(Representative or Senator Name)
As a member of the Iowa Geothermal Association we need your help on enacting legislation for local geothermal installs. We had bills introduced in both chambers that did not make it thru the first funnel but that we continue to work with Sen. Danielson and Sen. Feenstra, as well as Rep. Quirk and Rep. Taylor to get language added to either one of the "live" bills that are moving or the standings bill at the end. Please encourage the legislators we're working with to work aggressively to get the language added to some bill.
At the present time for a geothermal contractor to install a system in you home, he would need at a minimum a plumbing, electrical, hydronics, and contractor licenses. However, the knowledge to install a geothermal system is not taught in any of the present programs. We are working on a special geothermal endorsement so the local contractor can carry only one license. The following is proposed wording to be added to a bill:
A person shall not operate as a contractor or install, alter, repair, maintain, relocate or replace a geothermal heat pump system without obtaining a special, restricted license issued by the board.
Such special, restricted license shall require certification pursuant to industry accredited installer certification standards recognized by the United States department of energy and such other qualifications as determined by the board.
For purposes of this paragraph, “geothermal heat pump system” means the geothermal earth loop subsystem and the geothermal heat pump subsystem. "Geothermal earth loop subsystem" includes the loop pipe, hose kit, loop fluid and circulator pumps including the connection to the geothermal unit, and all related miscellaneous fittings necessary to complete the earth loop, unless the piping system changes material once inside the building. "Geothermal heat pump subsystem" includes the geothermal heat pump, internal auxiliary heater, low voltage wiring, thermostat, wiring to circulator pumps, and desuperheater piping up to the point where connection is made to the potable water system by a licensed plumber, unless the piping system changes material once inside the building. "Geothermal heat pump system" does not include the geothermal heat distribution subsystem.
The intent of this license is for the smaller contractors that are “design build” systems such as single family dwellings. The larger commercial installs would require the additional licenses anyway due to the system designs.
Iowa has been a leader in the nation in geothermal installs and we want to continue on that path. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
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