MISSISSAUGA, Ontario - The Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI) announced statistical results for the 4th quarter of 2005, showing residential air conditioning shipments with the largest gain, increasing by 311 percent. Commercial air conditioning shipments showed the second largest gain with an increase of 18 percent, followed by residential furnace shipments increasing by 11 percent over the 4th quarter of 2004. Other sectors showed decreases, including unit heater shipments by 7 percent and chiller bookings by 8 percent.

Key figures and trends are as follows:

Residential air conditioning shipments increased 311 percent from 8,170 in the fourth quarter of 2004 to 33,568 in the fourth quarter of 2005. Year-to-date shipments increased by 23 percent from 232,745 for 2004 to 285,399 for 2005.

Commercial air conditioning shipments increased 18 percent from 10,893 in the fourth quarter of 2004 to 12,853 in the fourth quarter of 2005. Year-to-date shipments increased by 6 percent from 41,919 for 2004 to 44,568 for 2005.

Residential furnace shipments increased 11 percent from 98,964 in the fourth quarter of 2004 to 109,737 in the fourth quarter of 2005. Year-to-date shipments decreased by 2 percent from 314,049 for 2004 to 308,615 for 2005.

Unit heater shipments decreased by 7 percent from 17,588 in the fourth quarter of 2004 to 16,380 in the fourth quarter of 2005. Year-to-date shipments decreased by 3 percent from 43,975 for 2004 to 42,715 for 2005.

Chiller bookings decreased 8 percent from 197 in the fourth quarter of 2004 to 182 in the fourth quarter of 2005. Year-to-date bookings increased by 4 percent from 760 for 2004 to 792 for 2005.

Publication date: 02/13/2006