Major Trends in the Plumbing Industry in 2022
Without question, the past few years have been a wild ride for the construction industry, affecting all sectors, redefining consumer needs and expectations, and setting the stage for a whole new chapter in the future of home construction and renovation.
The pandemic, with all its lockdowns and restrictions, has forced many homeowners to remain indoors. More time at home meant more time observing and reevaluating the design and functionality of their home, and many decided it’s time for a change.
Fast forward to 2022, where many people are still caught up in home renovations, trying to make their living space as comfortable, functional and convenient as possible. What’s more, according to a survey carried out by Houzz, a large number of homeowners declared that bathroom and kitchen remodeling are among their top priorities.
On the other hand, in the face of dramatic climate changes, people are becoming more environmentally conscious. Many realize that the future is not just about the advancement of technology, but also about sustainability and green living, and this idea shapes their expectations from the construction industry.
So, what does this all mean for plumbing trends in 2022?
In a nutshell, it means that people want smarter and greener plumbing solutions. Let’s have a closer look at each one of the trends that rule the industry at the moment:
1. Smarter plumbing
Technology is advancing at a dazzling pace, and the plumbing industry is not lagging behind. Homeowners, particularly those belonging to the younger generation, are now gravitating towards smart plumbing features—touchless fixtures, water-leak sensors, smart toilets and so on. These usually rely on sensors and / or can be controlled via a mobile app or smart device like Alexa.
According to ContractorMag, “The current five-billion-dollar market for smart bathroom fixtures is all set to revolutionize the plumbing industry with innovative and eco-friendly fixtures and technologically advanced hardware. Smart fixtures like touchless faucets, sensor-enabled soap dispensers, and automatic cistern systems aid in creating a flexible and luxurious environment for all.”
Letting technology empower our plumbing systems has its advantages, some of which also tie in with sustainability. Smart tech plumbing is more energy-efficient, by having an internal system that regulates its functionality so that no water or heat are wasted.
Smart plumbing also promotes better health, by reducing the need for people to touch handles or faucets and instead relying on sensors to turn them on and off. This is a particularly hot topic which is getting a lot of traction after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Finally, and perhaps most evidently, smarter plumbing is convenient. It allows people to control their plumbing systems from a distance or program them in advance, saving time and customizing features like pressure or temperature.
With all this in mind, it’s no surprise that smart plumbing is gaining so much popularity in 2022. It pays to use technology to our advantage, making sure we protect our health and that of our planet, all while saving time and effort.
2. Green plumbing
The second huge plumbing trend dominating the industry now is green plumbing. In the post-pandemic era of plumbing and construction, there is a growing need to re-evaluate practices that are damaging to the environment and the use of unsustainable materials such as plastics.
As a result, there is now a higher demand for green infrastructure. As an article published by Construction Update puts it, “homeowners don’t want the houses of the past which have poor energy efficiency ratings and are built with single-use materials—they seek sustainable solutions that conserve natural resources and give back to the environment.”
When it comes to green plumbing (and heating), heat pumps are a hugely popular feature these days. Heat pumps are an excellent source of renewable heating (or cooling) with a lower carbon footprint.
They also rely on copper pipes, as opposed to plastic which is far less sustainable. Copper pipes are not only more efficient and safer, but also good for the environment. There is also a lot of it to go around—around 5.6 billion—according to research done by the US Geological Survey.
Given the state of the world, it makes sense that people want greener and smarter solutions for their plumbing. We all want a future that is sustainable and convenient, and technology that is working in our favor.
AMAST can help you with all that. As a top-tier wholesale construction marketplace, we cover all your construction materials needs, including tons of plumbing, heating, and piping solutions. We connect contractors and management companies with reliable vendors from all over the world and provide a vast variety of quality items at reasonable prices.