So far, 2018 is shaping up to be a good year for HVAC contractors. Per Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute’s (AHRI’s) March 2018 U.S. Heating and Cooling Equipment Shipment Data, year-to-date combined shipments of central air conditioners and air-source heat pumps increased 6.7 percent, to 1,827,120, up from 1,711,938 units shipped in March 2017. Broken down, central air conditioner shipments increased 1.9 percent, while heat pump shipments increased a whopping 15 percent. As the season shifts fully into summer with the onset of warmer temperatures, this presents an opportunity for contractors to increase their profits with both repairs and replacement systems.