You can’t watch the news or read social media these days without hearing about how artificial intelligence is becoming so powerful that it will take over several jobs.

In reality, most AI used today is helping employees work smarter by taking over some of the repetitive tasks that bog most of us down. By assisting with data analysis, scheduling and inventory management, AI increases productivity and improves accuracy.

But what about the home service industry? AI can’t snake a drain, and it can’t replace an air conditioning unit’s capacitor. Instead, you can use AI as a digital assistant to complement the physical work that has to be performed.

Smart Assistants

Right now, several plumbing, HVAC and electrical service companies are already using AI chatbots to assist their customer service teams.

Not only can chatbots work around the clock to provide some quick answers to some common questions, they can also help your customer service representatives manage a large call volume. From answering customer questions to directing calls to specific team members, these bots reduce wait times and triage customer needs.

Chatbots can also pull customer information and have it ready when a customer service representative takes the call, providing the customer with a personalized experience. Finally, chatbots can also monitor and analyze customer feedback in real time, providing your team with the insights they wouldn’t have readily available otherwise.

In addition to improving customer service, AI is also being used to instantly forecast inventory needs and to automate marketing campaigns.

Harnessing AI to automate your company’s inventory management helps your team track supplies in real time so they have the tools and equipment needed for the planned jobs ahead. In marketing, AI’s data-gathering abilities are ideal for developing advertising or email campaigns that are more targeted and personalized.

AI’s help with these types of tasks is already proving itself to be invaluable. As technology improves, AI will also become one of the most used tools in your team’s tool chest.

Predictive Maintenance

Many of your plumbing and HVAC customers are already purchasing smart home appliances and HVAC units, while contractors are building smart homes where internet-enabled devices can be controlled from anywhere using a networked device.

This means that these devices can analyze data from their various sensors to detect abnormalities in the system and predict the likelihood of component failure. In an HVAC system, this information can be automatically sent to the customer’s preferred HVAC maintenance company, and they can monitor the system for issues.

Predictive maintenance isn’t as cut and dry in the plumbing world since pipes are fairly static equipment. But sensors can be added to various components in a homeowner’s plumbing system, like toilets and sinks.

Sensors can also monitor water flow to detect leaks and surges. AI can pinpoint the location of active leaks in real time, saving homeowners money on water damage and repairs.

The bottom line is that with all this data, home service technicians and homeowners alike will be able to address potential problems before they escalate into expensive repairs.

This helps managers allocate resources more appropriately. If your techs know what the issue is before they leave the shop, they can already have the right tools and equipment on hand to make the repair. This also cuts down on time spent at individual homes, so you can schedule more service calls.

Training in the 21st Century

Imagine your team getting the hands-on training they need without having to leave the training room. With virtual reality simulations that are powered by AI, your techs can walk through the steps necessary to repipe a whole home as though they were Mario and Luigi in a video game.

This type of simulation helps users develop practical skills in a safe and controlled environment, enhancing your crew’s learning efficiency.

VR is also a great tool for recruiting and retention. With the labor shortage many home service companies are experiencing as baby boomers continue to retire, offering your own training services in an apprenticeship program can help you meet customer demands.

With the integration of AI as part of your training, your technicians will not only be able to master new skills, they can do so using the type of innovative techniques that make training more exciting and memorable. 

Plumbing companies can also use their modern training program and technology spend as a means to recruit the next generation of plumbers. Younger people are attracted to forward-thinking companies that bring innovation to daily activities.  

A Tool, Not an Employee

In the plumbing industry, we must reassure employees that their roles won’t be replaced by robots any time soon. 

Plumbing company owners who are wary of this technology need to understand that its use in the industry will be a necessity as home service technology expands. If they don’t start adopting AI soon, their company will get left behind.

But, on the flip side, owners need to view AI as another tool and not as a replacement for workers. Used properly, AI can help free your staff from performing menial duties so they can apply their skills toward the tasks that elevate the customer experience.

AI is rapidly changing the way home service companies do business, and the plumbing trade is no exception. From training and development to making work more efficient, AI is fast becoming a plumber’s latest go-to tool. l

John Akhoian is CEO of Rooter Hero, a plumbing and drain company serving locations across California and Arizona. His mission is to help others maximize their careers and live fulfilling, comfortable lives, and he is the author of several books about achieving success in business, including, “Creating 99 Millionaires” and “The Secret to Real Wealth.” He also published his autobiography, “Temporarily Broken: The John Akhoian Story” in 2022. For more information, visit www.rooterhero.com.