Building HVAC Science

EP281 Building a Diagnostic-First HVAC Company with Derek Aarstad

July 31, 2026·37 min
Episode Description from the Publisher

Quotes from the episode:    "When your HVAC system is performing at 100%, but the home isn't, the problem isn't the equipment anymore."    "Our job is to be investigators first and installers second."    "Homeowners don't just need to know their HVAC system. They need to know their home."    "If you think I'm doing too much testing, I'd argue you're probably not doing enough."    Many HVAC contractors say they focus on comfort, but Derek Aarstad has built his entire business around proving where comfort problems actually originate. As the owner of DNA Heating & Cooling in Richmond, Virginia, Derek approaches every home as an investigator, using airflow measurements, static pressure, duct leakage testing, blower door testing, thermal imaging, and building science principles before recommending solutions.     In this conversation, Bill and Derek discuss why replacing equipment often fails to solve comfort complaints, how educating homeowners builds trust, and why standardized processes

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