The plumbing industry is undergoing significant changes, driven by technological advancements, environmental concerns, and shifting consumer preferences. These plumbing industry trends are reshaping how professionals approach their work and how businesses operate in this essential sector.
As we explore the latest developments, it’s clear that staying ahead of these trends is crucial for plumbing professionals and business owners alike. From smart home integrations to eco-friendly solutions, the landscape is evolving rapidly, presenting both challenges and opportunities. One significant shift in recent years has been the growing emphasis on water conservation and sustainability.
Plumbing Industry Trends
Growth of the Plumbing Market in 2025
- The estimated market size for plumbers in the US industry in 2025 is projected to be $130 billion.
- The plumbing industry is regaining footing after a decline in 2023 and is expected to grow over the next five years.
- Despite a decline at a CAGR of 2.1% between 2019 and 2024, increasing demand for plumbing services points towards a favorable growth trend.
- The industry is expected to experience increased growth opportunities driven by new market trends and evolving consumer needs.
Increasing Demand for Smart Plumbing Technology
- The market for energy-efficient tankless water heaters, valued at $3.68 billion in 2022, is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 8.7% from 2023 to 2029.
- The anticipated annual growth rate for smart toilets is projected to reach 10.3%, aiming for a market value of $12.7 billion by 2025.
- AI and IoT integration in plumbing systems enhances leak detection and water management capabilities, resulting in improved system efficiency.
- 48.2% of homeowners would like automatic faucets, indicating a strong demand for touchless fixtures.
- 43.1% of homeowners desire smart toilets, showcasing the growing interest in advanced bathroom fixtures.
Water Conservation and Eco-Friendly Solutions
- Consumer interest in eco-friendly plumbing products is rising, signaling a shift towards sustainable choices in home appliances.
- Plumbers have the opportunity to educate customers about greywater systems as part of water conservation efforts.
- Offering sustainable services is a key strategy plumbers are adopting to work towards conserving more water.
- Today’s environmentally conscious consumers want to reduce water consumption and save on utility bills.
Advances in Plumbing Materials and Techniques
- The use of PVC pipes in plumbing projects is projected to grow significantly, increasing from 51% to 70%.
- Eco-friendly materials, such as recycled metals and sustainable plastics, are gaining traction in plumbing fixture production.
- The use of PEX piping is gaining popularity due to its resistance to corrosion and ease of installation.
Smart Plumbing Fixtures are on the Rise
The plumbing industry is seeing a huge demand for smart plumbing fixtures in the plumbing market, changing how we interact with our plumbing systems remotely.
These smart fixtures include:
- Smart toilets
- Bluetooth shower heads
- Touchless digital faucets
- Smart water heaters
These fixtures have extra functionality and user convenience. Many homeowners are buying smart for convenience but also for environmental benefits like water saving and leak alerts.
Plumbing professionals need to get with the times to meet customer demand and stay competitive.
Smart Bathroom Revenue Growth in North America
North America is a big chunk of the global smart bathroom market, with almost 50% of the revenue coming from this region. This is driven by the growing demand for advanced plumbing fixtures that increase user experience and water saving.
Plumbing businesses in North America should get in on this growing market by offering smart plumbing fixtures like smart toilets and touchless faucets to meet their customers changing needs.
WiFi Water Filtration Systems
WiFi enabled water filtration systems are becoming a consumer favourite for those who value water quality and convenience. These systems allow homeowners to monitor and control their water quality remotely so they always have clean and safe water.
This ties in with the broader smart home trend, providing real time data and alerts to help users manage their plumbing systems. Plumbing businesses offering these solutions will attract tech savvy customers looking for the latest in water filtration technology.
Sustainability and Water Saving Trends
Sustainability is big in the plumbing sector with a growing emphasis on water-efficient fixtures and greywater systems. High-efficiency toilets, low-flow showerheads, and other eco-friendly plumbing solutions reduce water consumption and promote sustainable living.
Modern plumbing technology allows homeowners to save a lot of water and contribute to environmental conservation. With new environmental regulations coming in, the demand for water-saving fixtures and systems will grow.
High Efficiency Toilets
High efficiency toilets have made a big impact on water conservation, saving billions of gallons of water in the US each year. They reduce overall municipal water demand and wastewater treatment costs, making them a favourite among eco conscious consumers.
As regulations tighten up, the adoption of high efficiency toilets will increase, further increasing water efficiency and sustainability in the plumbing industry.
Greywater Systems
Greywater recycling systems are gaining popularity as consumers look for ways to reuse wastewater for irrigation and toilet flushing. These waste management systems reduce freshwater consumption, which ties in with the water saving trend.
Showers and toilets are the biggest water users in American homes, so greywater recycling is an obvious solution to reduce water consumption and utility bills.
Labour Shortages and Workforce Development
The plumbing industry is facing huge labour shortages, with a big chunk of the workforce retiring and younger generations not interested in trade skills. This is compounded by the need for ongoing training and adoption of new technology.
The industry needs to focus on workforce development to address these issues, including attracting new talent and building a strong company culture to retain skilled labour. Investing in software that automates busywork can also show you care about your employees and efficiency.
Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships are key to bridging the skills gap in the plumbing industry, providing hands on training and diversity in the workforce. Plumbing manufacturers and retailers can support this by training on new products and technology.
A skilled and diverse workforce drives innovation and customer responsiveness, so apprenticeships are part of workforce development.
Women in Plumbing
Women are entering the plumbing industry in increasing numbers, thanks to initiatives and funding to encourage them. In 2010 women made up only 2.5% of plumbers in the US, so there is still work to be done to promote diversity.
Supporting women through apprenticeships and other training programs will create a more diverse and innovative workforce.
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Plumbing Technology
Technology is changing the plumbing industry, making systems more efficient and user friendly. Smart plumbing is being applied to various plumbing tasks, such as inspecting drain systems and water conservation. New materials in plumbing like flexible cross linked polyethylene and corrosion resistant materials are also part of this change.
Plus the demand for prefabricated plumbing systems is growing, with benefits like reduced labour and faster installation.
Prefabricated Plumbing Systems
Prefabricated plumbing systems are becoming more popular due to their efficiency and cost savings. These systems can reduce installation time and labour costs by allowing multiple project phases to happen at the same time. Built in factories, prefabricated plumbing modules have better quality control and faster installation than traditional methods.
This is changing the plumbing industry, a more streamlined approach to plumbing projects and current plumbing trends and industry trends.
Diagnostic Tools
Diagnostic tools are key to preventive maintenance in the plumbing industry. These tools allow for early detection of plumbing issues, preventing costly repairs and system failures. Automated diagnostic tools provide real time data analysis and remote monitoring, better service and customer satisfaction.
As technology advances these will become more important for plumbers.
Regulatory Changes and Their Effect
Recent regulatory changes in the plumbing industry are changing how we work, with new rules around water reduction and sustainable plumbing solutions. Stay up to date with these changes so your business can comply and take advantage of government incentives.
Changes in training, licensing and optional certifications are also happening, so professionals need to stay current with the changing standards.
Environmental Regulations
Environmental regulations are key to sustainability and water reduction in the plumbing industry. The EPA’s Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) aim to improve drinking water quality and reduce lead exposure. These regulations require stricter standards for plumbing fixtures and materials for water conservation and safety.
Compliance is critical for plumbers to avoid penalties and to be sustainable.
Compliance for Plumbers
Plumbers need to adopt up to date installation standards and testing protocols to comply with current codes. Stay up to date with regulatory changes and best practice to help you navigate the changing landscape and deliver high service.
Compliance helps plumbing businesses build a reputation for reliability and sustainability, so they attract environmentally conscious customers.
Changing Customer Expectations
Customer expectations in the plumbing industry are changing, with more demand for innovative and eco-friendly plumbing services. Consumers are more aware of their water usage and carbon footprint so they are influencing their plumbing choices.
To meet these needs plumbing businesses are expanding their service offerings to include:
- Water heater installation
- Bathroom renovations
- HVAC
- Water treatment solutions
This diversification will attract new customers and keep you competitive.
Personalised Customer Service
Providing personalised customer service allows plumbing businesses to meet the customer’s needs. Social media allows companies to engage with customers actively, offer services and respond to queries quickly. A personalised experience leads to memorable interactions and more referrals, so you can build a loyal customer base.
Online Reviews and Reputation Management
Managing online reviews and reputation is critical for plumbers to attract and retain customers. Most consumers check reviews about local businesses before hiring so positive feedback is key. Respond to negative reviews and keep a flow of recent feedback to influence consumer perception and build trust.
By having an online presence plumbers can increase their credibility and competitiveness.
Plumbing Service Diversification
Plumbers are diversifying their services to meet changing customer demand and get ahead of the competition. By adding HVAC units, water treatment systems, landscape sprinkler systems, and tankless water heaters to their offerings, they can attract more customers and more revenue streams.
Focusing on sustainable services that are water reduction based will also help you stand out in the market. By looking for new opportunities plumbers can adapt to changing trends and customer needs.
HVAC Integration
HVAC integration with plumbing is a growing trend, so plumbers can create new revenue streams and add to their services. This diversification can be tricky, requires special training and may add complexity to the business.
But by assessing workforce and customer demand plumbers can navigate this change and deliver more customer service. Integrating HVAC with plumbing will be a complete solution for homeowners so it’s a valuable addition to any plumbers portfolio.
Water Treatment Solutions
As consumers become more aware of water quality there is a big growing demand for water treatment solutions. Plumbers can expand their offerings by including advanced water treatment systems, including WiFi enabled water filtration systems that allow users to monitor and control water quality remotely. This meets customer demand and makes you more competitive by offering a full service.
Eco friendly plumbing solutions and water efficient fixtures will also appeal to environmentally conscious customers.
Digital Marketing for Plumbers
In the digital age marketing strategies are key for plumbers to get ahead. Digital marketing allows plumbers to reach more customers than traditional methods. 86% of consumers check reviews for local businesses before hiring so managing online reputation and engaging with customers through digital channels is critical.
Go mobile first and use digital tools to increase visibility and attract more customers.
You should check out our exclusive guide on plumbing marketing. We bet, you’ll find immense value.
Social Media
Social media is a powerful tool for plumbers to increase brand visibility and engage with potential customers. Rich visual content such as before and after photos of jobs will increase engagement and shareability. Interactive posts, polls and direct customer feedback will help build a stronger relationship with the audience.
Having a regular posting schedule and responding to queries will keep social media alive and drive customer loyalty.
SEO and Content Marketing
SEO and content marketing is critical to improve a plumbers website search engine ranking and get organic traffic. Long form content such as blog posts and guides will provide valuable information to customers and increase visibility on search engines. Blogging will educate customers and generate leads by improving the site’s search engine optimisation.
So implement SEO strategies and get ahead.
This digital-first approach is reflected in some striking statistics: And the thing is that this applies to the plumbing industry.
- 76% of smartphone users who search for an item nearby visit a business within a day
- 28% of local searches lead to a purchase
- 64% more searches are conducted on mobile devices in the US
Conclusion
2024 is a big year for the plumbing industry. From smart plumbing fixtures and sustainability to labour shortages and technology, plumbers need to stay informed and adaptable. Regulatory changes and changing customer expectations means continuous improvement and diversification of services. By using digital marketing plumbers can increase visibility and attract more customers. Be ahead of these trends and plumbers will be competitive and successful.
FAQs
What are the popular smart plumbing fixtures in 2024?
In 2024 smart toilets, Bluetooth shower heads, touchless digital faucets and smart water heaters are the way to go. Get these fixtures and upgrade your home’s efficiency and comfort!
How big is North America’s share of the global smart bathroom market?
North America is a major player in the global smart bathroom market, 47.9% of the revenue. That’s a big chunk!
What are the benefits of WiFi enabled water filtration systems?
WiFi enabled water filtration systems means you can monitor and control your water quality from anywhere, so it’s always safe and clean. Take control of your health and have peace of mind with real time updates!
How much water has been saved by using low flow toilets in the US?
Low flow toilets have saved 757 billion gallons of water in the US each year! Switching is an easy way to be water wise and make a difference.
Why do plumbers need to manage their reviews?
86% of consumers use reviews when choosing a service. Positive reviews will increase your reputation and attract more customers, so get in control of your online.