Today we’d like to introduce you to Derek Aarstad.
Hi Derek, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My name is Derek Aarstad, and I’m the owner of DNA Heating and Cooling. I’ve been in the HVAC and mechanical trades for over 16 years, with experience in residential service, light commercial work, maintenance, system design, ductwork, installations, and diagnostics. Before starting the company, I also worked as a maintenance technician for a large apartment complex and spent time teaching HVAC as an instructor, which helped shape the way I approach both technical work and customer education today.
DNA Heating and Cooling started from a desire to build something different from the typical “volume-based” HVAC company. I wanted to create a company centered around craftsmanship, honesty, diagnostics, airflow, and truly helping people understand their homes and systems instead of just selling equipment. In the early days, it was a lot of long hours, learning the business side while still being in the field every day, and slowly building trust one customer at a time.
Today, the company has grown into a respected local business known for detailed workmanship, transparency, and customer care throughout the Richmond area. My wife Laura and I run the company together, and we’ve built a team culture focused on integrity, education, and doing things the right way even when it takes more time. We’ve also expanded beyond just repairs and replacements into building science, airflow testing, duct system design, indoor air quality, and homeowner education.
What got us here was consistency, treating people fairly, standing behind our work, and genuinely caring about the outcome for the customer. We’re still growing, still learning, and still pushing to raise the standard for what homeowners should expect from an HVAC company.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely has not been a smooth road. Like many small businesses, it means wearing every hat, working long days in the field while also handling scheduling, estimates, customer service, and the business side after hours. There were financial pressures, growing pains, and a constant balancing act between business and family life.
One of the biggest challenges has been finding quality technicians who truly care about craftsmanship, diagnostics, and customer experience the way we do. Over time, we realized we did not want to grow into a large volume-based company filled with technicians who did not align with our standards and values.
That is a big reason why DNA Heating and Cooling has evolved into more of a boutique HVAC company focused on quality over quantity. We would rather keep a smaller, highly skilled team that genuinely cares about doing things the right way than sacrifice our reputation just to grow faster.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
DNA Heating and Cooling is a Richmond-based HVAC company that focuses heavily on diagnostics, airflow, system performance, and long-term reliability rather than quick sales or volume-based service. We specialize in residential HVAC service, system replacements, duct system design, indoor air quality, and building performance solutions.
What sets us apart is the level of detail and care we put into our work. We are known for taking the time to properly diagnose systems, educate homeowners, and address the root cause of issues instead of simply replacing parts and moving on. A large part of our company philosophy revolves around craftsmanship, honesty, and transparency. We believe homeowners deserve to understand what is happening with their system and why.
We have also become well known for our ductwork and airflow-focused approach. Many HVAC problems are not just equipment problems, they are design and airflow problems. We spend a lot of time evaluating static pressure, duct leakage, airflow balance, humidity control, and overall system performance to help customers achieve comfort and efficiency the right way.
Brand wise, we are probably most proud of the trust we have built within the community and the reputation we have earned for being thorough, honest, and dependable. We intentionally keep our company more boutique and quality-focused rather than trying to become a large high-volume operation. We would rather provide an exceptional experience with a highly skilled team than sacrifice quality for rapid growth.
We want readers to know that DNA Heating and Cooling is a company that genuinely cares about people, craftsmanship, and doing things the right way. Whether we are performing a repair, designing a duct system, or replacing an HVAC system, our goal is always to provide solutions that are thoughtful, transparent, and built to last.
What are your plans for the future?
Our plans for the future are centered around continuing to grow intentionally while staying true to the values that built the company. We are focused on continuing our education, improving our systems, and becoming even more specialized in airflow, duct design, home performance, and advanced HVAC diagnostics.
We are very involved in ongoing training and industry education through organizations and groups such as National Comfort Institute (NCI), Building Performance Institute (BPI), HVAC Grapevine, and multiple manufacturer and distributor training programs. We strongly believe that continuing education is one of the most important parts of staying ahead in this industry because technology, building science, and efficiency standards are constantly evolving.
Looking ahead, we plan to continue refining DNA Heating and Cooling as a boutique, high-quality HVAC company known for craftsmanship, honesty, and real problem solving. We are excited to continue growing our reputation throughout the Richmond area, investing in advanced testing and diagnostic tools, improving the customer experience, and building a team of highly skilled professionals who genuinely care about the quality of their work.
Long term, we also want to continue expanding our educational approach for homeowners by helping people better understand their homes, comfort systems, airflow, humidity, and indoor air quality so they can make more informed decisions instead of feeling pressured during service calls.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.DNARVA.com
- Instagram: https://Instagram.com/heatingandcooling
- Facebook: https://Facebook.com/dnaheatingandcoolingrva
