JB Warranties December 2025 Round-Up

As the holidays wrap up and the decorations come down, the new year is already bringing plenty to keep an eye on. From upcoming events and educational opportunities to water quality reforms and next-gen rooftop heat pump technology, there’s a lot taking shape across the trades. If January feels like it’s moving fast, you’re not imagining it. Let’s get you up to speed!

In our November Round-Up, we dug into the latest Jobber Home Service Economic Report, explored rising demand for energy-efficient housing, highlighted the first AI-powered smart glasses designed for the trades, and celebrated the winners of the annual Good Housekeeping Awards. Now, it’s time to see what December had in store — and what’s shaping the year ahead.

1. The Nationwide “Season of Giving” Wraps Up 

Before jumping into 2026, it’s worth reflecting on the 2025 season of giving. Between large national brands and small family-owned businesses, HVAC and plumbing companies came together to support local communities across the country throughout the holidays. JB Warranties was proud to partner with Shearer Supply, Inc. to donate bicycles to the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation.

Over in Memphis, TN, American Residential Service (ARS)/Rescue Rooter continued its tradition of giving back through the ARS Cares program. Community heroes, including first responders, healthcare professionals, military veterans, and teachers, were honored nationwide. More than 45 nominated families received a new HVAC system or water heater just in time for the holidays.

Further south in Orlando, FL, Del-Air Plumbing, Air Conditioning, and Electric saw one of the strongest participation years yet in The JOY FM’s annual T-Shirts for Turkeys campaign. The radio station reported a 26% increase in donations compared to 2024, supporting 40 food banks and helping provide meals for an estimated 300,000 families and individuals in need across Florida.

Out west in Sacramento, CA, Mr. Drain Plumbing wrapped up its inaugural Flush Away Hunger canned food drive, benefiting the Orangevale–Fair Oaks Food Bank. To thank customers for their generosity, those who donated four or more items received a 10% off coupon toward a future plumbing service — a positive note to close the year on and an even better way to start the next.

2. Registration Opens for New Q1 2026 BDR Courses

Speaking of starting the new year right, investing in training is one way contractors are setting themselves up for success in 2026. BDR University (BDRU) has opened registration for its first-quarter course lineup, featuring five new interactive sessions designed for HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and other home services teams focused on skills that support smarter operations.

“The start of a new year is the ideal time for business owners and their teams to build momentum and set the foundation for exceeding their annual goals,” explained Matt MacArthur, Senior Vice President of Training and Marketing at BDR. “Our upcoming classes bring together field-tested strategies, real-world insights, and actionable tools that drive results for contractors at every level.”

Here’s a look at what’s on the Q1 schedule:

• Top Gun Technician Excellence(Jan. 22–23): Helps technicians improve customer service, reduce callbacks, and increase overall value to the business.
• Top Gun Sales Excellence(Feb. 5–6): Refreshes proven sales processes to close more jobs through education, not pressure.
• Generating Work: Practical Strategies to Get More Leads(Feb. 17): Covers low-cost, high-impact marketing tactics to fill service and install schedules.
• Service Dispatch University(Mar. 2–6): Teaches dispatchers how to cut drive time and improve service department profitability.

Registration for these and other Q1 courses is open now, so act fast!  

3. Preparation Begins for the Catalyst 2026 Conference 

The biggest lessons happen when contractors compare notes. That’s the idea behind Catalyst 2026, the annual conference hosted by Quality Service Contractors, a subgroup of the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors National Association (PHCC). The event takes place March 23–25, 2026, at the Omni Oklahoma City Hotel, bringing service and repair contractors together for three days of learning and connection.

Catalyst is designed as a hands-on hub for owners, managers, and industry professionals. Attendees will take part in engaging workshops, expert-led sessions, and peer roundtables focused on accountability, prioritization, time management, and strategies to better utilize their resources. The emphasis is on real-world takeaways that help teams run more efficiently and make smarter decisions back home.

There’s also plenty of time built in to connect outside the classroom. Shared meals and social events, including an evening at the Cowboy Museum and dinners at local spots like Cattlemen’s Steakhouse, help spark conversations that continue long after the conference. A keynote from leadership coach Matthew Smiley, former special teams coordinator for the Buffalo Bills, will offer motivation for the road ahead.

Registration is now open, with discounts available for PHCC and QSC members.

4. Pennsylvania Lawmakers Push for Water Quality Reform

Shifting from training and events to policy, water quality is back in the spotlight. You may remember in our October Round-Up, we covered a new bill in New York aimed at reducing Legionnaires’ outbreaks. In December, Pennsylvania lawmakers took a similar step, introducing new legislation focused on prevention, accountability, and public health protections tied to water systems.

“Pennsylvania is where this disease was given its name after a large outbreak in 1976 and rates of Legionnaires’ Disease, which is preventable, have continued to increase unabated ever since. We as lawmakers have a responsibility to put the right policies in place to reduce the risks of this potentially deadly disease,” said Representative Ismail Smith-Wade-El. 

“To tackle this issue, I have introduced legislation that mandates government agencies, public water systems, and specific building owners to uphold new minimum standards aimed at improving the prevention, detection, and control of Legionnaires’ Disease.”

With cases rising more than 65% statewide over the past five years, the recently drafted House Bill 2085 outlines several proposed requirements, including:

• Public water system standards. Systems would be required to maintain minimum disinfectant levels and follow distribution system maintenance plans designed to limit Legionella growth.
• Reporting disruptions. Public water systems would need to report service disruptions to the state within 72 hours to support quicker response and oversight.
• Case investigations. Each reported case would trigger an epidemiological investigation to help identify possible sources of infection.
• Health and safety regulations. The Department of Health would adopt new rules to reduce Legionella risk, including clear customer notification requirements during potential exposure events.
• Building owner responsibilities. Certain building owners would be required to implement water management programs based on recognized safety standards.

For service and repair professionals, this kind of legislation reinforces the importance of proper maintenance, documentation, and communication, especially in residential and commercial buildings. While techs won’t be designing systems, they’re often the first to spot issues, flag concerns, and help property owners stay ahead of potential risks as regulations evolve.

5. Carrier Launches Commercial Field Trials for New Heat Pump

Rounding out the month’s updates, Carrier shared news that points to where commercial HVAC technology is headed next. As part of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Commercial Building HVAC Technology Challenge, Carrier has kicked off commercial field trials for its next-generation rooftop heat pump. The testing is underway at a large national retail site in upstate New York.

“After proving our innovation in the lab, we’re thrilled to show how it performs in operating commercial environments. Our engineering and project development teams have created a solution built to perform where it matters most,” explained Heidi Gehring, Managing Director, Light Commercial, Carrier. “These field trials are the final step before launching a high-performance product designed to strengthen U.S. commercial buildings.”

The 10-14-ton rooftop heat pump unit delivers 100% heating capacity at 5°F, more than 70% heating capacity at -10°F, and performance that meets or exceeds DOE’s commercial HVAC efficiency thresholds. Carrier’s 15-ton rooftop unit is undergoing testing at the DOE’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee and is expected to begin commercial field trials in the coming weeks.

What Will the New Year Have in Store?

Whether it’s new educational courses, industry events, or equipment hitting the field, the year ahead is already shaping up to be an interesting one. We’ll be here to keep you up to speed as it all unfolds. Happy New Year, from the JB Warranties crew to yours. Explore our industry-leading extended warranty plans to learn how, together, we can make 2026 the best year yet!