Since ancient times, plumbing has ensured people have access to clean water for drinking, cooking, bathing and much more. Plumbers play a vital role in protecting the health of their communities and perform an essential job. I love plumbing because you can take pride in what you do – solve problems and help people live a better life.
I am often asked, “What does it take to be a great plumber?”
Plumbers today are entrepreneurs, business owners and community influencers. The role of a service technician typically involves a combination of formal instruction, on-the-job training and ongoing education. The commitment to learning is what sets a great plumber apart from a good one.
As technology advances, continuing education becomes increasingly important for new and seasoned plumbers. Training sessions offer individuals valuable insights that will further enhance their job performance. As plumbers gain additional knowledge, they can diagnose and solve problems more efficiently, which leads to fewer callbacks and greater customer satisfaction.
Emphasis on education for new technologies
Customers today are more informed than ever before. They have a wealth of knowledge at their fingertips and research before they buy. With the rise of the smart, connected technologies, they are paying closer attention to almost every facet of their dwelling space and becoming more aware of their options.
As these systems become more widely available, consumers are implementing new technologies in their homes. Once these products are installed, homeowners can monitor and take control of their water heaters. They can track performance and receive alerts if things aren’t working correctly. They are also able to control the temperature of their system or shut off their water from a smartphone. As the products continue to advance, it is critical to stay current through ongoing and in-depth training.
Growth of heat pump water heaters
We have also seen a significant need for continuing education on heat pump water heaters, especially with upcoming federal regulations driving demand.
One of the first steps I take with heat pumps is ensuring plumbers clearly understand how they work and how they can positively impact their business. A heat pump water heater is a water heater with “only a heat pump” on the unit. There are no electric-resistant elements; therefore, it’s not a hybrid. Units such as the Rheem ProTerra Plug-in are designed for gas replacements or homes where 30 amps aren’t available.
Heat pump water heaters are designed to make gas replacement easy and are typically a “one trade” install. In many cases, installers won’t need to get an electrician involved to go from a gas unit to an electric unit.
Heat pump water heaters are an excellent solution for end-users and an ideal product for plumbing contractors to add to their portfolio. The education starts with awareness and then understanding the product to ensure plumbing contractors feel comfortable offering it to their customers. I often hear from contractors how excited they are to know more about the product and what it can do for their business.
Rheem is supporting training programs to help increase understanding of regulatory changes for heat pump water heaters as part of our compliance and sustainability initiatives. As eco-friendly products gain popularity in markets nationwide, we train thousands of plumbers annually on heat pump water heaters. Learning about heat pump water heaters before the market takes off also helps to differentiate plumbing companies from competitors in their local area and grow their business.
Continued commitment to training
Another key to growth as a plumbing contractor is to gain knowledge about an array of products and understand the technology driving them. We want to instill confidence and make them aware of the value proposition for customers. This way, they can sell, install and provide service while having meaningful conversations throughout the process.
Rheem is committed to nurturing plumbers’ skill sets. This includes offering a variety of free resources that cater to different learning preferences. We support our contractor partners by providing easy access to literature, articles, spec sheets and instructional videos, as well as instructor-led digital courses and live in-person training.
At the heart of Rheem’s training efforts are 23 worldwide Innovation Learning Centers (ILCs). These advanced learning hubs are designed to offer immersive, hands-on experiences. The collaborative spaces provide plumbers, contractors and distributors opportunities to work with cutting-edge technology through classes, workshops and other events. They also allow us to gain insights and tailor to regional markets.
Our ILC in Roswell, Georgia, hosts industry professionals from across the country. At this flagship facility, our master plumbers and experts provide workshops and interactive trainings. For those who prefer to be on-site, we offer sessions at their place of business. Ultimately, opportunities like these improve the customer experience for both Rheem and the plumber. For more in-depth details on training available, Rheem Academy serves as a comprehensive hub, offering courses tailored to industry professionals.
Plumbing has evolved since ancient times to present day, showing remarkable advances through time. Despite all these transformations, the adaptability of plumbers remains constant. As long as there are technological advancements, shifting consumer expectations and the adoption of more energy-efficient solutions, there will be change. Those who prioritize learning, adopt a growth mindset and proactively prepare for a smooth transition will be ahead of that change and set up for success.
Master plumber Tom McConahay is the national plumber support manager for Rheem. McConahay started as an apprentice shortly after he got out of the service in 1993, and eventually went into business for himself in 2001. In 2016, McConahay took his talents to Rheem to help plumbers become more efficient and better prepared through education, training, and building strong relationships.
