MISSISSAUGA, Ontario — According to the Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI), during the fourth quarter 2012 versus fourth quarter 2011, commercial air conditioning shipments showed the highest product sector gain, increasing by 26 percent. Air-handling unit shipments also showed an increase, rising 17 percent. Ductless splits shipments decreased by 24 percent, chiller bookings decreased by 12 percent, residential furnace shipments decreased by 9 percent, unit heater shipments decreased by 4 percent, and residential air conditioning shipments decreased by 1 percent over the fourth quarter 2011.

Key figures and trends are as follows:

• Commercial air conditioning shipments increased 26 percent, from 10,540 in the fourth quarter of 2011 to 13,292 in the fourth quarter of 2012. Year-to-date shipments increased 9 percent, from 39,275 for the fourth quarter 2011 to 42,873 for the fourth quarter 2012.

• Residential air conditioning shipments decreased 1 percent from 27,618 in the fourth quarter of 2011 to 27,424 in the fourth quarter of 2012. Year-to-date shipments increased 2 percent from 225,390 for the fourth quarter 2011 to 230,802 for the fourth quarter 2012.

• Residential furnace shipments decreased 9 percent from 102,322 in the fourth quarter of 2011 to 93,126 in the fourth quarter of 2012. Year-to-date shipments increased by less than 1 percent from 304,292 for the fourth quarter 2011 to 305,564 for the fourth quarter 2012.

• Unit heater shipments decreased by 4 percent from 15,676 in the fourth quarter of 2011 to 15,022 in the fourth quarter of 2012. Year-to-date shipments increased by less than 1 percent from 36,825 for the fourth quarter 2011 to 36,969 for the fourth quarter 2012.

• Ductless split system shipments decreased by 24 percent from 9,155 in the fourth quarter of 2011 to 6,912 in the fourth quarter of 2012. Year-to-date shipments decreased 12 percent from 87,171 for the fourth quarter 2011 to 76,835 for the fourth quarter 2012.

• Chiller bookings decreased 12 percent from 197 in the fourth quarter of 2011 to 173 in the fourth quarter 2012. Year-to-date shipments decreased 9 percent from 909 for the fourth quarter 2011 to 828 for the fourth quarter 2012.

Publication date: 2/11/2013