MISSISSAUGA, Ontario — According to statistics from the Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI), during the first quarter of 2003, residential air conditioning shipments in Canada increased by 21 percent compared to the same period a year ago. Residential air conditioning shipments increased from 47334 in the first quarter of 2002 to 57,061 in the first quarter of 2003.

Residential furnace shipments for the quarter increased 6 percent compared to the same period last year, up from 51,740 to 54,977, according to HRAI. Unit heater shipments were up 3 percent, from 5,826 in the first quarter of 2002 to 6,023 in the first quarter of 2003.

Commercial air conditioning shipments for the quarter decreased 6 percent, dropping from 7,642 in the first quarter of 2002 to 7,184 in the first quarter of 2003. Chiller bookings in the first quarter of 2003 dropped by 34 percent compared to last year.