The HVAC industry had a banner month in October. The Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI) reported October's combined unitary shipments were up 73 percent from October 2004. And 2004 was a record year for the industry. Total shipments for October were 714,793 units. Heat pump shipments were also up 47 percent, shipping 190,015 units.
"The big jump in shipments of central air conditioners and heat pumps could have something to do with October's sales of new homes," said William Sutton, ARI president.