Derek and Laura Aarstad founded DNA Heating & Cooling with a mission: deliver HVAC that prioritizes safety, efficiency, comfort, and health—not just equipment replacement. As a boutique, owner-operated company serving Richmond, Midlothian, and Henrico, we've built our reputation on doing what larger contractors won't.
We test every system. We size equipment to your home's actual needs. And we're leading the region's shift to all-electric heating and cooling. No gas furnaces. No carbon monoxide. No rotating crews. Just expert service backed by measurable results.
From all‑electric heat‑pump installations to comprehensive energy audits, we provide high‑performance heating‑and‑cooling solutions throughout Richmond, Midlothian, Henrico, and Chesterfield. Every system tested, measured, and verified.
We don't just swap equipment. We engineer environments using data, precision measurements, and the highest standard of craftsmanship.
Every installation is personally overseen by Derek — master HVAC contractor. No rotating crews, no surprises. Pure accountability from start to finish.
Consistent craftsmanship and zero shortcuts.
Cleaner air, safer operation. Our heat pump systems eliminate gas leaks, carbon monoxide risks, and flue failures. Just quiet, highly efficient comfort.
A healthier home and total peace of mind.
We verify performance through airflow, pressure, and duct leakage testing. If we can measure it, we do. No oversized equipment, just perfect fit.
Even temps and ultra-quiet operation.
Performance HVAC is about more than equipment—it's about health and well-being. We focus on humidity control and silent airflow.
Better living, every single season.
"If it's not tested, it's just a guess."
The payoff for doing everything else right —
Lower bills. Less waste. More comfort.
We start by understanding how your home actually behaves—comfort issues, hot/cold rooms, allergies, utility bills—not just 'what's broken.'
Most HVAC companies guess. We measure airflow, pressure, duct leakage, equipment performance, and system design. If we can measure it, we do.
Comfort isn't one-size-fits-all. We design solutions tailored to your home—not oversized box swaps or lowest-bid shortcuts.
A Master HVAC Contractor oversees every project. High-performance installation built for comfort, efficiency, and reliability — with quality control from start to finish.
We test and verify system performance, share results with photos, and explain what changed—so you know it's working and why it matters.
DNA Heating & Cooling is owned and operated by Derek and Laura Aarstad — Richmond natives committed to doing HVAC work the right way. Derek is a Master HVAC Contractor with a Class A license, NCI certification, and RBEA certification. With over 15 years of experience, he brings careful diagnostics, proper installation, and verified performance to every job. Laura manages operations and customer communication, ensuring every project runs smoothly from start to finish.
We're a small company by design. You work directly with us, and we stand behind everything we do.
Don't just take our word for it. Here's what homeowners in your area are saying about our services.
“Always on time, great customer service. won't use any other company!”
Maria Jones
Richmond, VA
“We're new to town and learned about DNA from the good people of RVA Reddit - another great experience from the recommendations there! Solid people, quality work, no nonsense. Our new-to-us house has two mini-splits that needed service and cleaning, so we signed up for their annual service contract and scheduled an appointment within a couple of weeks. Communication + scheduling was easy and fast. Derek came out early for our appointment, and was able to do a (much-needed) deep clean of both units that day for an additional cost. We expected to pay more than the standard annual contract because these units were very dirty and probably hadn't been serviced in years. Now they're in top shape and I can run them without wondering what I'm breathing in from those old nasty filters. After our experience yesterday, we plan to set up an annual service contract with them for our main HVAC unit as well. Highly recommend working with DNA for all your HVAC needs!”
El VanDyne
Richmond, VA
“Derek and his company, DNA, were just terrific. Great communication, showed up when he said he would for both the estimate and the job, and did great work at a very fair price. Very considerate of our house too. Call him. You'll be glad did.”
bsw
Richmond, VA
Google rating score: 5.0 of 5, based on 304+ reviews
We serve homeowners within a 30-mile radius of Richmond, including:
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