting the furnace intake, sealing openings afterward, and documenting conditions and results for clients.
Locating and marking return duct runsCutting and sealing access openingsAgitation sequence for return ductsVacuum hose placement and passesProtecting furnace and filter intakePost-cleaning sealing and photosLesson 3Overview of cleaning methods and when to use each: negative air with agitation, source removal vacuuming, contact brushing vs air whippingThis section provides an overview of major duct cleaning methods, including negative air with agitation, source removal vacuuming, contact brushing, and air whipping, with guidance on when each method is appropriate and how to combine them effectively.
Negative pressure cleaning principlesSource removal vacuuming basicsContact brushing tools and usesAir whipping tools and limitationsChoosing methods by duct materialCombining methods for best resultsLesson 4Step-by-step cleaning of supply ducts: downstream access strategy, coil and plenum containment, sequence to avoid recontaminationThis section outlines a step-by-step method for cleaning supply ducts, including downstream access planning, protecting coils and plenums, agitation and vacuuming sequence, and measures to prevent recontamination of cleaned sections.
Mapping supply branches and trunksDownstream access and plug strategyIsolating coil and plenum areasAgitation sequence for supply runsVacuuming from distal to main trunkPreventing recontamination of branchesLesson 5Approach to flexible ducts and attic-only vents: gentle agitation techniques, air-whip length control, inspection without destructive removal, when to avoid cleaningThis section explains how to approach flexible ducts and attic-only vents using gentle agitation, controlled air-whip techniques, and careful inspection, while recognizing when cleaning is unsafe or ineffective and replacement is the better option.
Construction of flexible duct assembliesPre-cleaning inspection in atticsGentle brushing and agitation limitsAir-whip length and pressure controlNon-destructive camera inspectionCriteria for avoiding flex duct cleaningLesson 6Decontamination and waste management: filter and debris disposal, HEPA vacuum canister handling, cleaning tools between jobsThis section explains decontamination and waste management, including handling filters, debris, and HEPA canisters, cleaning and disinfecting tools between jobs, labeling and bagging waste, and preventing cross-contamination to other areas.
Collecting and bagging duct debrisHandling and sealing used filtersEmptying HEPA canisters safelyCleaning and disinfecting toolsPreventing cross-contaminationWaste storage, labeling, and transportLesson 7Air handler and accessible plenum cleaning steps: blower wheel cleaning, drain pan cleaning, coil exposure limits, gasketed access, avoiding damage to controlsThis section covers cleaning of air handlers and accessible plenums, including blower wheel and drain pan cleaning, limited coil exposure, creating gasketed access, and protecting wiring, controls, and cabinet integrity during and after service.
Lockout, tagout, and safety checksOpening cabinets and access panelsBlower wheel and housing cleaningDrain pan and drain line cleaningCoil exposure limits and shieldingProtecting controls, wiring, and sealsLesson 8Setting up negative air machines and HEPA vacuums: sizing, hose routing, creating negative pressure, exhaust placement and filteringThis section details setup of negative air machines and HEPA vacuums, including sizing equipment, routing hoses, creating reliable negative pressure, placing and filtering exhaust, and verifying airflow direction with simple field tests.
Calculating airflow and equipment sizeConnecting ductwork and hosesSealing access points for drawExhaust placement and filtrationVerifying negative pressure directionMonitoring performance during workLesson 9Handling hard-to-reach vents and high registers safely: extension tools, vacuum hose routing, ladder safety, minimizing ceiling damageThis section focuses on safely cleaning hard-to-reach vents and high registers using extension tools, proper vacuum hose routing, ladder setup, and techniques to minimize ceiling and wall damage while maintaining effective dust and debris capture.
Assessing reach and access challengesSelecting extension poles and toolsSafe ladder setup and positioningRouting hoses to prevent damageProtecting ceilings and wall finishesFinal inspection of high registers
