A vocational high school HVAC class started it. Seven years later, Dominic Chesna of DuctswithDom HVAC is the kind of technician who treats a callback like a personal failure and a clean refrigerant charge like a small act of craftsmanship. This month’s TradeMaster Spotlight catches up with Dominic on how the trade found him, the install that meant the most, and the tools that have earned a permanent spot in his truck.
From Vocational Program to the Field
Dominic’s path into HVAC started where a lot of solid careers in the trade begin: a local vocational high school program. “My breakthrough into the trade began in a local vocational high school I attended,” he says. “There I took the HVAC program and just fell in love with HVAC from that point forward.” That early exposure turned into a real career fast. Counting vocational training and field time together, Dominic has spent seven years working HVAC, with four of those years on the job as a service technician and installer.
That trajectory tracks with something a lot of HVAC contractors will recognize: the trade doesn’t always start with a five-year plan. Sometimes it starts with one class that clicks, followed by a willingness to keep showing up. Creating more of those moments of discovery is one of the goals of the SupplyHouse Foundation, which supports skilled trades education and workforce development to help the next generation of plumbing, HVAC, and electrical professionals launch successful careers.
The Install That Made It Worth It
Every technician has a job that sticks with them, and for Dominic, the proudest moment wasn’t a complicated commercial rooftop unit or a record-setting service call. It was personal. “My most proud moment was being able to install some Mitsubishi Ductless systems for my family/best friend,” he explains. “Being able to gift them with comfort is something I always wanted to do for my loved ones and to finally be able to say I did it really made it all worth it.”
Mitsubishi’s ductless lineup gives technicians flexible, zone-by-zone control without tearing into existing ductwork, which makes it a natural fit for the kind of retrofit Dominic describes. For technicians planning a similar install, the blog post How to Install a Ductless Mini Split System walks through condenser placement, vacuum procedure, and electrical requirements step by step, and Selecting a Line Set for Your Mini Split AC System breaks down line set sizing for ductless work specifically.
A Lesson That Travels Outside HVAC, Too
Asked what the trade has taught him that he carries with him, Dominic doesn’t point to a technical skill. He points to a habit. “One lesson in HVAC that I carry with me is to always listen, regardless of being in HVAC,” he says. “For example, listening to the customer can dial in exactly where the issue lies in any given system, and I feel like the same goes for life, if you just listen proactively, you’ll truly understand anything.”
It’s a small philosophy with a big payoff on service calls. A homeowner’s description of when a system started acting up, what it sounds like, and when it gets worse is often the fastest diagnostic tool on the truck, well before a meter or manifold gets involved.
The Ducts With Dom Curated Bundle
As part of this collaboration, Dominic put together a short list of the gear he reaches for most. Four tools made the cut, and each earns its spot for a specific reason.
Fieldpiece SC440 Essential Clamp Meter
“A must have, this is what gives you safety to know when a circuit is de-energized, and also figures out any electrical issues going on with a system,” Dominic says of the Fieldpiece SC440 Clamp Meter with True RMS and a magnetic strap. True RMS accuracy matters on modern variable-speed HVAC loads, where a cheaper averaging meter can read a current draw that doesn’t match what’s actually happening on the circuit. For a refresher on getting the most out of a clamp meter on a service call, How to Use a Digital Multimeter covers setup, placement, and common troubleshooting reads.
Veto Pro Pac TECH PAC MC Backpack
Organization matters once a service van fills up with meters, drivers, and parts. “Tools can get over-bearing when not organized, but the Veto Pro Pac Tech MC makes life so much more easier, and organized too,” Dominic says of the VPP10066 TECH PAC MC Backpack. A dedicated meter pocket and a waterproof base mean fewer dropped tools and less digging on a ladder or in an attic.
Klein Tools 8-in-1 HVAC Slide Drive Screwdriver
“When something is curated for HVAC, it becomes part of the EDC and this 8 in 1 Slide Drive Screwdriver has everything covered, from Schrader core removal to your standard 1/4″ 5/16″ screws, you know your covered,” Dominic says of the Klein Tools 32596 8-in-1 HVAC Screwdriver/Nut Driver. The sliding head switches between 1/4-inch and 5/16-inch nut driver tips, and the dedicated Schrader valve bit means one tool handles thermostat terminals, access panels, and refrigerant ports without a trip back to the truck.
Fieldpiece SM482V Digital Refrigerant Manifold
“Being able to check refrigerant pressures, superheat and sub cooling are so important, and the Fieldpiece SM482V make it so easy,” Dominic says of the Fieldpiece SM482V 4-Port Digital Refrigerant Manifold with built-in micron gauge. A four-port layout with an integrated vacuum gauge means evacuation, charging, and diagnostics happen without swapping hoses mid-job. For the math behind those readings, How to Measure Superheat, Subcooling, and Refrigerant Charge lays out the formulas and target ranges by system type.
Quick Hits: Dominic’s Go-To Picks
Beyond the curated bundle, Dominic answered a round of rapid-fire questions on the brands and products he reaches for on residential calls.
|
Category |
Dominic’s Pick |
| Residential thermostat |
Honeywell Home T-Series or the Ecobee Lite |
|
Furnace filter rating |
MERV 11, a balance of filtration and airflow restriction |
| Condensate pump brand |
Diversitech |
|
Mini-split line set |
Mueller Streamline Duraguard UV |
|
Refrigerant fittings |
A mix of ZoomLock press fittings and traditional braze fittings |
On thermostats, Dominic splits his residential recommendations between two reliable platforms: the Honeywell T-Pro Series and the Ecobee Lite. “My go-to thermostat(s) would have to be any of the Honeywell T-Series thermostats or the Ecobee Lite,” he says. Both give straightforward, contractor-friendly installs without locking a homeowner into a complicated app ecosystem.
For filtration, Dominic lands on a familiar middle ground. “My recommendation will always be a MERV 11 filter, it is perfectly in the middle in regards to filtering and doesn’t cause too high of restrictions for return air coming back to a ducted system,” he explains. The Air Filters for Furnace and AC category carries MERV 11 options across common nominal sizes for technicians stocking up before filter-change season.
On line sets, Dominic doesn’t hesitate. “I am currently running the Mueller Streamline Duraguard UV, best line set on the market today,” he says, pointing to the UV-resistant insulation that holds up on exposed outdoor runs better than standard wrap. The full Mueller Streamline catalog on SupplyHouse covers both mini-split and standard line set configurations in that insulation.
For fittings, Dominic keeps options open. “I am always carrying my Fieldpiece SMAN’s everywhere I go, and for fittings it has to be a mix of both, some zoomlock and some braze fittings,” he says. The ZoomLock Refrigerant Fittings category covers the press-to-connect side of that mix for jobs where an open flame isn’t practical or allowed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the TradeMaster Spotlight series?
The TradeMaster Spotlight is a content series that celebrates the people behind the trades by highlighting the stories of SupplyHouse TradeMaster members. Each feature shares a member’s journey into the industry, their passion for the work, and the tools and products they trust most, giving our community a closer look at the professionals who make the trades thrive.
Why does Dominic recommend a MERV 11 filter over a higher rating?
Higher MERV ratings capture finer particles but also increase static pressure on the blower. MERV 11 captures most household allergens and dust without restricting airflow enough to strain a standard residential ducted system.
What makes Duraguard UV insulation different from standard line set wrap?
Duraguard UV insulation uses a coated elastomeric jacket built to resist sun and weather exposure, which matters most on exposed outdoor line set runs that take direct sunlight for years without replacement.
Why carry both ZoomLock and braze fittings instead of picking one?
ZoomLock press fittings make sense for tight spaces, occupied buildings, or jobs where an open flame creates a hazard or requires a hot-work permit. Braze fittings remain the standard for many new installs and larger commercial runs. Carrying both means the fitting method fits the job site instead of forcing one method everywhere.
What is a True RMS clamp meter, and why does it matter for HVAC work?
True RMS meters calculate current and voltage accurately even on the non-sinusoidal waveforms produced by variable-speed compressors, ECM blower motors, and other modern HVAC electronics. A standard averaging meter can show a misleading reading on this kind of equipment.
What is included the Fieldpiece SM482V manifold?
The SM482V ships with the four-port digital manifold and built-in micron gauge, a hanging and magnetic strap, and batteries with a user guide. It supports superheat and subcooling calculations and Job Link wireless compatibility when paired with compatible probes.
How does a four-port refrigerant manifold help on a service call?
A four-port layout adds a dedicated vacuum and charge port alongside the standard high and low ports, which lets a technician evacuate, charge, and diagnose a system without disconnecting and reconnecting hoses mid-job.
The People Behind the Trade
Trade professionals who haven’t joined TradeMaster yet can sign up for free in just a few minutes through the TradeMaster Application. Members enjoy lower prices, free shipping, free returns, and access to a dedicated support team and phone line. They also get the chance to be featured in a future TradeMaster Spotlight. To be considered for an upcoming TradeMaster Spotlight, complete the TradeMaster Spotlight Application.
