Live from the UA Instructor Training Program, we chat with Joe Fernandez Jr. about the trade that's increasingly overlapping with HVAC: plumbing. We dig into how heat pump water heaters are reshaping expectations for both plumbers and HVAC techs, and why education and service are driving the transition.
We explore:
• Why heat pump water heaters are already the norm overseas and gaining ground in the U.S.
• The consumer pushback around upfront cost, and how technicians can educate customers
• How building a plumbing service program from the ground up transformed one UA local from 5% to over 40% service work
• Why service work is recession-resistant, and how the 2008 downturn and COVID-19 reshaped training priorities
• The growing emphasis on soft skills and customer communication alongside technical training
• How the UA is expanding curriculum with branch classes for specialized service skills
Joe shares hard-won lessons from over 30 years in the trade, including how his local rebuilt around service work after the 2008 crash and why "getting comfortable with being uncomfortable" has become a guiding philosophy for training the next generation. Whether you're a contractor, instructor or technician navigating the shift toward electrification and service-based work, this episode offers practical insight into where the trades are headed.
#HVAC #Plumbing #ESCO #ESCOInstitute #UnitedAssociation
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🎥 This Week’s Video is Brought to You By Our Amazing Sponsors!
A huge THANK YOU to this week’s sponsors for supporting education and excellence in the HVACR industry! 👇
💨 Daikin Comfort — https://daikincomfort.com / @DaikinComfort — Delivering comfort, efficiency and innovation through advanced HVAC technology.
🧰 Service Logic — https://www.servicelogic.com / @ServiceLogic-CommercialHVAC — The nation’s largest privately held HVAC service company — keeping facilities efficient and reliable.
🌎 Hudson Technologies — https://www.hudsontech.com / @HudsonTechnologies — Leading the charge in sustainable refrigerant management and recovery solutions.
📚 iConnect Training — https://iconnecttraining.com / @iconnecttraining — Providing world-class hands-on HVACR education and training resources for future technicians.
🔧 The United Association (UA) — https://ua.org / @UAPipeTrades — Building America’s skilled workforce through premier training for plumbers, fitters, welders and HVACR professionals.
👏 We’re grateful for their continued support in helping advance the HVACR industry through training, innovation and opportunity!
#HVAC #HVACTechnician #HVACTraining #DaikinComfort #ServiceLogic #HudsonTechnologies #iConnectTraining #UnitedAssociation #HVACCommunity #TradeEducation #HVACR #Refrigeration #Technology #FutureOfHVACR #EcoFriendly #ContinuousEducation #StayCurrent
