For the purposes of sections 386.752 to 386.764, the following terms mean:

1. (1) "Affiliate", any entity not regulated by the public service commission which is owned, controlled by, or under common control with a utility and is engaged in HVAC services;
2. (2) "HVAC services", the warranty, sale, lease, rental, installation, construction, modernization, retrofit, maintenance or repair of heating, ventilating and air conditioning equipment;
3. (3) "Utility", an electrical corporation, gas corporation or heating company, as defined in section 386.020;
4. (4) "Utility contractor", a person, including an individual, corporation, firm, incorporated or unincorporated association or other business or legal entity, that contracts, whether in writing or not in writing, with a utility to engage in or assist any entity in engaging in HVAC services, but does not include employees of a utility.

(L. 1998 H.B. 1038, A.L. 2025 S.B. 4)