CE Pro December 2022 - 34

TECHNOLOGY | Water-Based Systems
Get Your Feet Wet
With Water-Based
Business Opportunities
In the first of two installments, we explore why custom integrators can benefit
from adding bidet seats and smart toilets, as well as water management and
water filtration to their portfolios. By Orrin Charm
I'M NOT A PLUMBER.
Generally, I'm very
comfortable around electronics
and electricity, but I
always dreaded having to
deal with pipes, wrenches or
water. However, my interest
in energy management led
me to explore water management,
and on to a new breed
of water-based system
devices that reside in
between plumbing and
electronics.
These solutions and
technologies also off er a
unique opportunity for
custom integrators, who
have skills that put them in
a very favorable position to
off er these products to their
clientele. In this overview
of smart water management
and water-based solutions,
we'll take a look at ways CE
pros can add them to their
34 | CE Pro December 2022
services portfolio.
In this month's two-part
section, we'll examine bidet
seats/smart toilets and water
management/fi ltration. Stay
tuned for a two-part sequel
that will cover additional
opportunities involving
irrigation/pool controls and
working with kitchen/bath
designers in an upcoming
issue of CE Pro.
PART ONE:
BIDET SEATS &
SMART TOILETS
You're probably asking,
why should I sell these? For
starters, these products are
great! They will make clients
very happy and will lead to
additional business. People
who have them would never
go back to conventional
toilets - but surprisingly
few people have had the
opportunity. However,
you are your clients' " tech
person, " and so you are their
best resource to learn about
these luxury products.
Using a bidet seat improves
comfort, health, and hygiene,
and helps conserve trees and
water. The energy consumption
is negligible, and few
other products off er such
a deep feeling of " luxury, "
every single day, along with
sustainability.
Second, integrators are
skilled in selling technology.
Plumbers as a rule are not,
so although they have skills
to install such products, they
aren't traditionally inclined
to do so - especially since
they usually don't face customers
unless there is a serious
problem. (This generality
also applies to landscapers,
pool builders, gardeners, and
other trades, who usually
don't have the same sales
access to high-end clients
that we do.)
Third, these products
cross skill sets in a way that
integrators are accustomed
to, which often discourages
other tradespeople from
getting involved.
Finally, this is an area
where technology is growing
rapidly, which may leave
more traditional trades
behind, while custom integrators
are expected to be
up to date on smart technologies,
trends and products.
Outlet to Pleasing
Potential Customers
When my wife and I moved
into our new home a few
years ago, I became very
curious about a device I had
seen at CES - a bidet seat
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CE Pro December 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of CE Pro December 2022
