HVAC electrical work

AN ACT Relating to allowing HVAC/refrigeration electricians to 1
perform certain electrical work on ductless mini-split HVAC systems; 2
adding a new section to chapter 19.28 RCW; and creating a new 3
section. 4
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:5
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that the 6
installation of ductless mini-split systems has increased across the 7
state as more customers look toward these systems for inexpensive, 8
zonal heating and cooling. Energy codes and other laws pushing for 9
more electrification of homes are also driving the move towards these 10
HVAC systems. The legislature further finds that HVAC/refrigeration 11
specialty electricians are trained and can safely connect the indoor 12
units to the installed outdoor units in residential and multifamily 13
homes, as the circuits are specified by the manufacturer, the type of 14
cable used is standardized by manufacturers, and the terminals on 15
both ends are coded. This is more cost-effective for consumers and 16
efficient for home builders. It is also important to allow specialty 17
electricians to do this type of work since there currently is a 18
shortage of certified electricians in the state. The legislature 19
therefore intends to update the scope of work for HVAC/refrigeration 20
specialty electricians to allow them to install, repair, replace, or 21
H-0217.1
HOUSE BILL 1681
State of Washington 69th Legislature 2025 Regular Session
By Representatives Klicker, Engell, Schmidt, Jacobsen, Connors,
Eslick, Scott, and Ryu
Read first time 01/29/25. Referred to Committee on Labor & Workplace
Standards.
p. 1 HB 1681
maintain branch circuits from the outdoor unit to the indoor unit or 1
units of a split ductless HVAC system in residential and multifamily 2
homes and other appropriate construction classifications designated 3
by the department of labor and industries. 4
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 19.28 5
RCW to read as follows: 6
(1) The scope of work for the HVAC/refrigeration specialty or 7
specialties involves installing, repairing, replacing, or maintaining 8
HVAC/refrigeration systems and related equipment as specified by 9
rules adopted by the department under this chapter.10
(2) In addition to the scope of work specified in rules as 11
provided under subsection (1) of this section, for ductless mini-12
split HVAC/refrigeration systems installed for one and two-family 13
dwellings, multifamily dwellings of types III, IV, or V construction 14
when there are not more than six stories of multifamily dwellings of 15
types III, IV, or V construction above grade or above types I or II 16
construction or installed for other than residential occupancies that 17
have no more than three stories on or above grade, and other 18
construction types so designated by the department, the scope of work 19
for specialties under this section must include the installation, 20
repair, replacement, and maintenance of the following:21
(a) Single phase circuits not exceeding 250 volts or 20 amps when 22
those circuits are supplied from supplementary overcurrent devices in 23
outdoor compressor or condenser units and distribution controllers of 24
mini-split HVAC/refrigeration systems; 25
(b) Wiring for condensate pumps connected to single phase branch 26
circuits under (a) of this subsection when wiring is connected in 27
accordance with the manufacturer's instructions for the mini-split 28
HVAC/refrigeration system; 29
(c) Disconnect switches and device, pull, and junction boxes, 30
conduit bodies, and fittings when used for single phase circuits 31
allowed under (a) of this subsection; and 32
(d) Raceway or conduit systems for single phase branch circuits 33
allowed under this section when the raceway or conduit system is 34
installed outside of a building or when the raceway or conduit system 35
is no more than six feet in length when connected to equipment 36
located indoors. 37
(3) In order for work to be covered by subsection (2)(a) through 38
(d) of this section, the HVAC/refrigeration equipment installed must 39
p. 2 HB 1681
be certified for use as a system by an electrical product testing 1
laboratory accredited by the department, and the manufacturer's 2
instructions provided for the system must include specifications for 3
type and size of wiring between outdoor compressor and condenser 4
units, distribution controllers, and indoor evaporators.5
(4) This section does not modify or limit the department's 6
authority to modify the scope of work for specialties under this 7
section, provided that the scope of work does not exclude those 8
specialties from conducting the work described in subsection (2) of 9
this section. 10
--- END ---
p. 3 HB 1681