Plumbing
From Jan. to May, roughly 1.79 million gas water heaters were shipped, down 5.4 percent year-over-year, marking the lowest cumulative total since 2012
Federal grant program covering skilled trades training goes live
The Workforce Pell Grant program, established under President Trump’s big, beautiful bill in July 2025, allows students to leverage Pell Grants for shorter-term vocational programs
Chemours agrees to $450 million PFAS settlement
The announcement marks the “first comprehensive federal settlement” with a major PFAS manufacturer, according to the Justice Department
PHCC slams Louisiana licensing rollback as industrywide ‘warning’
“Louisiana had stronger licensure protections than most states, and watering them down will ultimately cost consumers through poorer work quality and greater safety hazards,” said COO Dan Quinonez
Defense Department launches skilled trades push with $10 million check
The effort adds to a growing list of skilled trades investments from both Washington and the business community this year
Economy
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Residential water heater shipments slide through May as gas hits lowest five-month total since 2012
From Jan. to May, roughly 1.79 million gas water heaters were shipped, down 5.4 percent year-over-year, marking the lowest cumulative total since 2012
Defense Department launches skilled trades push with $10 million check
The effort adds to a growing list of skilled trades investments from both Washington and the business community this year
U.S. trade school revenue climbs to $19.1 billion
A quiet winner has emerged amid America’s skilled trades boom
Charted: Where U.S. household debt payments stand
In the first quarter of this year, household debt payments represented 11.16 percent of disposable income, according to the Federal Reserve
Gas water heater shipments hit six-year low as electric holds up
Roughly 1.44 million residential gas water heaters were shipped between January and April of this year, the lowest first-four-month total of the past six years, per AHRI
Industry group announces 2026 Heat Pump Water Heater Week
The event, taking place from October 26 to 29, marks an expansion from previous years, when the celebration was just one day
Legal
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Industry groups urge Congress to bury small-biz reporting rule
Dozens of trade groups have sent a letter to Congress, urging leaders to ensure that a currently shelved small business reporting requirement does not return
Federal grant program covering skilled trades training goes live
The Workforce Pell Grant program, established under President Trump’s big, beautiful bill in July 2025, allows students to leverage Pell Grants for shorter-term vocational programs
June’s most popular stories
A federal rebate change, $300,000 contractor settlement, 1.3 million-subscriber YouTube channel, and more
PHCC slams Louisiana licensing rollback as industrywide ‘warning’
“Louisiana had stronger licensure protections than most states, and watering them down will ultimately cost consumers through poorer work quality and greater safety hazards,” said COO Dan Quinonez
Chemours agrees to $450 million PFAS settlement
The announcement marks the “first comprehensive federal settlement” with a major PFAS manufacturer, according to the Justice Department
Feds seize 93 sinks over unauthorized certification marks
“Unscrupulous vendors victimize consumers by selling inferior products, like these sinks with unauthorized UPC Shield marks,” said U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Keri Brady
M&A
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May’s most popular stories
Some big-money action, an EPA rule change, and ChatGPT's local business ads
Apex Service Partners to receive minority investment at $10 billion valuation
Founded in 2019 with backing from California-based Alpine Investors, Apex is the largest private equity-backed residential HVAC, plumbing, and electrical platform in the U.S.
USA Hometown Experts exploring sale, reports say
While the reported process is in the early stages, it follows a string of private equity-backed platform activity this year
Redwood Services buys five-contractor group for $220 million
The deal marks just the second platform-buys-platform transaction among today’s residential HVAC, plumbing, and electrical platforms
Roto-Rooter snaps up two franchises for $20.6 million
The Roto-Rooter corporate entity has been acquiring franchises to “boost productivity, market share, and profitability”
American Residential Services exploring sale, report says
The process, which is being run by investment bank Rothschild & Co, is at an “early stage,” according to Reuters
Management
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How AllTech Services runs its 1.3 million-subscriber YouTube channel
In conversation with owner Abe Zarou about the company’s YouTube strategy, day-to-day operations, and more
PHCC’s next CEO on his game plan
In conversation with Dan Quinonez, who will step into the chief executive role on November 1
Meet the Contractor: Brandon Anderson, Morris-Jenkins
"Our former owner, Mr. Jenkins, built the company around taking care of people"
Google channels diverged on paying customers, average ticket in Q1: Analysis
Google’s primary lead generation channels, from Business Profiles to Local Services Ads, in the first quarter of this year told different stories, according to one analysis
Mother Modern Plumbing shares 50% of profits with employees
“We want to become the preeminent brand of plumbing in Texas,” said founder Dustin Marx
7 HVAC and plumbing contractor videos that went viral
A roundup of seven clips, posted by HVAC and plumbing contractors, that have garnered over one million views
Technology
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ChatGPT ads to go performance-based
Advertisers would reportedly pay only when certain actions are taken, including appointment bookings
Avoca co-founders on a $1 billion valuation, tomorrow’s CSRs, and AI’s trust dilemma
In late April, the home services-focused AI company announced that it has raised over $125 million in funding since its 2022 inception, most recently clinching a $1 billion valuation
ChatGPT ads now open to local service businesses
Through a new self-serve Ads Manager, businesses can create and manage their own ad campaigns on a cost-per-click (CPC) basis
Microsoft, trade unions expand AI literacy push
The partners last week announced a slate of free AI literacy courses for the skilled trades, available on LinkedIn Learning
Report details heat pump water heater market’s mixed year
5 new residential manufacturers brought heat pump water heaters (HPWHs) to market in 2025, it notes, and the industry saw notable technological advancements
Thumbtack, Claude launch contractor hiring integration
As AI adoption skyrockets, marketplaces like Thumbtack are aiming to drive searchers to contractors