For years, leadership in the trades was defined by grit, hustle, and sheer willpower. If you worked harder, stayed longer, and pushed through, you were considered a strong leader. And while work ethic will always matter in plumbing, the demands of today’s workforce are calling for something more.
Presenting rebate amounts and net costs alongside energy savings over time can shift the conversation from “How much will it cost?” to “What’s this really worth?”
Their focus on culture-first training became the foundation for everything else: technical instruction, soft skills development and long-term career progression.
AHR Expo 2026 made it clear that hybrid systems are no longer an emerging idea; they are the answer to the ongoing balancing act of meeting decarbonization goals while remaining realistic about the grid's capacity for electrification. Manufacturers emphasized systems that combine electric technologies, gas-fired equipment, and advanced controls.
