MISSISSAUGA, Ontario - The Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI) reported that, during the second quarter of 2010, ductless split systems shipments showed the highest product sector gain, increasing by 94 percent. Other sectors showed increases, including residential air conditioning shipments, chiller bookings, unit heater shipments, and commercial air conditioning shipments. However, residential furnace shipments decreased by 1 percent compared to the second quarter of 2009.

HRAI reported the following key figures and trends:

• Commercial air conditioning shipments increased 8 percent, from 8,466 in the second quarter of 2009 to 9,134 in the second quarter of 2010. Year-to-date shipments increased 8 percent, from 15,233 for the second quarter of 2009 to 16,391 for the second quarter of 2010.

• Residential air conditioning shipments increased 31 percent from 81,805 in the second quarter of 2009 to 107,124 in the second quarter of 2010. Year-to-date shipments increased 33 percent from 108,138 for the second quarter of 2009 to 143,578 for the second quarter of 2010.

• Residential furnace shipments decreased 1 percent from 60,278 in the second quarter of 2009 to 59,667 in the second quarter of 2010. Year-to-date shipments increased 28 percent from 109,618 for the second quarter of 2009 to 139,980 for the second quarter of 2010.

• Unit heater shipments increased by 23 percent from 5,393 in the second quarter of 2009 to 6,616 in the second quarter of 2010. Year-to-date shipments increased 26 percent from 13,127 for the second quarter of 2009 to 16,519 for the second quarter of 2010.

• Ductless split systems shipments increased by 94 percent from 10,335 in the second quarter of 2009 to 20,063 in the second quarter of 2010. Year-to-date shipments increased 25 percent from 25,697 for the second quarter of 2009 to 32,194 for the second quarter of 2010.

• Chiller bookings increased 30 percent from 180 in the second quarter of 2009 to 234 in the second quarter of 2010. Year-to-date shipments increased 39 percent from 358 for the second quarter of 2009 to 499 for the second quarter of 2010.

HRAI also noted explanations for its terminology. “Residential air conditioning” means ducted split system air conditioning and heat pumps up to 5 tons; “ductless splits” means heat pumps and conditioning condensing units (cooling only); “commercial air conditioning” means rooftops (combination heat/cool), packaged cooling and packaged heat pumps; “furnace” means residential forced air furnaces of all types (gas, oil, electric and combination); “chillers” include large tonnage liquid, reciprocating liquid and absorption chillers; “unit heater” means self-contained automatically controlled vented units limited to heating of nonresidential space and also includes duct furnaces.

Publication date: 09/13/2010