Disrupting The Trades: How Technology Is Transforming The Future

Disrupting The Trades: How Technology Is Transforming The Future

by Jim Olsztynski | May 17, 2018 | Technology in the Trades | 0 Comments

Products like the Nest thermostat and smart home systems make it easy to see how technology has changed the residential services industry. Electricians and HVAC technicians are servicing equipment that didn’t exist in homes even five years ago! Plumbers make up a part of the trades, as well. Has technology made dramatic changes in what they do, too?

Absolutely. It’s common today for something as simple as a new kitchen sink faucet to feature motion sensors or even touch-free operation. The knowledge and expertise it takes to be a plumber is changing rapidly—just as much as it has for other professionals in the trades. It’s this constant infusion of technology that’s adding value to these jobs. Let’s stick with how technology is changing what plumbers do.

Going Green

Today’s homes feature appliances that use less water and energy than their predecessors. New dishwashers, for example, can recycle rinse water to use during the wash cycle. This can save a household about 700 gallons of water annually.

Tankless water heaters are growing in demand because they are at least 20% more efficient than a standard. And while they’re more expensive to purchase, a tankless water heater has a much longer lifespan.

Like the touchless kitchen sink faucets, new home appliances installed and serviced by plumbers require an upgrade in training. Plumbers who specialize in the installation and maintenance of energy-saving appliances are seeing an uptick in job offers.

More Health, More Luxury

Spa-like showers are no longer just for the well-to-do. Luxury showerheads are one of the most commonly requested upgrades made by homeowners, and it’s often necessary to modify plumbing for installation.. This can also be the case with touchless faucets, which may also need to be tied to a power source.

The quest for health has also created a demand for specialized equipment. Homeowners are turning to  residential plumbing companies for help in installing water processers like reverse osmosis filtration systems and water softeners.

Many of these new systems allow you to pair the equipment with an app on your smartphone. As the homeowner, you receive notifications about the equipment performance and know when to schedule maintenance. , With the integration of technology, plumbers will often assist homeowners in setting up their mobile devices to “talk” to an appliance. Service calls have most definitely changed!

Upgraded Tools of the Trade

Technology advancements have also made it easier for plumbers to do their job. Guesswork about where a pipe is clogged has been replaced by camera inspection equipment that ensures amazing accuracy in diagnosing the problem. Said equipment can even be operated by laptops or mobile devices!

One of the most dramatic changes has been the adoption of trenchless repair methods, which prevents plumbers from having to dig up a homeowner’s yard to repair or install pipes. It saves a lot of physical work for the plumberand it has created dramatic savings for homeowners because they don’t have to pay to restore their landscaping.

Technology is transforming our homes. We can tell Alexa to turn on the lights, the kitchen sink can shut off with just a tap and our smartphone can turn off the lawn sprinklers when the forecast calls for rain.

This same technology has also transformed the responsibilities of plumbers, electricians, and HVAC technicians. They’re becoming even more indispensable—and valuable—as we look to them to be the experts who help us keep our technology-assisted homes running smoothly.

As a result, the demand for trades professionals is growing. The job growth outlook is increasing at twice the rate of other industries, while the cost to prepare for a job in the trades averages $65,000 less than the cost of a four-year college degree. Learn more about how you can fast track your way into a job as a plumber, electrician, or HVAC tech here.