Jun.27.2008
Paint it Green and Watch it Turn Blue!
By Kim Smith
It’s an unrecognizable image to most. The plumber circa 1934 stands with a superhero presence, hands clasped purposefully around his trusty wrench. The earth illuminates his vision, while thousands of people look up to him to protect the health of their nation.
Fade into today. A plumber is knocking on a consumer’s door whose pipe has broken. The consumer opens the door and doesn’t recognize the plumber because he has been chosen simply by the clever design of his ad. He walks inside with outdated training because he resides in one of the 37 states that doesn’t require continued education. And when he hears the word green, he thinks of it only as a color. He isn’t concerned with the depletion of our fresh water supply, because he’s uneducated on how he can make a difference.
GreenPlumber USA has come to the rescue. “Our goal is to make plumbers part of the solution,” said Licensing Director of GreenPlumbers USA, Megan Lehtonen.
Imagine if you could call anywhere in the country and have a network of plumbers you can trust that have the most recent training in saving water, energy, are technologically advanced and adhere to a code of ethics.
GreenPlumbers is a 5-part training program that prepares plumbers to go out into the world with a greater understanding of their role in the environment and public health. They are trained to promote the benefits of water conservation and the reduction of GHG emissions. “The focus is on changing consumer and plumbing behavior through the use of energy efficiency and water saving technologies,” said Lehtonen. For GreenPlumbers it’s the training that’s green, not the product.
The idea originated in Australia. When the government declared a severe water crisis in 2001, a solution was born within the design of GreenPlumbers. Developed by the Master Plumbers’ and Mechanical Services Association of Australia (MPMSAA), Green Plumbers pushed its way through the dry land, sprouting a greater resource of water and energy for the country.
California is now in the red. Due to the shrinking water supply and stubborn rainfall, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has announced a statewide drought. Fortunately, GreenPlumbers USA is in motion, following closely behind the successful lead of Australia. “We have a built in advantage in the United States because we are implementing a superior, proven product thanks to our Australian partners,” said Lehtonen.
The polished GreenPlumber, armed with knowledge and technology can help to save water and energy. Preconceived notions of unattractive dual flush toilets, water pressure resembling the sprinkle of Southern California rain and a shortage of hot water can be tucked away. Showerheads installed by GreenPlumbers not only perform better than the original showerheads but the heat lasts longer. And while time in the shower is more enjoyable, water and energy are being saved.
The water districts in California are ecstatic. With a nationwide $30 million budget, not only are they giving out rebates to cover the expenses for consumers’ new fixtures, but they help to cover the costs for GreenPlumbers training which includes home water-efficient products, heating and cooling appliances, hot water heating, solar hot water, water conservation and water sustainability and other emerging technologies.
GreenPlumbers is expecting to train more than 8,000 plumbers in the US in 2008, with a five-year goal of 50,000. “We hope to be the most recognized source in plumbing and water needs, “ said Lehtonen.
With the solution in hand, GreenPlumbers USA is making an impact throughout California, trained to protect and restore our energy and water supply.
Filed in Greeniest |
