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November 18-19, 2025 | DCU Center, Worcester, MA

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In this episode of the Heat Pump Podcast, Ed Smith and Eric Fitz welcome industry veteran Tim De Stasio to explore the evolution and future of HVAC, with a special focus on heat pumps and whole-home performance evaluations. From the technical nuances of equipment sizing and commissioning to actionable strategies for scaling home performance businesses, this episode offers an expansive view of what HVAC excellence looks like today and where it's headed.

Tim De Stasio is a seasoned HVAC professional with over 25 years in the industry. Having worked as a technician, contractor, and now a highly respected consultant and trainer, Tim recently won the 2025 HVAC Tactical Awards “Mentor of the Year.”

Key Learnings:

• The 90-day no-breakdown guarantee works — By doing comprehensive 60-point HVAC assessments that catch predictive repairs before they become callbacks, Tim can guarantee his work with zero failures to date.
• MAD Air is the hidden gremlin — Mechanically-assisted depressurization from closed bedroom doors at night causes most humidity problems in homes. Most contractors never diagnose this because they don't test pressure imbalances with a blower door.
• Size heat pumps aggressively — Manual J has enough safety factors built in. Houses have changed since 2012 energy codes. Your most inefficient heat pump can heat a home without strip heat down to 35°F or lower.
• Never lock out heat pumps below 35°F — Lock out the strip heat above 35°F, but let the heat pump run. This misconception literally killed people during the Texas freeze when contractors told homeowners to shut off heat pumps in cold weather.
• Stop installing air conditioners — The cost difference between a 14 SEER AC and 14 SEER heat pump is a few hundred dollars. Every cooling system replacement should be a heat pump, even if you're keeping the existing furnace.
• This model isn't scalable (yet) — Spending all day at one house doing comprehensive diagnostics doesn't work with traditional HVAC economics. But for boutique shops willing to charge Rolls-Royce prices and do Rolls-Royce work, there's a profitable path.
• Building science separates you from competition — Blower door tests, thermal imaging, Manual J calculations, and duct analysis show customers a level of thoroughness they've never seen. When you're doing work competitors won't, price becomes less critical.

Timestamps:

[00:03:12] – Tim’s Journey into HVAC

[00:12:57] – Technician to Business Owner to Educator

[00:18:47] – Why Heat Pumps Are the Future

[00:21:55] – The 60-Point Evaluation Process

[00:29:32] – Home as a System: Comfort Consultation Workflow

[00:46:05] – Scaling Ethical Home Performance Services

[00:51:10] – Common Heat Pump Installation & Design Mistakes

[01:05:55] – Final Thoughts and Resources

Follow Tim:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-de-stasio-0618824a/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/timdestasiohvac/?hl=en
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@timdestasiohvac/featured
• Course Careers: https://coursecareers.com/explore/hvac?campaign=Promo1&a=TimDestasioHVAC

Follow Comfort Science Solutions LLC:  

• Website: http://www.comfortsciencesolutions.com/
• Email: [email protected]

Follow the Hosts:

• Ed Smith: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ed-smith-5aa8716
• Eric Fitz: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ehfitz/
• Amply Energy Website: https://www.amply.energy/
• Amply Energy YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@amplyenergy