ARLINGTON, VA — According to the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI), combined February U.S. factory shipments of 459,015 central air conditioners and air-source heat pumps were down 10% compared to the same month last year.

However, heat pump shipments alone, at 110,066 units, showed an increase of 9% over February 2000.

Factory stocks for February 2001 were up 33,547 units over February 2000, and 59,553 from January 2001.

Distributor shipments from February 2001 were up 6% over February 2000, while year-to-date shipments were up 1%.

For more information, visit www.ari.org (website).

Publication dates 04/23/2001