The latest report from Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) indicates that 2013 will likely end on a positive note, as shipments of HVAC equipment increased as of November 2013, with year-to-date combined shipments of central air conditioners and air-source heat pumps increasing 10 percent, while U.S. shipments of gas warm air furnaces increased 15.8 percent over the same time period.
This is good news for manufacturers, although many predict that the HVAC industry will see only modest gains this year. Carol Baker, vice president of marketing, Nordyne, noted: “The economy will continue to be a concern in 2014. We expect modest improvement in the HVAC industry related to residential pent-up demand and a small uptick in residential new construction.”