Industry News

Business owners across all trades are embracing AI to boost productivity and reclaim time—
while keeping the skilled, hands-on work human-first

Housecall Pro, a leading software platform for home service professionals, today released its 2025 AI Adoption in Home Services Industry Report, revealing that artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming the trades—not by replacing skilled workers, but by enhancing their efficiency and accelerating business growth.

According to the report, 54% of business owners under 35 are already using AI to automate parts of their operations, roughly twice the rate of those over 65. Notably, AI adoption is consistent across business sizes. From solo owner-operators to 50+-person companies, small shops are embracing AI nearly as much as large ones.

The study makes clear that home service pros are using AI to offload back-office tasks, not field work. The most common uses of AI are automating marketing, customer service, scheduling and paperwork.

“In other words, AI is handling the busywork while the pro handles the wrench work,” said Roland Ligtenberg, Housecall Pro Co-Founder and Senior Vice President of Innovation and Growth. “Our industry is built on human skill and trust. Fixing a furnace, rewiring a house, comforting a customer, that remains the domain of people. What’s changing is that now every contractor can have AI team members to tackle the tedious stuff in the background. It’s making the one-person shop as efficient as a larger company.”

Over 80% of contractors using AI say the tools met or exceeded their expectations. On average, AI adopters reclaimed over four hours per week from admin tasks like writing emails, data entry and follow-ups.

“Time is money in the trades, and AI is giving time back,” Ligtenberg said. “Think of a plumber who normally spends hours a week on invoices and scheduling. If AI frees up those hours, that’s a few more service calls he can take or a few more hours of hard-earned rest and family time. Skilled tradespeople do what AI can’t.”

According to the report, 57% of AI-using contractors say it’s helped their business grow. It does so mainly by capturing more leads and jobs (through faster response times and never missing a call) and boosting marketing reach with AI-generated ads and content.

The report portrays an optimistic future where AI becomes standard in the trades but remains in a supporting role.

“We’re at a tech inflection point in an industry that’s traditionally been all analog,” Ligtenberg said. “What we’re seeing is not a takeover by robots, but an augmentation of human workers. We believe the future trades professionals will use AI as naturally as a power tool or a smartphone, just like any other tool in their toolbelt.”

Trades Pros can access the key findings at: https://www.housecallpro.com/resources/ai-in-the-trades.

Interplay Learning, the leading provider of immersive training for the skilled trades, today announced the launch of its new In-the-Field Guides. These mobile-optimized, interactive resources are part of a comprehensive, structured development program that extends learning to maintenance technicians at the exact moment they need it most: in the field.

Field Guides

Purpose-built for real-world troubleshooting, these step-by-step digital guides complement structured learning with just-in-time instruction and help reinforce key repair and diagnostic tasks. With an intuitive, mobile-first design, technicians can easily access the guidance they need while on the job, without halting their workflow or waiting for support from a supervisor.

The initial launch focuses on high-demand repair scenarios in the multi-family industry, with training on critical equipment such as electric and gas water heaters, electric ranges, dishwashers, refrigerators, washers and dryers, and heat pump systems. These are among the most common systems technicians encounter in the field and are often associated with service calls that demand quick, confident action. Additional scenarios, including mini split systems, will be added soon to expand support even further.

Each In-the-Field Guide offers a structured, yet interactive experience that walks technicians through identifying system components, locating parts, and taking accurate measurements. At each stage, short knowledge checks are integrated to keep technicians engaged and to reinforce proper decision-making. Most importantly, the guides are fully optimized for mobile devices, making them easy to reference during live troubleshooting without returning to the shop or a training room.

Comprehensive Learning Program

These new guides act as a powerful extension of Interplay’s comprehensive learning program, helping bridge the gap between training and real-world application. By pairing the guides with hands-on instruction, foundational coursework and assessments, organizations create the cohesive learning experience that’s necessary to build true competence and confidence on the job. Together, these tools ensure technicians are not only prepared for the moment but are continuously developing the skills they need to grow and succeed over time.

A well-rounded training program helps companies achieve meaningful improvements in performance and consistency. Teams are better equipped to improve first-time fix rates and reduce downtime. With In-the-Field Guides, they can also reinforce standardized troubleshooting processes on the job while boosting technician confidence and reducing the need for callbacks or outsourcing.

Structured Learning

“When something breaks, techs don’t need to pause and search for answers. They need guidance in the moment,” said Doug Donovan, CEO and founder of Interplay Learning. “In-the-Field Guides are designed to extend structured learning into the flow of work, giving technicians real-time, situational support. When paired with foundational training, they help build a more confident, capable workforce that’s ready for whatever the day brings.”

The launch of In-the-Field Guides is a major step in Interplay’s commitment to delivering modern, performance-driven training solutions. More mobile-first tools are already in development and will be released later this year, continuing the company’s mission to meet learners where they are and provide the real-world support today’s technicians need. To learn more, visit www.interplaylearning.com.

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The nonprofit organization is now accepting registrations for October conference

Women in HVACR (WHVACR), a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering women in the heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration trades, has announced it will hold its 2025 annual conference at the Red Rock Casino, Resort & Spa in Las Vegas on Oct. 6-8 and registration is now open.

The conference, entitled “Bet on Yourself,” will feature keynote addresses by:

• Angela Gaffney: Gaffney is an executive coach, international speaker and best-selling author who helps leaders get “unstuck,” and lead with confidence.
• Erin Hatzikostas: Hatzikostas is the founder and CEO of b Authentic inc, and an internationally recognized leader on the impact of authenticity in the workplace.

“It is the goal of Women in HVACR to give women the tools they need to be successful in the skilled trades industry, and our annual conference serves to provide them with a professional and fun venue to network with and learn from other women in the HVACR fields,” said Women in WHVACR President Kristin Gallup, who also serves as director of product management for Carrier Enterprise in Orlando.  “If you’re ready to grow in your field, connect with other women in the industry, and celebrate our successes, this convention is for you.”

In addition to two full days of educational programming, the conference also features several networking events, including the Connection Crawl, from 2-4 p.m. Monday, Oct. 6; the Vintage Vegas Vendor Expo, from 5:30-8:30 p.m., and the Feathers and Fringe after party from 8:30-11:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 7; and “Hats Off to You – A Celebration of Women Who Lead” from 4-6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 8. The conference will also offer morning fitness activities at 6 a.m. on Oct. 7-8.

Registration is $999 for members and $1,299 for non-members, and rooms are available at the Red Rock Hotel.

In its 22^nd year, the Women of HVACR conference has been providing women in the industry with education and networking opportunities since the group was conceived at the AHR Expo in Chicago in 2002. The first conference was held in the form of a roundtable discussion as part of the Comfortech Conference in Dallas in 2003. The nonprofit became an official organization in 2004, and started hosting its own standalone annual conferences that year.

“We are dedicated to encouraging and supporting career growth for women in all areas of HVACR, including as technicians, in sales, customer service, management and ownership positions,” Gallup said. “We believe in achievement through teamwork. We are a strong organization because so many women in leadership positions are willing to step forward and share their knowledge. Our annual conference is a celebration of that leadership.”

For more information about, or to register for, the 2025 conference, visit https://www.womeninhvacr.org/bet-on-yourself.

For more information about Women in HVACR, visit https://www.womeninhvacr.org/.

Several tool carrying options are now available

KNIPEX Tools is levelling up the tool storage game with several new​ carrying solutions.

Most notably, a tool tote ideal for electricians, HVAC service technicians and residential plumbers. The tote features a water-resistant soft bottom with plastic feet and can handle up to 33 lbs when​ loaded. The tote also features:

• 25 internal & external pockets, accessible from all sides
• Chrome plated tape thong
• Tape measure clip
• ​Padded, removable shoulder strap
• D-ring
• Several elastic loops

The two additional storage products included in the launch are a 3-Pack of Stand-up Tool Bags (8​ 1/2″ L x 3″ W x 7 1/2″ H) and a 2-Pack of Zipper Tool Bags (small bag 7 1/2″ L x 2″ W x 5″ H; large bag​ 14″ L x 2″ W x 4 3/4″ H). The Stand-Up bags are equipped with colored loops in red, blue and yellow​ for easy identification and organization of three of the most popular wire nut colors. The Zipper Tool​ Bags are ideal for keeping jobsite materials & tools organized with the larger bag fitting up to 12″​ tools. Both products are made of durable polyester material and sold as sets.

“We’re committed to bringing tradesmen the things they need on a jobsite, and being the preferred​ pliers brand of professionals, we have a pretty good idea of what that is.” explains P​aeter Grable,​ Senior Product Manager at KNIPEX Tools North America. He continued, “What better way to carry​ your KNIPEX than in a KNIPEX bag.”​ 

The new items are added to the growing assortment of tool carrying solutions from KNIPEX. Popular​ existing products include the two tethered tool bags, several tool rolls, and two belt pouch options.​ 

The new items will be available at select retailers & distributors in the coming weeks.