Fall is officially in full swing. National Tradespersons Day on September 19 gave us a chance to celebrate our hardworking contractors — so consider this a belated high-five from the team at JB Warranties. Now, as the season shifts from treats to tricks, the only real jump scare would be missing out on the latest HVAC and plumbing news.
Top headlines in our August Round-Up included 50% steel and aluminum tariffs across 400+ new product categories, a renewed focus on Legionnaires’ disease, and an influx of Gen Z tradeworkers. We also shared early previews from ServiceTitan’s Pantheon 2025 event, which wrapped in September. Let’s see what else happened last month.
1. Back to School with BDR and Interplay Learning
September marks back-to-school season, and this year, HVAC and plumbing pros got their own lesson plans. First, Interplay Learning announced a partnership with Modigent — an infrastructure and technology company — to launch a new Plumbing and HVAC Apprenticeship Program. Known for its 3D and virtual reality (VR) simulation training, Interplay is giving apprentices a safe way to explore systems, practice diagnostics, and build hands-on confidence.
Later in the month, Business Development Resources (BDR), a leading training and business coaching provider, introduced its fall schedule of BDR University (BDRU) courses designed for the HVAC, plumbing, and electrical industries. Upcoming courses include Top Gun Installer Excellence (Oct. 16) and Customer Experience University (Oct. 22-23).
“The fall season is a critical time of year for home service business owners and managers to invest in their teams and build on skills that will drive better results,” explains Matt MacArthur, Senior Vice President of Training and Marketing at BDR. “BDRU courses are carefully developed to provide the kind of high-value learning opportunity businesses need to drive profits and scale.”
2. Popular Field Service Management Tools Get an AI Boost
VR may be transforming how apprentices train, but out in the field, machine learning and generative AI are starting to steal the spotlight. This month, some of the most popular service management tools, including ServiceTitan and Housecall Pro, announced smart upgrades aimed at cutting down busywork and giving techs more time to focus on the job.
First, Lennox Residential HVAC launched two new AI agents — one for technicians and dealers, and another for homeowners — that can handle warranty lookups, parts searches, error code explanations, and even step-by-step troubleshooting. More than 7,000 techs have already signed on and they’ve provided positive session feedback 96% of the time.
Later in the month, Bluon and ServiceTitan joined forces to power ServiceTitan’s new Field Pro AI tool with Bluon’s deep HVAC database. The result? Instant access to diagnostic and parts information from over 200 OEMs, all in one place. Shortly after, Housecall Pro rolled out AI-powered voice invoicing that creates and sends invoices with just a few words.
If you’re interested in exploring AI-powered field service management, we know just where to start: the JB Dealer Services Marketplace! Inside, you’ll find tons of automated solutions for HVAC and plumbing pros, including an AI smart scheduler and industry-leading technician app from Sera, along with AI-boosted features from ServiceTitan and Workiz.
3. Smart Appliances Market Value Shoots to $71.28 Billion
It’s not just AI that’s taking the trades by storm. The smart appliances space is also heating up — or, should we say, connecting up. According to a new MarketsandMarkets report, the smart appliances market is estimated at $42.35 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach a whopping $71.28 billion by 2030, growing at a compound annual rate of about 11%.
In other words, smart appliances are no longer just hype. Consumers and businesses alike are embracing the promise of energy efficiency, remote control, and proactive diagnostics. As IoT, AI, and cloud connectivity continue to evolve, elements like voice assistant integration, usage-pattern analytics, and predictive maintenance are now expected.
For HVAC and plumbing pros, this trajectory has real business implications. Smart appliances often link directly with HVAC and plumbing systems (think of smart plumbing trends like smart valves or smart HVAC systems like IAQ sensors), so the demand for installers, technicians, and service support for those solutions is only going to grow.
At the same time, this shift opens doors for service contractors to add value: improving system efficiency, offering visibility into diagnostics, and supporting ongoing connectivity. The next several years could see smart appliance integration become a differentiator rather than a novelty, and that’s something wise business owners may want to lean into.
4. Colorado Offers New Financing Program for HVAC Upgrades
Speaking of shifts, Colorado homeowners just got a major boost when it comes to affording energy-efficient HVAC upgrades. The National Energy Improvement Fund (NEIF) launched its EnergyPlus for Colorado program, offering lower-interest financing for everything from new HVAC systems to insulation and other energy-saving improvements.
By making upgrades more affordable, the program helps contractors close more jobs while giving homeowners access to efficient, reliable comfort. And if you checked out our June Round-Up, you’ll know that this program couldn’t come at a better time. Federal tax incentives like the 25C Energy Efficient Home Improvement Tax Credit are at risk under the proposed One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), which passed the U.S. House this summer.
If cuts to the Inflation Reduction Act move forward, homeowners may have fewer federal options to help offset costs. Programs like NEIF’s EnergyPlus can help fill that gap, giving homeowners a path to complete upgrades and positioning contractors as trusted advisors on both efficiency and financing. Learn how to become an approved contractor.
5. Women in the Trades Look Toward the Future
A recent DEWALT survey of Chicago-based tradeswomen revealed some powerful momentum: 87% of respondents feel they’re playing a critical role in building the country’s future, and nearly half expect to work on major infrastructure like data centers. Many also say they’re excited about the growing demand for skilled trades and bigger, complex project opportunities.
The survey also shows strong workplace support. Nearly all women in the trades (89%) report feeling a sense of belonging, and 88% say they feel supported by coworkers. This energy was palpable as thousands of tradeswomen gathered in Chicago for Tradeswomen Build Nations, one of the largest conferences for women in construction, from September 19 to 21.
“Women in construction are eager to play a part in building the future and want to feel supported in doing so. The survey found tradeswomen in Chicago feel they have this support, which is extremely encouraging as we expect 5,000 tradeswomen to convene in the city this weekend for Tradeswomen Build Nations,” said Maria Ford, President of U.S. Commercial and Industrial at DEWALT.
Navigate Whatever’s Next with JB Warranties
From VR training programs and AI-powered service tools to a booming smart appliance market, the trades are moving fast — and contractors have plenty to keep up with. JB Warranties is here to help you track these changes and prepare for what’s coming next. Check back next month for the latest news, or visit the JB Warranties blog anytime for more insights!
Matt Cosby
Director of Marketing
