NAICS 221330

Overview

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) is the framework used by U.S. federal statistical programs to classify business establishments for economic data collection and reporting. Developed by the Office of Management and Budget with Canada and Mexico and adopted in 1997, NAICS is updated on a five-year cycle; the current vintage is 2022. ¹

NAICS 221330 covers establishments whose primary activity is providing steam, heated air, or cooled air; steam distribution may occur through mains. Federal statistical programs use this industry to tabulate utility-sector activity distinct from electricity, gas, water supply, and sewage treatment. ²

See also on G2X:

• G2X — NAICS 221330 overview
• G2X — NAICS 221310
• G2X — NAICS 221320

What this NAICS covers

• Provision of steam to customers (e.g., from central plants). ²
• Provision of heated air to customers. ²
• Provision of cooled air to customers. ²
• Distribution of steam through mains. ²
• Utility operations primarily organized to deliver steam/heated/cooled air rather than electricity, gas, water, or sewage services. ²
• Reporting of this activity as part of the Utilities sector (Sector 22) in federal economic statistics. ²

Related NAICS and PSC codes

Type	Code	Descriptor
NAICS	221330	Steam and Air-Conditioning Supply
NAICS	221210	Natural Gas Distribution
NAICS	221310	Water Supply and Irrigation Systems
NAICS	221320	Sewage Treatment Facilities

Exclusions and adjacent industries

• Natural gas distribution is classified under NAICS 221210, not steam/air-conditioning supply. ³
• Long-distance pipeline transportation of natural gas is classified in NAICS 486210, not in the Utilities distribution or steam supply industries. ⁴
• Sewage collection and treatment activities are in NAICS 221320, not steam or air-conditioning supply. ⁵
• HVAC installation/servicing work (contracting trades) is classified in NAICS 238220, rather than NAICS 221330. ⁶

Data publication notes for Utilities (Sector 22)

The Economic Census disseminates Utilities sector data (Sector 22) using the 2022 NAICS vintage, including industry-level tables that encompass NAICS 221330. Comparative and bridge statistics facilitate analysis across 2017 and 2022 vintages during the transition period. ⁸

Frequently asked questions

• What work fits under NAICS 221330?

  Establishments primarily engaged in providing steam, heated air, or cooled air are included. The official description also notes that steam may be distributed through mains, capturing central steam or chilled/heated air service models. ²

• How is industry assignment determined for steam/air-conditioning providers?

  NAICS groups establishments by similarity of production processes. If the primary activity is producing and supplying steam/heated/cooled air to others (rather than installing equipment), NAICS 221330 applies. If the primary activity is installation or service, see trade contractor classifications instead. ⁷

• How does NAICS 221330 differ from NAICS 238220?

  NAICS 238220 covers installing and servicing plumbing, heating, and air-conditioning equipment as a construction trade. NAICS 221330 covers supplying steam/heated/cooled air as a utility service. ⁶

• When will federal data series use the 2022 NAICS vintage for NAICS 221330?

  The Census Bureau began disseminating 2022-vintage NAICS data with the 2022 Economic Census “First Look” in January 2024 and plans to transition remaining NAICS-based programs by the end of 2027, with specified exceptions. ¹

• Is there an official PSC crosswalk specifically for NAICS 221330?

  Not specified by official sources. ²

Useful resources

• G2X — NAICS 221330 overview
• Census: Implementation of the 2022 NAICS vintage and transition timeline. ¹
• Census: Sector 22 (Utilities) data pages for 2022 Economic Census. ⁸
• Census: NAICS understanding and structure overview. ⁷
• Census: Sector 22 description including the NAICS 221330 industry definition. ²

References

1. U.S. Census Bureau. The Census Bureau’s Implementation of the 2022 NAICS. https://www.census.gov/library/reference/code-lists/naics/2022/implementation-timeline.html
2. U.S. Census Bureau. NAICS Sector 22 (Utilities) — includes industry text for 221330. https://www.census.gov/naics/resources/archives/sect22.html
3. U.S. Census Bureau. NAICS 221210 Natural Gas Distribution (Sector 22 page excerpt). https://www.census.gov/naics/resources/archives/sect22.html
4. U.S. Census Bureau. NAICS 486210 Pipeline Transportation of Natural Gas. https://www.census.gov/naics/resources/archives/sect48-49.html
5. U.S. Census Bureau. Waste Management and Remediation Services cross-references to 221320. https://www.census.gov/naics/resources/archives/sect56.html
6. U.S. Census Bureau. NAICS 238220 Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors. https://www2.census.gov/econ2007/Reference_materials/htm%20files/2382200.htm
7. U.S. Census Bureau. Economic Census: NAICS Codes & Understanding Industry Classification Systems. https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/economic-census/guidance/understanding-naics.html
8. U.S. Census Bureau. 2022 NAICS Sector 22 — Utilities (Economic Census data page). https://www.census.gov/data/tables/2022/econ/economic-census/naics-sector-22.html