MISSISSAUGA, Ontario - During the third quarter of 2008, ductless split systems showed the largest gain in shipments, increasing by 27 percent, according to the Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI). Chiller bookings showed the second largest gain, increasing by 22 percent. Other sectors that showed increases include commercial air conditioning shipments by 3 percent and residential air conditioning shipments by 1 percent. Residential furnace shipments decreased by 4 percent and unit heater shipments by 1 percent over the third quarter 2007.

Key year-to-date figures include:

• Commercial air conditioning shipments year-to-date decreased 1 percent, from 32,275 for the third quarter 2007 to 31,901 for the third quarter 2008.

• Residential air conditioning shipments year-to-date increased by less than 1 percent, from 205,051 for the third quarter 2007 to 205,134 for the third quarter 2008.

• Residential furnace shipments year-to-date decreased 5 percent, from 217,671 for the third quarter 2007 to 205,876 for the third quarter 2008.

• Unit heater shipments year-to-date increased 1 percent, from 27,719 for the third quarter 2007 to 28,048 for the third quarter 2008.

• Ductless split system shipments year-to-date increased 10 percent, from 41,834 for the third quarter 2007 to 46,711 for the third quarter 2008.

• Chiller year-to-date shipments increased 19 percent, from 586 for the third quarter 2007 to 642 for the third quarter 2008.

For more information, visit www.hrai.ca.

Publication date: 11/24/2008