Consider that for the fourth consecutive year, manufacturers shipped a record number of central air conditioners and air-source heat pumps, exceeding 8.6 million units in 2005, up 16 percent from the just over 7.4 million units shipped in 2004. The news is also rosy on the heating side, according to Gas Appliance Manufacturers Association (GAMA) president, Jack Klimp, who noted that "sales dollar volumes in 2005 demonstrated healthy increases."
But manufacturers of 13 SEER equipment do not have time to rest on their laurels this year. Not only do they have to retool to meet the demand for their new, higher efficiency units, but they also have to make sure that distributors and contractors are aware of the need to properly size and match the new systems. In addition, manufacturers are facing increased competition from foreign manufacturers, as well as rising costs for vital commodities such as copper and steel. There's still a lot to do, and manufacturers say they are primed and ready to face these challenges.