During the first quarter of 2009, ductless split system shipments were the only product sector to show a gain, increasing by 24 percent, according to the Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI). Other sectors showed decreases, including residential air conditioning shipments by 33 percent, chiller bookings by 24 percent, commercial air conditioning shipments by 18 percent, unit heater shipments by 13 percent, and residential furnace shipments by 6 percent compared to the first quarter of 2008.

Ductless split system shipments increased from 12,436 in the first quarter of 2008 to 15,362 in the first quarter of 2009.

Commercial air conditioning shipments decreased from 8,299 in the first quarter of 2008 to 6,767 in the first quarter of 2009. Residential air conditioning shipments decreased from 39,059 in the first quarter of 2008 to 26,333 in the first quarter of 2009. Residential furnace shipments decreased from 52,311 in the first quarter of 2008 to 49,340 in the first quarter of 2009. Unit heater shipments decreased from 8,862 in the first quarter of 2008 to 7,734 in the first quarter of 2009. Chiller bookings decreased from 235 in the first quarter of 2008 to 178 in the first quarter 2009.

Publication date:05/25/2009