The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in 2023 saw the introduction of innovative plumbing solutions and technologies that could change the industry in significant ways. From smart toilets to voice-activated faucets, the plumbing industry is keeping pace with the growing demand for convenience, efficiency, and sustainability. This year's event provided a glimpse into the future of plumbing and the exciting advancements that are shaping the industry. Here, we're highlighting a few new products that you'll want to be aware of if you run a plumbing business.
1. Rheem’s ProTerra Plug-In Heat Pump Water Heater
A smart, drop-in replacement for gas-to-electric water heater conversions, Rheem's latest product innovates by making it easier for homeowners to lower their energy use and reduce their carbon footprint without the costs of a more significant home upgrade. Homeowners are even able to track temperature and energy usage from a convenient connected app. For those in the plumbing industry, this product introduces another option for customers looking to cut costs and boost sustainability. The ProTerra Plug-In Heat Pump Water Heater won the CES 2023 Innovation Award in the Sustainability, Eco-Design & Smart Energy category.
2. Kohler H2Wise+
This innovative new product from the trusted Kohler brand combines a water leak protection system with a shut-off valve, which means it can not only alert you to potential water damage before it gets worse, but can also shut off the water for you remotely when you're not at home. The H2Wise+ also features a connected app that makes it easier to monitor your household water usage, conserve water, and save on utility bills. For plumbers and those in the industry, Kohler's new product is an attractive way to provide extra insurance for customers worried about water leaks and usage.
3. Moen Smart Water Network
Moen introduced its new Flo Smart Network with Water Monitor and Shutoff System at CES, offering a revolutionary new way to monitor leaks and possible water damage to keep your home protected 24/7. Moen's system combines smart water leak detectors that can be placed anywhere a leak might occur with a water monitor and shutoff device that monitors temperature, pressure, and usage while allowing customers to remotely shut off the water when a leak happens. This is a great way to provide security and peace of mind to plumbing customers who are concerned about the potential for leaks, while also introducing smart monitoring and usage capabilities at the same time.
4. Rachio Smart Hose Timer
Rachio's new Smart Hose Timer is a great choice for customers concerned about water use (and looking to save time) when they maintain their lawns, gardens, and outdoor spaces. The timer connects to an outdoor faucet and uses a mobile app to help you build customized, automated watering schedules. With built-in smarts, it can also keep tabs on the weather and skip a watering cycle when it rains—saving customers in the long run. This might be worth considering for customers with large lawns, major gardens, or those building or upgrading a new home.
5. Clean Water Pathfinder from ACWA Robotics
In a slightly different category, this CES 2023 honoree from ACWA Robotics is a Clean Water Pathfinder that aims to help water utilities conserve huge amounts of clean water that are lost due to poor conditions in the supply network. According to CES, this revolutionary new product features an intelligent robot that "evolves inside the pipe" to save millions of cubic meters of water and help "optimize cities' water infrastructure investments." This breakthrough is definitely something worth keeping an eye on for any plumbing businesses that contract with municipal water utilities.
While plumbing may have existed for thousands of years, the science and technology behind modern plumbing systems continue to evolve—and as a small business owner, it's worth keeping your eye on the latest industry trends and developments. At CES 2023, we saw several new products and breakthroughs that could signal major changes ahead in the plumbing world. It's worth keeping an eye on these products, whether it's to satisfy customer demand for more control over issues like water usage and leaks, or simply to make smart, forward-thinking choices when it comes to purchasing and investments.
Product Compliance and Suitability
The product statements contained in this guide are intended for general informational purposes only. Such product statements do not constitute a product recommendation or representation as to the appropriateness, accuracy, completeness, correctness, or currentness of the information provided. Information provided in this guide does not replace the use by you of any manufacturer instructions, technical product manual, or other professional resource or adviser available to you. Always read, understand, and follow all manufacturer instructions.